Wearable apparatus, assay system, and determination method

Abstract

A wearable device is a wearable device that can be worn by a user and is capable of performing an impedance measurement process on a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, the wearable device including: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation unit that estimates a body shape of the user wearing the wearable device; and a control unit that determines a combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes to be used in the impedance measurement of the living body based on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wearable apparatus, a measurement system, and a determination method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a device that measures water contained in a living body is known. For example, a lung water amount display device that measures and displays the amount of water in the lungs based on a bioelectrical impedance method is disclosed in Patent Literature 1.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-218748 SUMMARY

[0006] In the case of using the bioelectrical impedance method that passes a current through a living body to measure the impedance of the living body, as in the device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an electrode used to pass a current through the living body is connected (contacted) to the living body. However, depending on the position at which the electrode is connected to the living body, the depth of penetration of the current applied to the living body differs. Therefore, there are cases in which the current does not reach a position in the living body where water is contained, depending on the position at which the electrode is connected to the living body, and the impedance of the living body cannot be accurately measured. For example, if the depth of penetration of the current applied to the living body is shallow, there are cases in which the impedance of the site where water is contained cannot be measured, even if water remains in the lungs due to pulmonary edema or the like. In this case, the state of the living body cannot be accurately diagnosed.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wearable apparatus, a measurement system, and a determination method that can measure water contained in a living body with higher accuracy.

[0008] The wearable apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure can be worn by a user and can perform a measurement process of the impedance of a living body by applying a current to the living body, and includes: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation unit that estimates the body shape of the user who wears the wearable apparatus; and a control unit that determines a combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body based on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation unit.

[0009] In the wearable apparatus of one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body shape estimation unit is configured to include a fastening unit that fastens at least a part of the wearable apparatus, and the wearable apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores a correspondence between the degree of fastening by the fastening unit and the combination of the electrodes, and the control unit determines the combination of the electrodes based on the degree of fastening by the fastening unit with reference to the storage unit.

[0010] In the wearable equipment as one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body shape estimation section is configured to include a stretch sensor that outputs an electric signal corresponding to a stretch amount of the wearable equipment, and the control section determines the combination of the electrodes based on the electric signal output from the stretch sensor.

[0011] The wearable equipment as one embodiment of the present disclosure has five or more electrodes, and the combination of the electrodes is constituted by four electrodes selected from the five or more electrodes.

[0012] The measurement system as the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a wearable equipment that can be worn by a user and that can perform a measurement process of an impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, and an information processing device, the wearable equipment including three or more electrodes, a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape of the user who wears the wearable equipment, and a communication section that transmits information related to the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section to the information processing device, the information processing device including a control section that determines a combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body based on the information related to the body shape of the user.

[0013] The determination method as the third aspect of the present disclosure is a determination method executed by a wearable equipment that can be worn by a user and that can perform a measurement process of an impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, and that includes three or more electrodes and a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape, the determination method including estimating a body shape of the user who wears the wearable equipment by the body shape estimation section, and determining a combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body based on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section.

[0014] Effects of Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wearable equipment, a measurement system, and a determination method that can measure moisture contained in a living body with higher accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline structure of the wearable equipment of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 is an outline view showing an example of a configuration of the electrodes in the wearable equipment of Figure 1

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the wearable equipment of Figure 2 is fastened with the fastening section. ​

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a 4-terminal method performed by the wearable equipment of Figure 1

[0020] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the process performed by the control section of Figure 1

[0021] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram showing the outline structure of the measurement system of the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 is a sequence chart showing an example of the process performed by the measurement system of Figure 6

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the manner of use of the measurement system of a modification example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the wearable equipment, the measurement system, and the determination method of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Common components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0025] (First Embodiment)

[0026] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the outline structure of the wearable equipment 10 of the first embodiment. The wearable equipment 10 is capable of measuring the impedance of a living body based on the bioelectrical impedance method. That is, the wearable equipment 10 is capable of measuring the impedance with respect to a specific site of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body. The wearable equipment 10 is capable of estimating the amount of moisture of the specific site and recording the change in the amount of moisture by measuring the impedance. For example, in the case where the specific site is wet, the electric current is likely to flow due to the influence of moisture as compared with the case where the specific site is dry. That is, the electric resistance of the specific site becomes small. By using this principle, the wearable equipment 10 is capable of estimating the amount of moisture of the specific site and recording the change in the amount of moisture.

