Sensor, measuring system, measuring method, liquid quantity presentation method, and sponge manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a sensor, a measuring system, a measuring method, a liquid quantity presentation method, and a sponge manufacturing method with which it is possible to detect accurately a physical quantity relating to liquids ejected from living organisms.SOLUTION: A sensor (10) comprises: a base material (12) having an intake opening (24) for taking in a vapor generated by evaporation of a liquid ejected from a living organism; a microchannel member (16) having a microchannel (26) that communicates with the intake opening (24); a sponge (18) which is filled in the microchannel (26) and has hydrophilic property and hygroscopic property, and which absorbs the vapor and holds the liquid transformed from the vapor; and a detection unit (48) for detecting a physical quantity relating to the liquid held by the sponge (18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor, a measurement system, a measurement method, a method for indicating a volume of liquid, and a method for manufacturing a sponge. [Background technology]

[0002] Sweating is commonly associated with exercise and high ambient temperatures, and sweat contains a variety of biomarkers with important relevance for the assessment of physiological health. From a physiological perspective, sweating is well established as an indicator of both the loss of essential body substances and exposure to exogenous chemical species. In contrast, the relationship between sweat chemistry and blood chemistry remains poorly understood. Studies addressing such uncertainties can be applied to both known and newly discovered biomarkers, further expanding the options for clinical application.

[0003] In recent years, there have been technologies that apply material science and mechanical design to capture, collect, and measure sweat, including hygrometer-based platforms (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1), absorbent material-based platforms (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2), and microfluidic-based platforms (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Most embodiments of these platforms are typically performed during moderate to high intensity training and require complex laboratory equipment and trained staff for analysis. Among these platforms, however, microfluidic-based microfluidic patches are a simple and low-cost alternative to clinical standards, with improved reliability and suitable for rapid, home testing and wide deployment. For example, such microfluidic patches can be used in sports performance applications to measure total body water and electrolyte loss due to sweating. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kwon, K.; Kim, JU; Deng, Y.; et al. An on-skin platform for wireless monitoring of flow rate, cumulative loss and temperature of sweat in real time. Nat. Electron. 4, 2021, 302-312. [Non-Patent Document 2] Shaghayegh, S.; Razieh, S.; et al. MicroSweat: A Wearable Microfluidic Patch for Noninvasive and Reliable Sweat Collection Enables Human Stress Monitoring, Adv. Sci. 10, 2023, 2204171. [Non-Patent Document 3] Reeder, JT; Choi, J.; Xue, Y.; et al. Waterproof, electronics-enabled, epidermal microfluidic devices for sweat collection, biomarker analysis, and thermography in aquatic settings. Sci. Adv. 5, 2019, No. eaau6356. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Under normal conditions, there are two types of sweat in humans: active sweating (i.e., overt sweating) and transepidermal water loss (i.e., insensible sweating). Insensible sweating has similar physiological effects as active sweating in the form of steam, but few studies have been conducted to quantify insensible sweating using wearable devices. Accessing resting sweat remains a major challenge due to the low secretion rate and volume of sweat glands, fast evaporation during sampling, and hydraulic resistance in microfluidics that limits the amount of fluid that can be collected by sensors for analysis. For this reason, most reported wearable devices focus on collecting sweat with a high secretion rate, such as exercise, thermal, or chemical stimuli.

[0006] Conventional platforms are limited in their real-time assessment due to the inability to quickly capture small amounts of normal sweat into the device. Platforms targeting low sweat secretion rates are therefore required, but continuous analysis and, importantly, accurate measurement of resting sweat rate remains a challenge. This is due to the nature of insensible sweating, limitations of conventional techniques, and the fact that under natural conditions, the secretory pressure of sweat glands is insufficient, making it difficult or impossible for newly secreted sweat to continuously push older collected sweat to the designed collection area. Additionally, resting thermoregulatory sweat rate monitoring (i.e., including insensible sweating) in clinical settings has required bulky equipment such as ventilated humidity measurement chambers and 24-hour collection periods for single-point analyte measurements.

[0007] Although the above is a consideration of sweating, similar issues arise when collecting vapor generated by the evaporation of various liquids excreted from living organisms, just as with insensible sweating.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sensor, a measurement system, a measurement method, a method for presenting the amount of liquid, and a method for manufacturing a sponge that are capable of accurately detecting physical quantities related to liquid excreted from a living organism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a sensor comprising a substrate having an inlet for taking in vapor produced by evaporation of a liquid excreted from an organism, a microchannel member having a microchannel communicating with the inlet, a sponge filled in the microchannel, the sponge being hydrophilic and hygroscopic, and absorbing the vapor and retaining the liquid transformed from the vapor, and a detection unit for detecting a physical quantity related to the liquid retained by the sponge.

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a measurement system including the sensor according to the first aspect and a measurement device connected to the sensor.

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a measurement method including using a measurement system including a sensor according to the first aspect and a measurement device connected to the sensor, taking in the steam from the inlet, absorbing the steam with the sponge and holding the liquid converted from the steam, detecting a physical quantity related to the liquid held by the sponge with the detection unit, and obtaining a measurement value related to the liquid based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying an amount of liquid, comprising using a sensor according to the first aspect, taking in steam through the intake port, absorbing the steam with the sponge, retaining the liquid converted from the steam, and displaying the amount of the liquid retained by the sponge in a visual manner.

