Exhalation-type ketone measurement device and measurement system

Abstract

Disclosed are a exhalation-type ketone measurement device and a measurement system.　An exhalation-type ketone measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention is compact and thus easy to carry, has a functional button and a display arranged in a row and thus has improved operability and visibility despite being compact, and is configured such that an inlet of an exhalation guide is shielded to increase hygiene when the device is not in use. A measurement system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the exhalation-type ketone measurement device and a smart communication device are linked, thus making it possible to continuously manage a user's health by using ketone measurement and analysis via an application.

Description

Exhaled ketone meter and measurement system

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of measuring ketones, which measures the concentration of acetone contained in the exhaled breath of a subject (user). More specifically, it relates to an exhaled ketone meter and a measuring system including the same, characterized by being portable with a compact size and having a built-in rechargeable battery, having improved visibility and usability with the control unit and display unit arranged in a line, and having improved hygiene by being able to shield the opening of the exhalation guide.

[0002] The energy used by the human body consists mainly of blood sugar, known as glucose, protein, and body fat. It is known that the human body uses blood sugar as energy first, then protein, and finally fat.

[0003] Therefore, normally blood sugar is used as the primary energy source, but in special situations, such as when there is diabetes, a state of starvation due to fasting, a state of energy depletion due to strenuous exercise, or when undergoing dietary therapy such as restricting carbohydrate intake, body fat is used as an energy source.

[0004] When the human body uses body fat as an energy source, ketone bodies are produced as a byproduct of fat breakdown. These ketone bodies are a collective term for three substances, including acetoacetic acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetone, which is generated from the decarboxylation of these substances. It is known that ketone bodies are produced in the liver, circulate through the blood, are used as an energy source in the brain, and the remainder is excreted through exhaled gas via the lungs and urine. Since detecting minute amounts of ketone bodies in the blood allows one to determine the extent of body fat burning, the detection of blood ketone bodies can be very useful in diet programs aimed at body fat reduction.

[0005] The most common methods for determining the concentration of ketone bodies in the human body are urine and blood tests.

[0006] Urine testing is a method that determines the concentration of ketone bodies in the human body through changes in the color of a test strip based on the concentration of ketone bodies contained in urine, and it has the advantage of being a relatively simple measurement method. However, since urine testing indicates the concentration of ketone bodies in the body from about four hours prior, it is unsuitable as a means to determine the current concentration. Furthermore, it is not suitable as a quantitative analysis method because the test results vary significantly depending on factors such as fluid intake.

[0007] While blood tests can quantitatively measure the amount of ketone bodies currently present in the blood with relative accuracy, they involve the inconvenience of having to collect blood samples.

[0008] In addition to the aforementioned method for measuring ketone body concentration, a technique for measuring blood ketone body levels by analyzing exhaled gas has recently been studied. Since acetone contained in exhaled gas is closely related to the amount of ketone bodies in the blood, blood ketone body levels can be calculated by measuring the amount of acetone contained in exhaled gas. Among ketone bodies, exhaled gas mainly contains acetone.

[0009] For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,970,172 discloses a method for measuring the amount of acetone by reacting acetone contained in exhaled gas with a matrix material containing a nitroprusside salt and an amine.

[0010] Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 8,871,521 discloses an apparatus comprising a container having a powder that changes color upon reaction with ketone bodies (primarily acetone) contained in exhaled gas. However, this method has the problem that it cannot measure the amount of ketone bodies contained in exhaled gas in real time.

[0011] As a method to improve these problems, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003-0208133 discloses a method for measuring the metabolic rate and the amount of ketone bodies contained in exhaled gas, and estimating the amount of body fat breakdown using the measured metabolic rate and the amount of ketone bodies.

[0012] However, these devices have a complex structure and are difficult to carry.

[0013] One objective of the present invention is to provide an exhaled ketone meter that is compact and easy to carry, improves operability and visibility by arranging functional buttons and a display in a row despite its compact size, and enhances hygiene by shielding the inlet of the exhalation guide when not in use.

[0014] The objective of this invention is to provide an aerobic ketone measurement system that enables continuous management of a user's health status by using ketone measurement and analysis through an app, by linking an aerobic ketone measuring device with a smart communication device.