[0027] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the wearable equipment 10 measures the impedance of the right lung of a living body as the specific site, and the following description will be made. By measuring the impedance of the right lung, it is possible to estimate whether moisture is present in the right lung. In addition, the specific site is not limited to the right lung. The specific site can also be the left lung. In addition, the specific site can also be a site other than the lung, such as a lower leg. The specific site can also be an arbitrary site that is an examination target of the presence of moisture.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 , the wearable equipment 10 includes a control section 11, an electrode section 12, a power supply section 13, a storage section 14, an input section 15, and a body shape estimation section 16.​​​

[0029] The control section 11 controls and manages the entire wearable equipment 10, including each function of the wearable equipment 10. The control section 11 is configured to include at least one processor. The control section 11 is constituted by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program in which a control sequence is defined, or a dedicated processor dedicated to processing of each function.

[0030] The control section 11 controls the application of current to the living body from the electrode section 12. The control section 11 controls the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body based on the bioelectrical impedance method. In addition, the control section 11 determines the combination of the electrodes among the plurality of electrodes that constitute the electrode section 12 to be used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body before the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body is performed. Details of the determination processing of the combination performed by the control section 11 will be described later.

[0031] The electrode section 12 is constituted by a plurality of electrodes. The number of electrodes possessed by the electrode section 12 is appropriately determined in accordance with the method of impedance measurement performed by the wearable equipment 10 or the like. In the present embodiment, the control section 11 performs impedance measurement using a combination of electrodes constituted by a part of the electrodes that constitute the electrode section 12. Therefore, the electrode section 12 is constituted by a larger number of electrodes than the number of electrodes used in the impedance measurement processing. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, impedance measurement is performed by the 4-terminal method. Therefore, impedance measurement uses 4 terminals. Thus, in the present embodiment, the electrode section 12 is constituted by 5 or more electrodes.

[0032] The electrodes that constitute the electrode section 12 are arranged in the wearable equipment 10. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the electrodes in the wearable equipment 10. Figure 2 An example in which the wearable equipment 10 is constituted by a T-shirt is shown. In the example shown in Figure 2 , 16 electrodes 120 are arranged in the T-shirt. The 16 electrodes 120 are arranged in a manner of 4 rows horizontally at positions that come into contact with the right chest of the user when the T-shirt is worn by the user. In each row, 4 electrodes 120 are arranged at equal intervals. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the electrode section 12 is constituted by 16 electrodes 120, and the electrodes 120 are arranged as shown in Figure 2 , and the following description will be made. By thus arranging the electrodes 120, the electrodes 120 come into contact with the right chest of the user in the vicinity of the right lung of the user when the T-shirt is worn by the user.

[0033] The power supply section 13 is a battery that supplies power to each function section of the wearable equipment 10. The power supply section 13 supplies power, for example, when current is applied to the living body from the electrode section 12.

[0034] The storage unit 14 can be constructed from semiconductor memory or magnetic memory, etc. The storage unit 14 stores, for example, various information and programs used to operate the wearable device 10. The storage unit 14 can also function as working memory. For example, the storage unit 14 establishes and stores a correspondence between the user's body shape estimated by the body shape estimation unit 16 (described later) and the combination of electrodes used in the bioimpedance measurement. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 stores the determined electrode combination, for example, when the control unit 11 determines the electrode combination through the electrode combination determination process. This determined electrode combination is the combination of electrodes used in the bioimpedance measurement process.

[0035] The input unit 15 accepts user input, such as operation buttons. The input unit 15 may also be a touchscreen, displaying an input area on a part of the display device that accepts user input via touch. For example, by performing a prescribed operation on the input unit 15, the user can initiate impedance measurement performed by the wearable device 10.

[0036] The body shape estimation unit 16 estimates the body shape of the user wearing the wearable equipment 10. The body shape estimation unit 16 may have any structure capable of estimating the body shape of the user wearing the wearable equipment 10.

[0037] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the body shape estimation part 16 is configured to include a fastening part 160. (As...) Figure 2 As shown, a fastening part 160 is provided on the wearable device 10. The fastening part 160 is capable of fastening at least a portion of the wearable device 10. Figure 2 In the example shown, the fastening part 160 is arranged along the lateral side of the T-shirt, which serves as the wearing equipment 10, that is, parallel to the row of the disposed electrodes 120. Figure 2 In the example shown, the fastener 160 is located near the bottom row of the four rows of electrodes 120, that is, near the row closest to the hem, and is located on the lower side, i.e. the hem side, compared to that row.