[0013] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a method for producing the sponge used in the sensor of the first aspect, comprising: a production process of decomposing chitin obtained from a fungus into chitosan, and mixing the chitosan with additives and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture; a stirring process of stirring the mixture; a freezing process of freezing the mixture to obtain an intermediate product having an internal skeleton; a thawing process of thawing the intermediate product; and a crosslinking process of crosslinking the intermediate product, thereby producing the sponge from the mixture. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a sensor, a measurement system, a measurement method, a method for indicating the amount of liquid, and a method for manufacturing a sponge are provided that can accurately detect physical quantities related to liquid excreted from a living organism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the sensor is attached to the instep of a person. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a microchannel member. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing a method for manufacturing an electrode layer. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the electrode portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of filling a mixture into a microchannel. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a sponge. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the manner in which a dye spreads. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a measurement system. [Figure 13]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of measuring the amount and rate of sweating. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example of the measurement system. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a second modified example of the measurement system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] (Overview of Sensor 10) First, an overview of a sensor 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0017] 1 shows a sensor 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In order to overcome the above problems, the inventors have focused on insensible sweating as an example, and through extensive research, have devised a wearable patch-type sensor 10 for continuously measuring thermoregulatory sweat composition, including insensible sweating, sweat rate, and sweat amount while at rest.

[0018] The sensor 10 is a sweat rate sensor that can be attached to human skin, captures steam, which is insensible sweat generated by evaporation of sweat discharged from sweat glands under normal conditions, and detects physical quantities such as the amount of sweat based on the captured steam. Although an example in which the sensor 10 is attached to the back of a person's hand is shown in Fig. 1, the sensor 10 can be attached to any part of the body other than the back of the hand (for example, the forehead, neck, shoulders, abdomen, arms, thighs, shins, or the back of the foot).

[0019] The sensor 10 embeds a superhydrophilic biosponge in the sweat collection well and microchannel to achieve rapid sweat capture at a low secretion rate, reducing the amount of sweat that must accumulate before being forced into the microchannel for measurement. The hierarchical combination of hydrophilic and antibacterial biosponges with the substrate, electrode layer, microchannel member, and skin material prevents sweat leakage and allows for rapid sweat capture while ensuring mechanical integrity. Additionally, the dimensions of the microchannel are set to minimize pressure loss so that the secretion pressure of the sweat glands is sufficient to push stationary sweat into the sensor 10.

[0020] The sensor 10 is able to capture all sweat and minimize uncertainty even in the case of insensible sweating due to the properties of the newly developed biosponge embedded in the sweat collection well and microchannel. Furthermore, the use of the microchannel embedded with the biosponge overcomes the drawback of hydraulic loss and creates a rapid movement of sweat at the inlet side, overcoming the evaporation and errors of traditional analysis, and converting it into a frequent and up-to-date measurement of sweat rate.

[0021] Such a sensor 10 can measure nL / min / cm 2 Normal sweat can be collected at a sweat rate of 1000 μg / ml, and the sweat rate and component analysis at rest can be performed in almost real time. The hydrophilic biosponge in microfluidics can reduce hydraulic loss and hydraulic resistance to a negligible level. During continuous monitoring for more than 12 hours, there is no lateral leakage of sweat from the collection well, and all sweat generated in that area can be captured by the sensor 10. A blue dye is used in the sweat collection well to ensure that sweat is forced into the microchannel filled with the biosponge and that sweat is continuously captured into the microchannel.

[0022] In addition, electrical sensing electrodes (i.e., radial electrodes) can be introduced for measuring the amount of sweat and the rate of sweating, and by monitoring the number of pulses and the time interval between each pulse, the amount of sweating and the rate of sweating in the microchannel can be calculated.

[0023] In addition, glucose, pH, Na + (sodium ion), K + Ion-selective electrodes are used to monitor biomarkers in sweat, such as potassium ions. The sensitivity of ion-selective electrodes is close to Nernstian behavior and shows high sensitivity within the physiological range.

[0024] The sensor 10 is applied to rapidly absorb insensible sweat, allowing monitoring of sweat volume and sweat rate, and shows potential applications for exploring the relationship between resting sweating and metabolism, stress, and disease states. Further applications of the sensor 10 with this specific biosponge can quantitatively accumulate data on natural sweat rate, blood glucose levels, and various ion concentrations, and build correlations that enable natural sweat rate as a non-invasive predictor of conditions such as hypoglycemia. Based on these correlations, resting sweat data can be used to continuously and non-invasively estimate diseases. Note that sweat is an example of a "liquid" in this disclosure.

[0025] (Specific configuration of sensor 10) Next, a specific configuration of the sensor 10 will be described.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 10 includes a substrate 12, a skin 14, a microchannel member 16, a sponge 18, an electrode layer 20, and a plurality of concentration sensors 22.

[0027] The substrate 12 is an adhesive sheet and can be attached to human skin. The substrate 12 is formed in a shape that combines a circle and a trapezoid in a plan view. An inlet 24 is formed in the center of the circular portion of the substrate 12. The inlet 24 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, and penetrates the substrate 12 in the thickness direction. The substrate 12 is formed with a plurality of slits 24A extending from the inlet 24 to the radially outward side of the inlet 24, and a circular portion 24B formed at the end of each slit 24A. As an example, the number of slits 24A is four, and the four slits 24A are arranged at equal angular intervals. That is, the inlet 24 and the plurality of slits 24A are formed in a cross shape. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the number of slits 24A is four, but it may be other than four.