[0015] The technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0016] One aspect of the present invention comprises: a case (110) having an open upper and lower surface (113, 115) and a part of the front surface (111); a lower cover (120) coupled to shield the open lower surface (115) of the case (110); a control module (130) embedded in the case (110) and supported by the lower cover (120); an upper cover (140) comprising a horizontal portion (141) shielding the open upper surface (113) of the case (110) and a vertical portion (143) that shields the open portion of the front surface (111) while being bent vertically from the end of the horizontal portion; and a push-type power button (150) installed on the lower side of the vertical portion (143). An exhalation guide (160) comprising a coupling part (161) coupled to the upper inner surface of the vertical part (143), and a guide pipe (162) that extends horizontally from the coupling part to the rear surface (117) of the case (110) and guides the incoming exhalation to an exhaust port (117a) provided on the rear surface of the case; a mouth tube (170) that penetrates the vertical part (143) and is detachably inserted into the front interior of the guide pipe (162) to blow the user's exhalation into the exhalation guide (160); and an acetone measuring sensor (180) installed on the flow path of the exhalation guide (160) to measure the amount of acetone contained in the exhalation incoming into the exhalation guide and transmit it to the control module (130). The present invention provides an exhaled ketone measuring device comprising: a display panel (190) installed directly below the horizontal section (141), which quantifies and outputs the amount of acetone measured transmitted to the control module (130), wherein the output screen is displayed externally through the horizontal section (141).

[0017] Preferably, the device may further include a rechargeable battery (200) that is embedded in the case (110), connected to a charging terminal (121) provided in the lower cover (120), and supplies power to the control module (130), acetone measurement sensor (180), and display panel (190).

[0018] Preferably, the vertical portion (143) may be provided with an opening / closing member (210) for opening and closing the inlet of the exhalation guide (160) by a sliding method.

[0019] Preferably, the opening / closing member (210) comprises: a vertical elongated hole (211) provided in the vertical section (143); a flat guide plate (213b) provided on the rear side of the vertical section (143) on the side of the elongated hole, having an opening / closing hole (213a) communicating with the inlet (160a) of the exhalation guide (160) and a guide slot (213b-1) formed extending downward while communicating with the lower end of the opening / closing hole; a rim section (213c) provided to protrude rearwardly from the outer surface of the guide plate and to which the coupling section (161) is coupled; and an opening / closing cap (215) installed within the elongated hole (211) and sliding along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole to selectively open and close the opening / closing hole (213a). and includes a holder cap (217) which is positioned on the rear side of the guide plate (213b) and coupled to the opening / closing cap (215) by a screw (219), wherein the screw (219) can be guided along the guide slot (213b-1) to enable sliding of the opening / closing cap.

[0020] Preferably, the power button (150) may be provided with a battery status indicator (151) whose light color changes according to the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery (200).

[0021] This aspect of the present invention provides an exhaled ketone measurement system comprising: a smart communication device connected to the exhaled measuring device via short-range wired / wireless communication and having an app installed thereon for controlling the exhaled measuring device and transmitting and receiving mutual data; and a web server connected to the smart communication device via wired / wireless internet communication to enable bidirectional data communication, having a diagnostic and analysis tool installed thereon to diagnose and analyze data measured from the exhaled measuring device, and storing and managing the analyzed data in a database.

[0022] The present invention has the advantage of being portable as it has a compact size and a built-in rechargeable battery.

[0023] In addition, the control unit and display unit are arranged in a line, which has the advantage of improved visibility and usability.

[0024] In addition, the mouth tube is detachable for replacement, and the opening of the exhalation guide can be sealed, which has the advantage of enhancing hygiene.

[0025] In addition, since the power button is equipped with a battery status indicator, the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery can be easily recognized visually through changes in lighting color.

[0026] In addition, by linking the exhaled ketone meter with a smart communication device, there is an advantage in being able to continuously manage the user's health status by measuring and analyzing ketones through an app.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description of the invention or the claims.