[0038] The fastening part 160, for example, has a wire inside. The fastening part 160 is configured to include, for example, a reel 161 capable of winding up the wire. By operating the reel 161 while the user is wearing the wearable equipment 10, the reel 161 can wind up the wire. By winding up the wire with the reel 161, the wearable equipment 10 is fastened to the user. At this time, the wearable equipment 10 is fastened in a way that conforms to the user's body shape. Figure 2 In the example shown, the reel 161 can secure the T-shirt laterally, i.e., along the user's waistline, by winding up the cord. By securing the wearable device 10 to the user, the wearable device 10 deforms into a shape that conforms to the user's body shape.

[0039] Figure 3 This means that the fastening part 160 is used to... Figure 2 A diagram showing what the worn equipment 10 looks like after it has been secured. (See diagram.) Figure 3 As shown, the wearable equipment 10 is secured using the fastening part 160, and the portion of the T-shirt containing the fastening part 160 is in close contact with the user. Simultaneously, the T-shirt as a whole deforms, and its shape adapts to the user's body shape. Figure 3 In the example shown, especially in a T-shirt, the shape of the part above the fastener 160 (i.e., the opposite side of the hem) is adapted to the body shape and varies in a way that is close to the user. As a result, the electrode 120 can easily come into contact with or be in close contact with the user wearing the wearable device 10.

[0040] The cable reel 161 has a mechanism for measuring the amount (length) of the cable wound. The cable reel 161 can measure the tightness based on the amount of the cable wound. The tightness is expressed as a numerical value, for example. The amount of the cable wound can also be used directly as a numerical value representing the tightness. The tightness can be used as a numerical value representing the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation unit 16. That is, the shape of the wearable equipment 10 changes to match the user's body shape due to the tightness, so the body shape of the user wearing the wearable equipment 10 can be estimated based on the deformation of the shape of the wearable equipment 10 using the tightness. The body shape estimation unit 16 sends the value representing the tightness measured by the cable reel 161 to the control unit 11, for example. As a result, the control unit 11 can obtain a value related to the tightness as information related to the user's body shape.

[0041] The control unit 11 determines the combination of electrodes among the multiple electrodes 120 used in the measurement of bio-impedance based on the user's body shape estimated by the body shape estimation unit 16. In this embodiment, the user's body shape estimated by the body shape estimation unit 16 is represented by a numerical value indicating the degree of tightness, as described above. This value indicating the degree of tightness varies accordingly with the degree of deformation of the wearable device 10. Therefore, based on the value indicating the degree of tightness, the degree of deformation of the wearable device 10 is estimated, and as a result, the position of each electrode 120 disposed on the deformed wearable device 10 in contact with the user wearing the wearable device 10 is estimated.

[0042] In, for example, Figure 3 When the wearable device 10 is fastened using the fastening part 160 as shown, the degree of deformation of the wearable device 10 is estimated based on the degree of fastening. Based on the degree of deformation of the wearable device 10, it is estimated which part of the user's body each electrode 120 contacts.

[0043] The control section 11 determines the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body on the basis of the positions of the electrodes 120 that are in contact with the user as above. Specifically, the control section 11 preferably determines the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body as the combination of electrodes that is most suitable for the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body. That is, the control section 11 determines the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body as the combination of electrodes that is most suitable for the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body in accordance with the estimated positions of the electrodes 120. The combination of electrodes that is most suitable for the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body is, for example, the combination in which the depth of current penetration into the living body is most likely to be deeper than a prescribed depth.

[0044] Specifically, the control section 11 can determine the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body on the basis of the information stored in the storage section 14, for example. In the storage section 14, information (a table of data) in which the degree of fastening of the fastening section 160, which is information related to the estimated body shape of the user, and the combination of electrodes that is most suitable for the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body corresponding to the degree of fastening are associated with each other is stored in advance. This information is constructed on the basis of the relationship between the arrangement of the electrodes 120 and the depth of current penetration, which is obtained in advance for a sufficient number of test subjects, for example. The control section 11 refers to this information stored in the storage section 14 in accordance with the value indicating the degree of fastening, and determines the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body.

[0045] Here, the processing performed by the wearable apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the wearable apparatus 10 measures the impedance by a method of so-called 4-terminal method.

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the 4-terminal method. In the 4-terminal method, four terminals (electrodes) are connected with respect to the measurement object 130. Specifically, a first set of terminals composed of the first terminal 131 and the second terminal 132 is connected to both ends of the measurement object 130, and a current is applied to the measurement object 130 by the first set of terminals. In addition, a second set of terminals composed of the third terminal 133 and the fourth terminal 134 is connected to the measurement object 130 between the first set of terminals, and a voltage between the second set of terminals is measured by the second set of terminals. The impedance between the second set of terminals can be calculated from the current applied to the measurement object 130 by the first set of terminals and the voltage measured by the second set of terminals. Here, in the 4-terminal method, the current at the connection sites of the third terminal 133 and the fourth terminal 134 to the measurement object 130 is small enough to be ignored, and thus the electrode resistance of the third terminal 133 and the fourth terminal 134 can be ignored. Therefore, the impedance can be measured with high accuracy according to the 4-terminal method.