[0028] The skin material 14 forms the skin portion of the sensor 10 and is formed in a sheet shape. The skin material 14 has the same external shape as the base material 12 and is formed in a shape combining a circle and a trapezoid in a plan view. The microchannel member 16, the sponge 18, the electrode layer 20, and the plurality of concentration sensors 22 are held in a sandwiched state between the base material 12 and the skin material 14. The skin material 14 has, for example, breathability. The skin material 14 is formed to be transparent or translucent.

[0029] The microchannel member 16 is formed in a circular sheet shape in a plan view. The microchannel member 16 is disposed between the electrode layer 20 and the skin material 14. The microchannel member 16 has a communication hole 25 (i.e., a sweat collecting well) that communicates with the inlet 24 via a communication hole 33 in the electrode layer 20 described later, a microchannel 26 that communicates with the inlet 24 via the communication hole 25 and the communication hole 33, and an outlet 27 formed at the end of the microchannel 26. The microchannel 26 is a long and thin flow path that can cause capillary action in sweat. A plurality of recesses 29 are formed in the microchannel 26 at the portions that overlap with the concentration sensors 22.

[0030] 3, the microchannel 26 is formed in a single stroke with a first connecting groove 26A connecting the communication hole 25 and the recess 29, a second connecting groove 26B connecting the multiple recesses 29, a third connecting groove 26C connecting the recess 29 and an arc groove 26D described below, multiple arc grooves 26D arranged concentrically around the communication hole 25, and a fourth connecting groove 26E connecting adjacent arc grooves 26D. Each arc groove 26D extends in the circumferential direction of the microchannel member 16.

[0031] In this manner, the microchannel 26 is formed in a single stroke extending in a serpentine manner from the communication hole 25 toward the exhaust port 27. The communication hole 25 and the recess 29 open to the electrode layer 20 (see FIG. 2) side, and the exhaust port 27 opens to the skin material 14 (see FIG. 2) side. The microchannel 26 is formed in a narrow groove shape having an opening on the electrode layer 20 side and a bottom on the skin material 14 side. The recess 29 and the microchannel 26 are covered by the electrode layer 20 when the microchannel member 16 is superimposed on the electrode layer 20.

[0032] 2, the sponge 18 is filled in the communication holes 25, the microchannels 26, and the exhaust port 27, and has a shape in which the communication holes 25, the microchannels 26, and the exhaust port 27 are connected together. With the communication holes 25, the microchannels 26, and the exhaust port 27 filled, the sponge 18 is superimposed on the electrode layer 20 from the side opposite the substrate 12 with respect to the electrode layer 20. The sponge 18 is hydrophilic, hygroscopic, and antibacterial, and absorbs steam taken in from the inlet 24 and retains sweat that has changed from steam to liquid.

[0033] The hydrophilicity of the sponge 18 refers to a high affinity for sweat. The hygroscopicity of the sponge 18 refers to a property of absorbing steam that has not yet changed into sweat (i.e., steam taken in from the inlet 24) by sweat being sucked into the sponge 18 due to the capillary phenomenon of the sponge 18 and the hydrophilicity of the sponge 18. The sponge 18 is, for example, a biosponge produced using natural organisms, and is a porous material having a three-dimensional mesh structure formed by fibers derived from natural organisms. The natural organisms are, for example, fungi. A specific method for producing the sponge 18 will be described later.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, sponge 18 is formed in a single stroke having a central portion 18A that fills communicating hole 25 (see Figure 3) and overlaps with inlet 24 (see Figure 2), multiple overlapping portions 18B that overlap with each concentration sensor 22 (see Figure 2), a first connecting portion 18C that connects central portion 18A and overlapping portion 18B, a second connecting portion 18D that connects between the multiple overlapping portions 18B, a third connecting portion 18E that connects overlapping portion 18B and an arc portion 18F described later, multiple arc portions 18F that are concentrically arranged around central portion 18A, a fourth connecting portion 18G that connects adjacent arc portions 18F, and an end portion 18H that is filled into outlet 27 (see Figure 3).

[0035] Each arc portion 18F extends in the circumferential direction of the sponge 18. The terminal end portion 18H is formed at the terminal end of one of the multiple arc portions 18F formed on the outer circumferential side of the sponge 18. In this manner, the sponge 18 is formed in a single stroke extending in a meandering manner from the center portion 18A to the terminal end portion 18H. The overlapping portion 18B is located closer to the center portion 18A than the multiple arc portions 18F on the path of the sponge 18. The path of the sponge 18 referred to here refers to a single stroke extending in a meandering manner from the center portion 18A to the terminal end portion 18H.