[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an aerobic ketone meter according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an opening / closing member according to the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of an aerobic ketone meter according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the separation state of the mouse tube of the aerobic ketone meter according to the present invention,

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state of blowing exhaled air into the mouse tube of the exhaled ketone meter according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of change of the display panel when exhaled breath is blown into the exhaled ketone meter according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the change in the battery status indicator light according to the battery status in the aerobic ketone meter according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an opening / closing member according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of an opening / closing member according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a drawing of a pouch according to the present invention.

[0038] It should be noted that the technical terms used in this invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, unless specifically defined otherwise in this invention, the technical terms used in this invention should be interpreted in the sense generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly broad or overly narrow sense.

[0039]

[0040] The exhaled ketone meter (100) according to the present invention is for measuring the concentration of acetone contained in the exhaled breath of a subject (user) and may include a case (110), a lower cover (120), a control module (130), an upper cover (140), a power button (150), an exhalation guide (160), a mouth tube (170), an acetone measurement sensor (180), and a display panel (190).

[0041]

[0042] The above case (110) is a plastic molded product having a thin rectangular box structure, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and is small and light in terms of its structure and material, making it easy to carry and hold.

[0043] The above case (110) has the entire upper surface (113) and lower surface (115) and a part of the front surface (111) open so that internal components can be installed through the upper and lower surfaces (113, 115).

[0044]

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower cover (120) is coupled to shield the open lower surface (115) of the case (110). Here, a charging terminal (121) for charging a rechargeable battery, which will be described later, may be provided on the lower cover (120). As another example, a wireless charging module (not shown) capable of wireless charging may be installed instead of the charging terminal.

[0046]

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the control module (130) is embedded in the case (110) and can be supported by the lower cover (120). That is, the lower end of the control module (130) is supported on the upper surface of the lower cover (120) in the drawing, so that when embedded in the case (110), the lower cover (120) is also assembled together with the lower part of the case (110).

[0048] The control module (130) is electrically connected to the power button (150), acetone measurement sensor (180), display panel (190), etc. In particular, it functions to convert the measurement value measured by the acetone measurement sensor (180) into a digital signal and transmit it to the display panel (190), and also includes a communication module so that data transmission and reception with a smart communication device to be described later is possible.

[0049]

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper cover (140) may be composed of a horizontal portion (141) that shields the open upper surface (113) of the case (110) and a vertical portion (143) that shields the open portion of the front surface (111) while being bent vertically from the end of the horizontal portion.

[0051] A partially transparent portion may be formed in the horizontal portion (141) so that the output pattern of the display panel (190) can be visually seen.

[0052] The vertical section (143) may be provided with an opening / closing member (210) for opening and closing the inlet (160a) of the exhalation guide (160) by a sliding method. The opening / closing member (210) is a type of sanitary means for preventing foreign substances from entering by blocking the inlet when the exhalation guide (160) is not in use.

[0053] In this embodiment, the opening / closing member (210) includes a vertical elongated hole (211) provided in the vertical portion (143), as shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9.

[0054] The above opening / closing member (210) further includes a guide member (213) comprising a track-shaped guide plate (213b) provided on the rear side of the vertical part (143) on the elongated hole side, and a rim part (213c) provided to protrude backward from the outer surface of the guide plate.

[0055] Here, an opening / closing hole (213a) is formed on the guide plate (213b) that communicates with the inlet (160a) of the exhalation guide (160), and a guide slot (213b-1) that extends downward while communicating with the bottom of the opening / closing hole may be formed.

[0056] Additionally, the connecting part (161) can be connected to the rear end of the rim part (213c) with a screw. Accordingly, the space between the connecting part (161) and the rear surface of the guide plate (213b) is spaced apart by the protrusion height of the rim part.

[0057] The above-described opening / closing member (210) further includes an opening / closing cap (215) that is installed within the above-described slot (211) and slides along the longitudinal direction of the slot to selectively open / close the above-described opening / closing hole (213a). Here, since the above-described opening / closing hole (213a) is connected to the inlet (160a) of the above-described exhalation guide (160), it will be understood that if the opening / closing hole is blocked, the inlet of the exhalation guide is also blocked.