[0047] The wearable apparatus 10 measures the impedance of the right lung using the 4-terminal method. Here, in the case of measuring the impedance of a living body, the depth of arrival of the electric current applied to the living body differs depending on the connection position of the 4 electrodes to the living body.

[0048] In view of this, the wearable apparatus 10 of the present embodiment executes a process of determining the combination of the electrodes 120 used in the measurement process of the impedance of a living body before executing the measurement process of the impedance of a living body.

[0049] Next, the details of the process executed by the wearable apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figure 5 The details of the process executed by the wearable apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the control section 11 of the wearable apparatus 10, and is a flowchart related to the process of determining the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of a living body. In the case of the wearable apparatus 10, for example, in a state in which the user wears the wearable apparatus 10 and fastens the wearable apparatus 10 by operating the reel 161, the process of Figure 5 the flowchart is started.

[0050] First, the control section 11 acquires the information related to the body shape of the user that is estimated by the body shape estimation section 16. In the present embodiment, the control section 11 acquires information related to the degree of fastening by the fastening section 160 as the information related to the body shape of the user that is estimated by the body shape estimation section 16 (step S11).

[0051] Then, the control section 11 refers to the information stored in the storage section 14, and determines one combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of a living body in accordance with the information related to the degree of fastening acquired in step S11 (step S12).

[0052] The control section 11, after determining one combination used in the measurement process of the impedance of a living body as such, executes the measurement process of the impedance of a living body using the electrodes 120 of the determined combination.

[0053] Thus, according to the wearable apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the control section 11 determines the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of a living body on the basis of the information related to the body shape of the user that is estimated by the body shape estimation section 16, i.e., the information related to the degree of fastening by the fastening section 160. Therefore, according to the wearable apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to select, as the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of a living body, the electrodes 120 of the plurality of electrodes 120 that contact the user and that are suitable for the measurement process of the impedance of a living body in accordance with the body shape of the user indicated by the degree of fastening. Thus, according to the wearable apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to measure the moisture contained in a living body with higher accuracy.

[0054] Further, according to the wearable equipment 10 of the present embodiment, the body shape estimation section 16 is configured to include the fastening section 160, and the storage section 14 stores a correspondence between a degree of fastening by the fastening section 160 and a combination of electrodes corresponding to the degree of fastening. The control section 11 refers to the storage section 14 and determines the combination of electrodes based on the degree of fastening by the fastening section 160. Thus, the wearable equipment 10 can select the combination of electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body in accordance with the degree of fastening by the fastening section 160, in cooperation with the body shape of the user. Thus, according to the wearable equipment 10 of the present embodiment, the moisture contained in the living body can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0055] Further, the wearable equipment 10 of the present embodiment is provided with five or more electrodes 120, and the combination of electrodes 120 is constituted by four electrodes selected from the five or more electrodes 120. Thus, the wearable equipment 10 of the present embodiment can be configured as a device that measures impedance using the four-terminal method.

[0056] Further, in the present embodiment, the fastening section 160 is described as being arranged along the lateral direction of the T-shirt that is the wearable equipment 10. However, the fastening section 160 can be arranged along other directions. For example, the fastening section 160 can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the T-shirt, that is, in parallel with the column in which the electrodes 120 are arranged. The fastening section 160 can be arranged in a direction other than the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. Further, the fastening section 160 can be arranged in a plurality of directions such as the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0057] Further, in the present embodiment, the fastening section 160 is described as being arranged in the vicinity of the row of electrodes 120 closest to the hem, among the four rows arranged laterally, and being arranged further toward the hem than the row. However, the position at which the fastening section 160 is arranged is not limited to this position. The fastening section 160 can be arranged at other positions. The fastening section 160 only needs to be arranged at a position at which at least a part of the wearable equipment 10 can be fastened.

[0058] Further, a plurality of fastening sections 160 can be provided. For example, in the T-shirt that is the wearable equipment 10, a plurality of fastening sections 160 can be provided at different heights, that is, at different positions from the hem, along the lateral direction. In this case, the wearable equipment 10 can be fastened at different positions of the user, and thus the body shape of the user can be estimated more accurately.