[0036] Between one end and the other end of the plurality of arcuate portions 18F, an open portion 28 is formed, and a plurality of overlapping portions 18B are arranged in the open portion 28. The central portion 18A contains a water-soluble pigment 30. For example, a blue pigment that is reminiscent of sweat is used as the pigment 30, but the color of the pigment 30 may be red, yellow, green, or the like other than blue. The pigment 30 may also be an edible pigment. For example, a tar-based synthetic pigment or the like may be used as the pigment 30.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode layer 20 has a film 32, a first electrode portion 34, a second electrode portion 36, and a plurality of third electrode portions 38. The film 32 has an outer shape similar to that of the substrate 12 and the skin material 14 (see FIG. 2), and is formed into a shape that combines a circle and a trapezoid in a plan view. A communication hole 33 is formed in the center of the circular portion of the film 32. The communication hole 33 communicates with the inlet 24 (see FIG. 1) and the communication hole 25 (see FIG. 3). The film 32 is, for example, an adhesive sheet. The surface of the film 32 (i.e., the surface on the sponge 18 side) is an adhesive surface, and the first electrode portion 34, the second electrode portion 36, and the plurality of third electrode portions 38 are provided on the adhesive surface of the film 32.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, the electrode layer 20 is manufactured as follows. First, as shown in Fig. 6(1), a 100 μm-thick PI film 40 is irradiated with a 50 W CO2 laser cutter to form an electrode portion 42, which is a thin carbon film having a first electrode portion 34, a second electrode portion 36, and a plurality of third electrode portions 38, on the PI film 40. Then, as shown in Fig. 6(2), the electrode portion 42 is transferred to the adhesive surface of the thin PDMS film 32 to form the electrode layer 20.

[0039] 7, the first electrode section 34 and the second electrode section 36 constitute an amount detection section 44 that detects the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18 (see FIG. 2), and the plurality of concentration sensors 22 and the plurality of third electrode sections 38 constitute a concentration detection section 46 that detects the concentration of components of the sweat held by the sponge 18. In addition, the amount detection section 44 and the concentration detection section 46 constitute a detection section 48 that detects various physical quantities related to the sweat held by the sponge 18.

[0040] The first electrode portion 34 has a first arc portion 34A extending in an arc shape along the inlet 24 (see also FIG. 3), a plurality of first radial portions 34B extending linearly from the first arc portion 34A radially outward of the first arc portion 34A, a connecting arc portion 34C connected to a first radial portion 34B2 of the plurality of first radial portions 34B, and a first conductor portion 34D extending linearly from an end of the connecting arc portion 34C to the opposite side to the inlet 24. A first connecting portion 34E is formed at an end of the first conductor portion 34D.

[0041] The second electrode portion 36 has a second arc portion 36A extending in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the sponge 18 (see FIG. 4), a plurality of second radial portions 36B extending linearly from the second arc portion 36A radially inward of the second arc portion 36A, and a second conductor portion 36C extending linearly from an end of the second arc portion 36A along the first conductor portion 34D to the opposite side to the inlet 24. A second connection portion 36D is formed at an end of the second conductor portion 36C.

[0042] The first radial portions 34B and the second radial portions 36B are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inlet 24. The first radial portions 34B and the second radial portions 36B are overlapped so as to intersect with a plurality of arc portions 18F (see FIG. 4) of the sponge 18 in a plan view. Note that the number of first radial portions 34B and second radial portions 36B is preferably three or more from the viewpoint of detecting the amount of sweat and the rate of sweating described below, but any number may be used.

[0043] The third electrode portion 38 has a sensor connection portion 38A connected to the concentration sensor 22, and a third conductor portion 38B extending linearly from the sensor connection portion 38A to the opposite side to the inlet 24. The multiple third conductor portions 38B are disposed between the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C. As an example, the first conductor portion 34D, the second conductor portion 36C, and the multiple third conductor portions 38B are formed in parallel. A third connection portion 38C is formed at the end of the third conductor portion 38B. The number of the third electrode portions 38 is set according to the number of the concentration sensors 22 (see FIG. 2). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the number of the third electrode portions 38 is three, but the number of the third electrode portions 38 may be any number. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the number of the concentration sensors 22 is four, the number of the third electrode portions 38 may be four.

[0044] 7, in a state where the concentration sensor 22 is connected to the sensor connection portion 38A, the concentration sensor 22 is disposed in a region 50 surrounded by a pair of adjacent radial portions (for example, the first radial portion 34B1 and the first radial portion 34B2) that are disposed on the side of the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C among the plurality of first radial portions 34B and the plurality of second radial portions 36B, and the first arc portion 34A. Specifically, the region 50 corresponds to a range of a central angle formed by the first radial portion 34B1 and the first radial portion 34B2. The region 50 is a region that overlaps with the above-mentioned open portion 28 (see FIG. 4).

[0045] The concentration sensor 22 is any one of a hydrogen ion concentration sensor that detects the concentration of hydrogen ions (i.e., pH), an electrolyte concentration sensor that detects the concentration of an electrolyte, a metabolite concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a metabolite, and a component concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a specific component.

[0046] The electrolyte to be detected by the electrolyte concentration sensor is, for example, Na + (sodium ion), Cl - (chloride ion), K + (Potassium ion), NH4 + (ammonium ion), Ca 2+ (calcium ion), or H +(hydrogen ion). The metabolite to be detected by the metabolite concentration sensor may be lactic acid, glucose, urea, uric acid, or creatinine. The component to be detected by the component concentration sensor may be an amino acid, vitamin C, cholesterol, or a hormone.