[0058] Meanwhile, irregularities (215a) may be formed on the surface of the opening / closing cap (215) to increase friction with the user's finger during sliding operation.

[0059] The above opening / closing member (210) further includes a holder cap (217) which is coupled to the opening / closing cap (215) by a screw (219) while being positioned on the rear surface of the guide plate (213b). Here, since the holder cap (217) is located within the area of ​​the rim portion (213c), it is in a state where it can slide together with the opening / closing cap (215).

[0060] Accordingly, the opening / closing cap (215) and the holder cap (217) are mutually coupled with the guide plate (213b) in between, as shown in FIG. 9, and the screw (219) is positioned within the guide slot (213b-1), so that sliding movement is possible through the screw and the guide slot.

[0061] In this way, since the opening / closing cap (215) has a sliding structure, the opening / closing hole (213a) can be opened when the exhaled ketone meter (100) is in use, and the opening / closing hole (213a) can be closed when not in use to prevent foreign substances or dust from entering, making it hygienic.

[0062]

[0063] The above push-type power button (150) is installed on the lower side of the vertical section (143) and is a button for turning the power on / off of the exhaled ketone meter (100).

[0064] In this embodiment, a battery status indicator light (151) may be provided on the push-type power button (150), the color of which changes according to the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery (200).

[0065] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the power is off, it is turned off (a), and when it is on, it is turned on. The color may change to a blue light when the rechargeable battery (200) is 30% or more, an orange light when it is less than 30%, and a red light (d) when charging is required. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the battery status when operating the power button (150).

[0066]

[0067] The exhalation guide (160) is for guiding exhalation and, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, may be composed of a connecting part (161) that is connected to the edge part (213c) of the guide member (213) and a guide pipe (162) that extends horizontally from the connecting part to the rear side (117) of the case (110) and guides the incoming exhalation to an exhaust port (117a) provided on the rear side of the case.

[0068] Here, a mounting hole (162a) for installing the acetone measuring sensor (180) may be provided at a predetermined lower position of the guide pipe (162).

[0069]

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the above mouse tube (170) is for blowing the user's exhaled breath into the exhalation guide (160) and is inserted detachably through the vertical section (143) into the front side interior of the guide pipe (162).

[0071] The above mouse tube (170) is detachable, so it can be washed and reused after use. If the mouse tube is not available, it can be replaced with a commercially available straw (170a) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0072]

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the above acetone measuring sensor (180) is installed in the flow path through the installation hole (162a) of the exhalation guide (160) and serves to measure the amount of acetone contained in the exhaled breath introduced into the exhalation guide and transmit it to the control module (130).

[0074] The above acetone measuring sensor (18) may be, for example, a semiconductor gas sensor, but is not limited thereto, and a chemical sensor that reacts to acetone may also be applied.

[0075]

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel (190) may be installed directly below the horizontal section (141) and may be provided with an output section (191) that digitizes and outputs the acetone measurement amount transmitted to the control module (130), and an exhalation time indicator (192) in which a multi-stage arrow is sequentially lit to ensure an appropriate amount of exhalation when exhaling.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the exhalation time indicator (192) is recognized as normal exhalation only when all three arrows are lit up, and the acetone measurement amount is output to the output unit (191) only when all three arrows are lit up.

[0078]

[0079] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10, the aerobic ketone meter (100) according to the present invention can be stored in the first storage portion (310) of the pouch (300), and a number of mouse tubes (170) can be stored in the second storage portion (320).

[0080] The above first and second storage compartments (310, 320) can be unfolded around their boundaries, and when folded, they can be sealed with a zipper (330) on the edge.

[0081]

[0082] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, a measurement system using the exhaled ketone meter (100) may be configured to include a smart communication device (not shown) that is linked to the exhaled meter (100) via short-range wired / wireless communication and has an app installed to control the exhaled meter and transmit and receive mutual data, and a web server that is connected to the smart communication device via wired / wireless internet communication to enable bidirectional data communication, has a diagnostic and analysis tool installed to diagnose and analyze data measured from the exhaled meter, and stores and manages the analyzed data in a database.