[0059] (Second Embodiment)

[0060] In the first embodiment, an example in which the present disclosure is configured as the wearable equipment 10 is described. However, the present disclosure does not necessarily have to be configured only by the wearable equipment 10. For example, the present disclosure can be configured as a measurement system including the wearable equipment 10 and another device. An example in which the present disclosure is configured as a measurement system is described as a second embodiment.

[0061] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram showing an outline structure of the measurement system 20 of the second embodiment. The measurement system 20 is provided with the wearable apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 40. The wearable apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 40 are connectable in information communication with each other through wired communication or wireless communication. The measurement system 20 realizes the functions of the wearable apparatus 10 of the first embodiment using the wearable apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 40. Hereinafter, for the same points as the first embodiment, the description is appropriately omitted, and the description is made centering on the different points.

[0062] The wearable apparatus 30 is capable of measuring the impedance of a living body based on the bioelectrical impedance method. As shown in FIG. 2, the wearable apparatus 30 is provided with a control section 31, an electrode section 32, a power supply section 33, a storage section 34, an input section 35, a body shape estimation section 36, and a communication section 37. Figure 6

[0063] In the wearable apparatus 30 of the present embodiment, the structures and functions of the electrode section 32, the power supply section 33, the storage section 34, the input section 35, and the body shape estimation section 36 are respectively the same as those of the electrode section 12, the power supply section 13, the storage section 14, the input section 15, and the body shape estimation section 16 of the wearable apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted here.

[0064] In the wearable apparatus 30, the control section 31 controls and manages the entire wearable apparatus 30 with the respective functional sections of the wearable apparatus 30 as a whole. In the present embodiment, the control section 31 controls the application of the electric current to the living body from the electrode section 32 based on the control signal received from the information processing apparatus 40. In addition, the control section 31 transmits the information on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section 16 to the information processing apparatus 40 via the communication section 37.

[0065] The communication section 37 performs transmission and reception of various information through wired communication or wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 40. For example, the communication section 37 receives the signal to execute the application of the electric current to the living body from the information processing apparatus 40. In addition, for example, the communication section 37 transmits the information on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section 36 of the wearable apparatus 30 to the information processing apparatus 40.

[0066] ​The information processing apparatus 40 is constituted by an electronic device such as a computer apparatus or a terminal apparatus, for example. The information processing apparatus 40 controls the application of electric current to the living body in the wearable equipment 30 and performs various information processing based on information received from the wearable equipment 30. The information processing apparatus 40 determines the combination of electrodes among the plurality of electrodes that constitute the electrode section 32 of the wearable equipment 30 to be used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body, for example. An application software for performing the processing of determining the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body can be installed in the information processing apparatus 40 in advance, for example.

[0067] The information processing apparatus 40 is provided with a control section 41, a storage section 44, an input section 45, a display section 46, and a communication section 47, for example, as shown in Figure 6

[0068] The control section 41 controls and manages the entire information processing apparatus 40 including each functional section thereof. The control section 41 is constituted to include at least one processor. The control section 41 is constituted by a processor such as a CPU that executes a program in which the control sequence is defined or a dedicated processor dedicated to the processing of each function.

[0069] The control section 41 generates a control signal for performing the application of electric current to the living body by the wearable equipment 30 and transmits it to the wearable equipment 30 via the communication section 47. In addition, the control section 41 determines the combination of electrodes among the plurality of electrodes that constitute the electrode section 32 to be used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body based on information received from the wearable equipment 30 before performing the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body based on the wearable equipment 30. The method of determination can be the same as that performed by the wearable equipment 10 of the first embodiment.

[0070] The storage section 44 can be constituted by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory, for example. The storage section 44 stores various information and programs for causing the information processing apparatus 40 to act, for example. The storage section 44 can also function as a work memory. The storage section 44 stores the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section 36 in correspondence with the combination of electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body, for example. In addition, the storage section 44 stores the determined combination of electrodes when the control section 41 determines the combination of electrodes through the determination processing of the combination of electrodes, for example.

[0071] The input section 45 accepts operation input from the user and is constituted by an operation button, for example. The input section 45 can also be constituted by a touch screen, for example, and accepts touch operation input from the user by displaying an input region that accepts operation input from the user on a part of a display device. The user can cause the measurement of the impedance of the wearable equipment 30 to start by causing the information processing apparatus 40 to start control by performing a prescribed operation input to the input section 45, for example.

[0072] ​Display unit 46 is a display device composed of well-known displays such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or organic electroluminescence displays (OELs). Display unit 46 displays various information. For example, display unit 46 indicates that the measurement process of the biological impedance is being performed. Thus, the user observing the display can know that the measurement process of the biological impedance is being performed.