[0047] The multiple concentration sensors 22 may include concentration sensors of the same type, or may be concentration sensors of different types. The concentration sensors 22 have a known structure for individually detecting the concentrations of hydrogen ions, chlorides, electrolytes, metabolites, or specific components. For example, an ion-selective electrode (ISE) that responds only to target ions in the solution is used for the concentration sensors 22. Note that, although the number of concentration sensors 22 is three in the example shown in FIG. 7, the number of concentration sensors 22 may be any number, similar to the number of third electrode units 38.

[0048] (Method of manufacturing sponge 18) Next, a method for producing the sponge 18 will be described.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 9, the sponge 18 (see Fig. 4) is produced by placing a gel-like mixture 52 on the microchannel member 16, stretching the mixture 52 with a blade 54, and filling the microchannel 26 with the mixture 52. As will be specifically described below, the mixture 52 is produced by, for example, decomposing chitin (i.e., a linear nitrogen-containing polysaccharide polymer) obtained from a fungus into chitosan, and mixing the chitosan with an additive and a solution.

[0050] The additives include, for example, sodium alginate, calcium chloride, boric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, carboxymethylcellulose, dimethyl sulfoxide, hydrogen hexachloroplatinate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The solution is ultrapure water. The ultrapure water is purified by an ultrapure water system Milli-Q (registered trademark).

[0051] Chitin was purified from fungi cultured on potato dextrose agar plates. Specifically, chitin was obtained by harvesting raw mycelium, steaming it, washing it with a large amount of ultrapure water, crushing it in a house blender, and filtering to remove intracellular material. The residual slurry (cell walls) contained in chitin was immersed alternately in a hydrogen chloride solution and a sodium hydroxide solution, thoroughly washed, and then immersed in a sodium chlorite solution for bleaching. The chitin thus purified was finally thoroughly washed with ultrapure water, freeze-dried, and stored at room temperature. This method allows the production of chitin (M-chitin).

[0052] For convenience, chitin may be purified as follows: the raw mycelium is freeze-dried and extracted, and then chemically modified. The dried chitin is immersed in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution saturated with sodium hydroxide solution while stirring, centrifuged and washed with ethanol to remove unreacted solvent, and the product is directly dispersed in the sodium hydroxide solution by magnetic stirring. The product is thoroughly washed with ultrapure water until it shows neutrality, and may be stored at room temperature after freeze-drying. This method allows the production of partially deacetylated chitin (DM-chitin). In this method, the produced chitin is thoroughly washed with distilled water to neutralize it, and then dried at room temperature.

[0053] The precursor raw gel as mixture 52 was prepared by sequentially mixing each gel prepared in the designed ratio and vigorously stirring until each precursor gel was homogenized in the system. First, a certain stoichiometric amount of cellulose derivative and sodium alginate were mixed in a homogenized dispersion under ultrasonic action to obtain a first gel. In addition, ultrapure water was added to polyvinyl alcohol and incubated in an oil bath to obtain a second gel. Finally, a small amount of boric acid was added to the mixed gel obtained by mixing the first gel and the second gel, and the mixture was stirred using a homogenizer. Then, after degassing, a precursor raw gel was obtained.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 10, the method for producing sponge 18 includes a producing step A, a stirring step B, a freezing step C, a thawing step D, and a cross-linking step E. In the producing step A, chitin obtained from a fungus is decomposed into chitosan, and the chitosan is mixed with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture 52. Fig. 7 shows, as an example, a state in which mixture 52 contains sodium alginate 52A, polyvinyl alcohol 52B, carboxymethyl cellulose 52C, chitosan 52D, and boric acid 52E.

[0055] In the stirring step B, the mixture 52 is stirred using a stirring tool (not shown). In the freezing step C, the mixture 52 is frozen. As a result, an intermediate product 56 having an internal skeleton 56A that is initially polymerized is obtained. The internal skeleton 56A is formed along the crystals 58 generated by the freezing of water. In the thawing step D, the intermediate product 56 is thawed. In the crosslinking step E, the intermediate product 56 is crosslinked. As a result, the polymers that form the internal skeleton 56A are chemically bonded to each other and hardened.

[0056] In this manner, sponge 18 (see also FIG. 4), which is a biosponge, is manufactured by sequentially going through generating step A, stirring step B, freezing step C, thawing step D, and cross-linking step E. Note that freezing step C, thawing step D, and cross-linking step E are steps carried out in a state in which mixture 52 is filled in microchannel 26 (see FIG. 9). By the above manufacturing method, sponge 18, which is a biosponge that has a three-dimensional mesh structure formed from fibers derived from natural organisms and has excellent hydrophilicity, antibacterial properties, and moisture absorption properties, is obtained.

[0057] (How to display sweat rate) Next, a method for displaying the amount of sweat will be described using the sensor 10. The method for displaying the amount of sweat described below is one example of a "method for displaying the amount of liquid" in the present disclosure.

[0058] Fig. 11 shows how the area of ​​sponge 18 that retains sweat increases over time. That is, the area shown with dark dots indicates the area of ​​sponge 18 that retains sweat. Note that Fig. 11 shows sensor 10 in a simplified configuration in order to easily understand the area that retains sweat. Fig. 11 also shows how the area increases over an hour, for example.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, when the steam generated by the evaporation of sweat discharged from the sweat glands is taken in through the inlet 24 (see also FIG. 2), the steam taken in through the inlet 24 reaches the communication hole 25 (see also FIG. 2). The steam that reaches the communication hole 25 is absorbed by the sponge 18, and the steam absorbed by the sponge 18 gradually changes to liquid as it travels through the microchannel 26. The sweat that has changed to liquid is sucked into the sponge 18 due to the hydrophilicity of the sponge 18 and the capillary phenomenon caused by the sponge 18. This promotes the intake of steam from the inlet 24, and the steam is absorbed into the sponge 18 one after another. The sweat sucked into the sponge 18 is then held by the sponge 18. When the amount of sweat discharged from the sweat glands increases, the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18 increases, and the area of ​​the sponge 18 that holds sweat increases.