[0083] In this way, by linking the exhaled ketone meter with a smart communication device, the user's health status can be continuously managed through data management and analysis of ketone measurements.

[0084]

[0085] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0086] 100: Exhaled Ketone Meter 110: Case

[0087] 120 : Lower cover 130 : Control module

[0088] 140 : Top cover 150 : Power button

[0089] 160: Exhalation Guide 170: Mouth Tube

[0090] 180: Acetone measurement sensor 190: Display panel

[0091] 210 : Opening / closing member 211 : Elongated hole

[0092] 213: Guide component 215: Opening / closing cap

[0093] 217 : Holder cap 219 : Screw

[0094] 300 : Pouch

Claims

1. A case (110) in which the entire upper and lower surfaces (113, 115) and a part of the front surface (111) are open; A lower cover (120) coupled to shield the open lower surface (115) of the above case (110); A control module (130) embedded in the above case (110) and supported by the above lower cover (120); An upper cover (140) comprising a horizontal portion (141) that shields the open upper surface (113) of the case (110), and a vertical portion (143) that shields the open portion of the front surface (111) while being bent vertically from the end of the horizontal portion; A push-type power button (150) installed on the lower side of the vertical section (143); An exhalation guide (160) comprising a coupling part (161) coupled to the upper inner surface of the vertical part (143), and a guide pipe (162) that extends horizontally from the coupling part to the rear surface (117) of the case (110) and guides the incoming exhalation to an exhaust port (117a) provided on the rear surface of the case; A mouth tube (170) that is detachably inserted through the vertical section (143) into the front side interior of the guide pipe (162) and blows the user's exhaled breath into the exhalation guide (160); An acetone measuring sensor (180) installed on the flow path of the exhalation guide (160) and measuring the amount of acetone contained in the exhaled breath flowing into the exhalation guide and transmitting it to the control module (130); and An exhaled ketone meter comprising: a display panel (190) installed directly below the horizontal section (141), which quantifies and outputs the amount of acetone measured transmitted to the control module (130), wherein the output screen is displayed externally through the horizontal section (141).

2. In Claim 1, An exhaled ketone meter characterized by further including a rechargeable battery (200) that is built into the case (110), is connected to a charging terminal (121) provided in the lower cover (120), and supplies power to the control module (130), acetone measurement sensor (180), and display panel (190).

3. In Claim 1, An exhalation ketone meter characterized by having an opening / closing member (210) provided in the vertical section (143) to open / close the inlet of the exhalation guide (160) by a sliding method.

4. In Claim 3, The above opening / closing member (210) is, A vertical elongated hole (211) provided in the above vertical section (143); A guide member (213) comprising: a flat guide plate (213b) provided on the rear side of the vertical portion (143) on the elongated hole side, having an opening / closing hole (213a) communicating with the inlet (160a) of the exhalation guide (160) and a guide slot (213b-1) formed extending downward while communicating with the lower end of the opening / closing hole; and a rim portion (213c) provided to protrude rearward from the outer surface of the guide plate and to which the coupling portion (161) is coupled; An opening / closing cap (215) installed within the above-mentioned elongated hole (211) and sliding along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole to selectively open / close the above-mentioned opening / closing hole (213a); and It includes a holder cap (217) which is positioned on the rear side of the guide plate (213b) and coupled to the opening / closing cap (215) by a screw (219), The above screw (219) is characterized by enabling the sliding of the opening / closing cap while being guided along the guide slot (213b-1), in an exhaled ketone meter.

5. In Claim 2, An exhaled ketone meter characterized by having a battery status indicator light (151) provided on the power button (150), the light color of which changes according to the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery (200).

6. Includes an exhalation measuring device (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 5, A smart communication device (300) that is linked to the above exhalation measuring device using short-range wired / wireless communication, and has an app installed to control the above exhalation measuring device and transmit and receive mutual data; and An exhaled ketone measuring system comprising: a web server (400) which is connected to the smart communication device and wired / wireless internet communication to enable bidirectional data communication, and which has a diagnostic and analysis tool installed to diagnose and analyze data measured from the exhaled measuring device and stores and manages the analyzed data in a database.

Images