[0073] The communication unit 47 transmits and receives various types of information by engaging in wired or wireless communication with the wearable device 30. For example, the communication unit 47 sends a control signal to the wearable device 30, causing it to apply an electric current to a biological body. Additionally, for example, the communication unit 47 receives information about the user's body shape estimated by the body shape estimation unit 36 ​​from the wearable device 30.

[0074] Here, refer to Figure 7 Details of the processing performed by the measurement system 20 are explained. Figure 7 It means by Figure 6 The sequence diagram of one example of the processing performed by the measurement system 20 is a sequence diagram related to the processing of determining the combination of electrodes used in the measurement of impedance in a biological organism. Figure 7 The sequence begins, for example, after the user has put on the wearable equipment 30 and secured it by operating the reel 161.

[0075] In the process of determining the combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of a living organism, firstly, the information processing device 40 sends a control signal to the wearable device 30 to perform the estimation process of the user's body shape (step S21).

[0076] After receiving a control signal from the information processing device 40, the wearable device 30 measures the tightness of the fastening part 160 of the body shape estimation part 36, which is information related to the user's body shape, on the wearable device 30 (step S22).

[0077] Next, the wearing equipment 30 sends the measurement results of the tightness in step S22 to the information processing device 40 (step S23).

[0078] After receiving the measurement results based on the tightness of the wearable device 30, the information processing device 40, referring to the information stored in the storage unit 44, determines a combination of electrodes to be used in the measurement of the bio-impedance based on the tightness-related information obtained in step S23 (step S24). The specific processing in step S24 can be related to... Figure 4the same as the step S12. In this way, the information processing apparatus 40, after deciding one combination to be used in the measurement process of the impedance of the living body, performs the measurement process of the impedance of the living body using the electrodes 120 of the decided combination.

[0079] In this way, even if the measurement system 20 of the present embodiment is used, the combination of the electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body is selected in accordance with the body shape of the user. Therefore, even if the measurement system 20 is used, the moisture contained in the living body can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0080] In the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the wearing equipment 30 provides the information related to the fastening degree, which is information related to the body shape of the user, to the information processing apparatus 40 via the communication section 37 is described. However, the information related to the fastening degree can also be provided to the information processing apparatus 40 without necessarily via the communication section 37.

[0081] For example, the information related to the fastening degree can also be provided to the information processing apparatus 40 by the user through the operation input section 45. In this case, for example Figure 8 It is schematically shown that the fastening section 160 has a display section 162 that displays a numerical value indicating the fastening degree. The display section 162 that displays the numerical value indicating the fastening degree is constituted by, for example, a dial that displays a numerical value in accordance with the winding amount of the winder 161.

[0082] In this case, the user confirms the numerical value indicated by the dial in a state where the wearing equipment 10 is worn and fastened by the user operating the winder 161. The user inputs the read numerical value to the input section 45 of the information processing apparatus 40 as Figure 8 indicated. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 40 can acquire the numerical value as information indicating the fastening degree. The information processing apparatus 40, in accordance with the acquired information related to the fastening degree, decides one combination of the electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body, in the same way as the step S24. Figure 7

[0083] In this way, even if the information related to the fastening degree is input by the user, the combination of the electrodes to be used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body is selected in accordance with the body shape of the user. Therefore, even if the measurement system 20 is used, the moisture contained in the living body can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0084] (Third Embodiment)

[0085] ​In the above-described first embodiment, a case where the body shape estimation section 16 is configured to include the fastening section 160 was described. However, the body shape estimation section 16 can not necessarily be configured to include the fastening section 160. The body shape estimation section 16 only needs to have a structure capable of estimating the body shape of the user who wears the wearable equipment 10. Here, as a third embodiment, a case where the body shape estimation section 16 is configured to include a stretch sensor that measures a stretch amount will be described. Further, in the third embodiment, the functional module that the wearable equipment 10 is provided with can be the same as that of the wearable equipment 10 of the first embodiment. Here, a case where the wearable equipment 10 of the third embodiment is provided with the same functional module as that of the wearable equipment 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0086] In the third embodiment, the wearable equipment 10 is configured as a stretchable garment of a free size. Specifically, the wearable equipment 10 is configured to include, for example, a material such as urethane that has a high stretchability. The wearable equipment 10 stretches and deforms in accordance with the body shape of the user when the user wears the wearable equipment 10.

[0087] The wearable equipment 10 is configured to include, as the body shape estimation section 16, a stretch sensor that measures a stretch amount. The stretch sensor is provided in the wearable equipment 10 at a position at which at least the stretch amount of the portion in which the electrode 120 is arranged can be measured. On the wearable equipment 10, a plurality of stretch sensors are arranged at appropriate positions.