[0060] Here, as described above, the central portion 18A of the sponge 18 contains the water-soluble pigment 30. Therefore, the sweat held by the sponge 18 is colored by the pigment 30. Therefore, it is possible to present the amount of sweat in a visual manner based on the range of the pigment 30 that spreads on the sponge 18 according to the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18. This allows a person wearing the sensor 10 or a person managing the sensor 10 to visually grasp the amount of sweat by checking the range of the pigment 30 that spreads on the sponge 18.

[0061] (Measurement System 60) Next, a measurement system 60 and a measurement method using the sensor 10 will be described.

[0062] 12, the measurement system 60 includes the sensor 10 and a measurement device 62. The measurement device 62 may be a wearable device, a personal computer, or a measurement circuit. The measurement device 62 includes a computer 64, a first detection circuit 66, a second detection circuit 68, and a display 70.

[0063] The computer 64 includes a processor 72 and a memory 74. The first detection circuit 66 is electrically connected to the first connection portion 34E and the second connection portion 36D. For example, the first electrode portion 34 having the first connection portion 34E is a cathode, and the second electrode portion 36 having the second connection portion 36D is an anode. The second detection circuit 68 is electrically connected to the first connection portion 34E and the third connection portion 38C. The third electrode portion 38 having the third connection portion 38C is an anode for extracting a signal from the concentration sensor 22.

[0064] The processor 72 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the memory 74 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The computer 64 is electrically connected to the first detection circuit 66, the second detection circuit 68, and the display 70, and the processor 72 controls the first detection circuit 66, the second detection circuit 68, and the display 70. The display 70 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays the results of calculations by the processor 72 (for example, the amount of sweat, the rate of sweat, and the concentration of sweat components, which will be described later).

[0065] Here, Fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of measuring the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18 and the sweat rate. In Fig. 13, the first arcuate portion 34A and the second arcuate portion 36A are shown linearly. Fig. 13 also shows the relationship between the voltage applied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36 and time in association with the positions of the first radial portion 34B and the second radial portion 36B.

[0066] The processor 72 controls the first detection circuit 66 so that a constant current is supplied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36. As described with reference to Fig. 11, when the amount of sweat discharged from the sweat glands increases, the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18 increases, and the area of ​​the sponge 18 that holds sweat increases in the direction of the arrow X.

[0067] When the sweat held by the sponge 18 passes through the first radial portion 34B and reaches the second radial portion 36B, the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36 are electrically connected through the sweat, and a voltage is applied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36. Then, every time the sweat crosses the first radial portion 34B or the second radial portion 36B, a charging current flows for a short time, and the voltage value applied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36 drops, and each time, a control is executed to supply a constant current between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36, and the voltage value that had been lowered increases. As a result, a pulse 76 in which the voltage value momentarily drops appears every time the sweat crosses the third or subsequent first radial portion 34B or second radial portion 36B.

[0068] Each time a pulse 76 appears, the first detection circuit 66 outputs a pulse detection signal indicating that the pulse 76 has been detected to the processor 72. The processor 72 derives the amount of sweating according to the number of pulse detection signals, utilizing the fact that the number of pulse detection signals increases as the amount of sweating increases. For example, a table indicating the relationship between the number of pulse detection signals and a specific value of the amount of sweating may be stored in the memory 74 (see FIG. 12). Then, the processor 72 may derive a specific value of the amount of sweating from the number of pulse detection signals based on the table.

[0069] Furthermore, the processor 72 utilizes the fact that the higher the sweat rate, the shorter the time interval at which the pulse detection signal is output, to derive the sweat rate according to the time interval of the pulse detection signal. For example, a table showing the relationship between the time interval of the pulse detection signal and a specific value of the sweat rate may be stored in the memory 74 (see FIG. 12). Then, the processor 72 may derive a specific value of the sweat rate from the time interval of the pulse detection signal based on the table. The processor 72 may also derive the sweat rate by dividing the amount of sweat derived based on the pulse detection signal by the time required to obtain the pulse detection signal.

[0070] In this way, the contact state between the sweat and the first radial portion 34B and the second radial portion 36B changes depending on the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18, thereby changing the value of the voltage applied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36. Then, the processor 72 derives the amount of sweat and the sweat rate based on the change in the value of the voltage applied between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36.

[0071] Returning to Fig. 12, the description of the measurement system 60 will be continued. The processor 72 controls the second detection circuit 68 so that a constant current is supplied between the first electrode unit 34 and the third electrode unit 38 for each third electrode unit 38 during a period in which no current is supplied between the first electrode unit 34 and the second electrode unit 36. In a state in which the first electrode unit 34 and the concentration sensor 22 are in conduction due to sweat held by the sponge 18, the electrical resistance between the first electrode unit 34 and the concentration sensor 22 changes depending on the components of the sweat, and the voltage applied between the first electrode unit 34 and the third electrode unit 38 changes depending on the electrical resistance.