[0088] The stretch sensor can be configured by any known sensor that measures a stretch amount. For example, the stretch sensor is a sensor in which a resistance changes in accordance with a stretch amount, and the stretch amount is measured by using the change in the resistance as a sensor function.

[0089] When the user wears the wearable equipment 10, the stretch sensor extends as the wearable equipment 10 deforms in accordance with the body shape of the user. The stretch sensor outputs an electric signal corresponding to the stretch amount to the control section 11. Thus, the stretch sensor can transmit the electric signal of the measurement result of the stretch amount, which is information related to the body shape of the user, to the control section 11. In the present embodiment, the degree of deformation of the wearable equipment 10 is estimated from the electric signal of the measurement result of the stretch amount of the stretch sensor, and as a result, the positions at which each of the electrodes 120 arranged on the wearable equipment 10 in the deformed state contacts the user who wears the wearable equipment 10 are estimated.

[0090] As in the first embodiment, the storage section 14 stores in correspondence the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section 16 described later and the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the storage section 14 stores in correspondence the electric signal of the measurement result of the stretch amount received from each of the stretch sensors, which is information related to the body shape of the user, and the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body.

[0091] The control section 11, if receiving the electric signal of the measurement result of the stretch amount from the stretch sensor that constitutes the body shape estimation section 16, refers to the information stored in the storage section 14, and decides one combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body corresponding to the electric signal of the measurement result of the stretch amount. The control section 11, after deciding one combination used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body like this, executes the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body using the electrodes 120 of the decided combination.

[0092] Thus, with the wearable equipment 10 of the third embodiment, the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body is selected in cooperation with the body shape of the user. Therefore, the moisture contained in the living body can be measured with higher accuracy. In addition, according to the wearable equipment 10 of the third embodiment, the body shape estimation section 16 can estimate the body shape of the user only by the user wearing the wearable equipment 10, and therefore the user does not need to perform any operation on the wearable equipment 10 in order to decide one combination of the electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body. Therefore, the convenience for the user is high.

[0093] Further, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the measurement of the impedance is performed using the 4-terminal method is described. However, the present disclosure is also applicable to methods other than the 4-terminal method, for example, is also applicable in the case where the measurement of the impedance is performed using the 2-terminal method.

[0094] In the case where the measurement of the impedance is performed using the 2-terminal method, 2 terminals are used in the measurement of the impedance. Therefore, in this case, the electrode section 12 can be constituted by 3 or more electrodes. In this case, the combination of the electrodes used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body is constituted by 2 electrodes selected from the 3 or more electrodes. In the case of the 2-terminal method, the measurement of the impedance can be performed by a smaller number of terminals.

[0095] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the electrode section 12 is constituted by 16 electrodes 120 is described. However, the number of the electrodes 120 provided to the electrode section 12 is not limited to this. The electrode section 12 can be provided with an appropriate number of electrodes 120 corresponding to the specifications of the wearable equipment 10 or the like. Further, the more the number of the electrodes 120 provided to the electrode section 12, the more the candidates of the combination of the terminals used in the measurement processing of the impedance of the living body. Therefore, the more the number of the electrodes 120 provided to the electrode section 12, the higher the possibility of the combination where the arrival depth of the electric current is deeper.

[0096] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the 16 electrodes 120 are arranged at equal intervals in 4 rows horizontally is described. However, the arrangement of the electrodes 120 is not limited to this. The electrodes 120 can be arranged as appropriate in the wearable equipment.

[0097] In addition, the body shape estimation section is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The body shape estimation section can be configured by any mechanism capable of estimating the body shape of a user wearing the wearable equipment.

[0098] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the wearable equipment 100 is a T-shirt, and the impedance of the right lung of the living body is measured. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The wearable equipment can be appropriately selected depending on the site at which the impedance is measured in the living body. For example, in the case where the impedance of the lower leg of the living body is measured, the wearable equipment can be configured as, for example, pants, tights, or the like, which are worn on the lower body.

[0099] In addition, the wearable equipment is preferably configured from a material and a form that easily adhere to the living body. By being configured from a material and a form that easily adhere to the living body, the electrodes 120 provided to the wearable equipment easily come into contact with the living body.