[0072] The second detection circuit 68 detects the voltage applied between the first electrode 34 and the third electrode 38, and outputs a voltage detection signal corresponding to the detected voltage to the processor 72. The processor 72 derives the concentration of the component of the sweat for each concentration sensor 22 according to the voltage detection signal input from the second detection circuit 68. For example, a table showing the relationship between the voltage value of the voltage detection signal and the specific value of the concentration may be stored in the memory 74 (see FIG. 12). Then, the processor 72 may derive the specific value of the concentration from the voltage value of the voltage detection signal based on the table. Thereby, for example, when the concentration sensor 22 is any one of a hydrogen ion concentration sensor, an electrolyte concentration sensor, a metabolite concentration sensor, and a component concentration sensor, it becomes possible to measure the concentration of any one of hydrogen ions, chlorides, electrolytes, metabolites, and specific components contained in sweat.

[0073] The amount of sweat detected by the amount detection unit 44 and the concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 46 are examples of "physical quantities related to liquid" in the present disclosure. The amount of sweat, the rate of sweat, and the concentration values ​​acquired by the measurement device 62 are examples of "measured values ​​related to liquid" in the present disclosure. The rate of sweat is an example of "excretion rate" in the present disclosure.

[0074] (effect) Next, effects of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0075] As described above in detail, in the sensor 10 according to this embodiment, the sponge 18 has hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, and therefore the sponge 18 can absorb not only liquid sweat but also steam generated by evaporation of sweat. This allows the sensor 10 to efficiently collect sweat discharged from the sweat glands, compared to a sensor having a structure that can only absorb liquid sweat. This allows the sensor 10 to accurately detect the amount and concentration of sweat. As a result, it is possible to realize continuous monitoring of sweating at rest, during daily life, or during daily activities.

[0076] In addition, the sponge 18 is a bio-sponge produced using natural organisms. This allows the sponge 18 to have antibacterial properties, so that the sensor 10 can be kept hygienic even when continuous monitoring of sweating is realized.

[0077] In addition, the natural organism is a fungus. This allows the fibers obtained from the fungus to have a finer, three-dimensional mesh structure, thereby improving the steam absorption performance.

[0078] 10, the sponge 18 is manufactured through a production process A in which chitin obtained from a fungus is decomposed into chitosan, and the chitosan is mixed with additives and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture 52, a stirring process B in which the mixture 52 is stirred, a freezing process C in which the mixture 52 is frozen to produce an intermediate product 56 having an internal skeleton 56A, a thawing process D in which the intermediate product 56 is thawed, and a cross-linking process E in which the intermediate product 56 is cross-linked. In this way, a sponge 18 can be formed that can maintain its three-dimensional structure without shrinking in the microchannels 26 even when moisture is removed and it dries.

[0079] 9, the freezing step C, the thawing step D, and the cross-linking step E are performed in a state where the mixture 52 is filled in the microchannel 26. This eliminates the need for a dedicated mold for forming the sponge 18, thereby reducing costs.

[0080] Furthermore, the sponge 18 is filled into the microchannels 26. This allows the shape of the sponge 18 to be maintained by the microchannels 26, so that the performance of absorbing steam can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0081] 3, the microchannel member 16 has a communication hole 25 communicating with the inlet 24 and a microchannel 26 communicating with the inlet 24 via the communication hole 25, and the microchannel 26 is formed in a single stroke with a plurality of arc grooves 26D arranged concentrically around the communication hole 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the sponge 18 is formed in a single stroke with a center 18A filled in the communication hole 25 and a plurality of arc portions 18F arranged concentrically around the center 18A and filled in the plurality of arc grooves 26D. This allows sweat to be transported from the communication hole 25 to the outer periphery of the sensor 10 in a meandering manner, so that more sweat can be taken in by the sensor 10.

[0082] 11, the central portion 18A of the sponge 18 contains a water-soluble pigment 30. Therefore, the sweat held by the sponge 18 is colored by the pigment 30. Therefore, the amount of sweat can be visually indicated by the range of the pigment 30 that spreads on the sponge 18 according to the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18. This allows a person wearing the sensor 10 or a person managing the sensor 10 to visually grasp the amount of sweat by checking the range of the pigment 30 that spreads on the sponge 18.

[0083] 4, sponge 18 has overlapping portion 18B that overlaps with concentration sensor 22. Therefore, sweat can be retained at overlapping portion 18B, allowing concentration sensor 22 to detect the concentration of sweat components with high accuracy.

[0084] Moreover, overlapping portion 18B is located closer to center portion 18A than multiple arcuate portions 18F on the path of sponge 18. Therefore, the concentration of sweat components can be detected by concentration sensor 22 disposed in overlapping portion 18B before the range of sweat reaches multiple arcuate portions 18F (in other words, before the amount and rate of sweat can be detected).

[0085] 7, the sensor 10 has an amount detection unit 44 that detects the amount of sweat, and a concentration detection unit 46 that detects the concentration of sweat components. Therefore, the amount of sweat and the concentration of sweat components can be detected by a single sensor 10, and more information about a person can be obtained from sweat.