[0100] The wearable equipment, the measurement system, and the determination method of the present disclosure are not limited to the structures specified by the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure recited in the claims. For example, the functions and the like included in each structure section, each step, and the like can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and a plurality of structure sections or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0101] Industrial Applicability

[0102] The present disclosure relates to a wearable equipment, a measurement system, and a determination method. The wearable equipment, the measurement system, and the determination method of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a patient with pulmonary edema. According to the wearable equipment, the measurement system, and the determination method of the present disclosure, the state of retention of water in a patient with pulmonary edema can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0103] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0104] 10, 30: wearable equipment,

[0105] 11, 31, 41: control section,

[0106] 12, 32: electrode section,

[0107] 13, 33: power supply section,

[0108] 14, 34, 44: storage section,

[0109] 15, 35, 45: input section,

[0110] 16, 36: body shape estimation section,

[0111] 20: measurement system,

[0112] 37, 47: communication section,

[0113] 40: information processing apparatus,

[0114] 46, 162: display section,

[0115] 120: electrode,

[0116] 130: measurement object,

[0117] 131: first terminal,

[0118] 132: second terminal,

[0119] 133: third terminal,

[0120] 134: fourth terminal,

[0121] 160: fastening section,

[0122] 161: cord reel.

Claims

1. A wearable apparatus capable of being worn by a user and capable of performing a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, characterized by comprising: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape of the user who wears the wearable apparatus; and a control section that determines a combination of electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body among the three or more electrodes, based on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section, wherein the body shape estimation section is configured to include a fastening section that fastens at least a part of the wearable apparatus, and wherein the wearable apparatus further comprises a storage section that stores a correspondence between a degree of fastening by the fastening section and the combination of the electrodes, and wherein the control section refers to the storage section and determines the combination of the electrodes based on the degree of fastening by the fastening section.

2. The wearable apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the number of the electrodes is five or more, and the combination of the electrodes is constituted by four electrodes selected from the five or more electrodes.

3. A wearable apparatus capable of being worn by a user and capable of performing a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, characterized by comprising: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape of the user who wears the wearable apparatus; and a control section that determines a combination of electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body among the three or more electrodes, based on the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section, wherein the body shape estimation section is configured to include an expansion / contraction sensor that outputs an electric signal corresponding to an amount of expansion / contraction of the wearable apparatus, and wherein the control section determines the combination of the electrodes based on the electric signal output from the expansion / contraction sensor.

4. The wearable apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: the number of the electrodes is five or more, and the combination of the electrodes is constituted by four electrodes selected from the five or more electrodes.

5. A measurement system including a wearable apparatus capable of being worn by a user and an information processing apparatus and capable of performing a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, characterized in that: the wearable apparatus comprises: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape of the user who wears the wearable apparatus; and a communication section that transmits information related to the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprises a control section that determines a combination of electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body among the three or more electrodes, based on the information related to the body shape of the user, wherein the body shape estimation section is configured to include a fastening section that fastens at least a part of the wearable apparatus, and wherein the wearable apparatus further comprises a storage section that stores a correspondence between a degree of fastening by the fastening section and the combination of the electrodes, and wherein the control section refers to the storage section and determines the combination of the electrodes based on the degree of fastening by the fastening section. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6. A measurement system including a wearable apparatus that can be worn by a user and an information processing apparatus that can perform a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, the measurement system characterized by, the wearable apparatus including: three or more electrodes; a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape of the user who wears the wearable apparatus; and a communication section that transmits information related to the body shape of the user estimated by the body shape estimation section to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus including a control section that decides a combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body based on the information related to the body shape of the user, the body shape estimation section is configured to include an extension sensor that outputs an electric signal corresponding to an extension amount of the wearable apparatus, the control section decides the combination of the electrodes based on the electric signal output from the extension sensor.

7. A decision method performed by a wearable apparatus that can be worn by a user and that can perform a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, and that includes three or more electrodes and a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape, the decision method characterized by, the body shape estimation section is configured to include a fastening section that fastens at least a part of the wearable apparatus, the wearable apparatus further includes a storage section that stores a correspondence between a degree of fastening by the fastening section and a combination of the electrodes, the decision method includes: outputting, by the body shape estimation section, the degree of fastening by the fastening section; and deciding, with reference to the storage section, the combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body based on the degree of fastening by the fastening section.

8. A decision method performed by a wearable apparatus that can be worn by a user and that can perform a measurement process of impedance of a living body by applying an electric current to the living body, and that includes three or more electrodes and a body shape estimation section that estimates a body shape, the decision method characterized by, the body shape estimation section is configured to include an extension sensor that outputs an electric signal corresponding to an extension amount of the wearable apparatus, the decision method includes: outputting, by the extension sensor, the electric signal corresponding to the extension amount of the wearable apparatus; and deciding, based on the electric signal output from the extension sensor, the combination of electrodes of the three or more electrodes used in the measurement of the impedance of the living body. ​ ​

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