[0086] Furthermore, the amount detection unit 44 has the first electrode unit 34 and the second electrode unit 36. Therefore, the amount of sweat can be derived based on the change in the value of the voltage applied between the first electrode unit 34 and the second electrode unit 36 ​​according to the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18.

[0087] In addition, the first electrode portion 34 has a first arc portion 34A extending in an arc along the inlet 24, and a plurality of first radial portions 34B extending from the first arc portion 34A radially outward of the first arc portion 34A, and the second electrode portion 36 has a second arc portion 36A extending in an arc along the outer periphery of the sponge 18, and a plurality of second radial portions 36B extending from the second arc portion 36A radially inward of the second arc portion 36A, the first radial portions 34B and the second radial portions 36B being arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the inlet 24 and overlapping with the plurality of arc portions 18F. 13, a pulse 76 in which the voltage drops momentarily appears each time the sweat held by the sponge 18 crosses the third or subsequent first radial portion 34B or second radial portion 36B, and the amount of sweat can be derived based on the number of pulses 76. As a result, the accuracy of the derivation can be improved compared to the case where the amount of sweat is derived based on the electrical resistance between the first electrode portion 34 and the second electrode portion 36.

[0088] In addition, since the sweat rate can also be derived according to the time interval of the pulse detection signal, more information about the person wearing the sensor 10 can be obtained compared to a case where only the amount of sweat can be derived.

[0089] The concentration detection unit 46 also has at least one concentration sensor 22 selected from a hydrogen ion concentration sensor that detects the concentration of hydrogen ions, an electrolyte concentration sensor that detects the concentration of electrolytes, a metabolite concentration sensor that detects the concentration of metabolites, and a component concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a specific component. Therefore, it is possible to detect not only the amount of sweat but also the concentration of at least one of hydrogen ions, chlorides, electrolytes, metabolites, and specific components contained in sweat.

[0090] 7, the concentration sensor 22 is disposed in an area 50 surrounded by the first radial portion 34B1, the first radial portion 34B2, and the first arc portion 34A. Therefore, the area 50 is utilized as an area for disposing the concentration sensor 22, and therefore the sensor 10 can be made smaller.

[0091] 7, the first radial portion 34B1 and the first radial portion 34B2 are radial portions that are arranged on the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C side among the plurality of first radial portions 34B and the plurality of second radial portions 36B, and the third conductor portion 38B is arranged between the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C. Therefore, the third conductor portion 38B can be linearly led out from the concentration sensor 22 through between the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C, and the configuration of the electrode layer 20 can be simplified.

[0092] (Modification) Next, a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the sensor 10 captures the steam generated by the evaporation of sweat discharged from the sweat glands, but the sensor 10 may capture the steam generated by the evaporation of body fluids discharged from a person other than sweat. For example, the sensor 10 may be attached to a diaper, capture the steam generated by the evaporation of urine, and detect the amount of urine or the concentration of urine components based on the captured steam. The sensor 10 may also be applied to collecting tears or blood.

[0094] The sensor 10 may also be applied to animals other than humans that sweat, or to body fluids other than sweat that are excreted from animals. The sensor 10 may also be applied to various organisms other than humans or animals, such as plants. For example, the sensor 10 may be applied to a plant to visualize transpiration from the leaves.

[0095] In addition, in the above embodiment, the sensor 10 has an amount detection unit 44 that detects the amount of sweat and a concentration detection unit 46 that detects the concentration of sweat components, but it may have only one of the amount detection unit 44 and the concentration detection unit 46.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the first detection circuit 66 outputs a pulse detection signal indicating that the pulse 76 has been detected to the processor 72 each time the pulse 76 appears, but the first detection circuit 66 may detect the voltage applied between the first electrode unit 34 and the second electrode unit 36 ​​and output a voltage detection signal corresponding to the detected voltage to the processor 72. The processor 72 may then derive the amount of sweating according to the voltage detection signal input from the first detection circuit 66.

[0097] In addition, in the above embodiment, the processor 72 derives both the amount of sweat and the rate of sweating based on the pulse detection signal, but it may derive only one of the amount of sweating and the rate of sweating.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the sensor 10 is electrically connected to the measuring device 62, but may be electrically connected to a wearable device 78 such as a smart watch, for example, as shown in Fig. 14. The sensor 10 may be electrically connected to the wearable device 78 via a flexible flat cable 80. Data corresponding to a pulse detection signal or a voltage detection signal input from the sensor 10 to the wearable device 78 may be transmitted from the wearable device 78 to the measuring device 62, and the measuring device 62 may acquire values ​​of the amount of sweat, the rate of sweat, and the concentration based on the received data.

[0099] 15, the measurement device 62 may be incorporated into a wearable device 78. The sensor 10 may also be incorporated into the wearable device 78.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sponge 18 is a biosponge produced using natural organisms, but it may be a synthetic sponge produced from a synthetic polymer such as a synthetic resin.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sensor 10 includes the electrode layer 20, but the electrode layer 20 may be omitted. In this case, the sensor 10 functions as a sweat meter that visually indicates the amount of sweating based on the range of the pigment 30 that spreads in the sponge 18 according to the amount of sweat held by the sponge 18. Note that the amount of sweating may be visually indicated by a means other than the pigment 30 (for example, the skin material 14 is formed transparent or translucent, and the sponge 18 itself changes color after absorbing sweat).

[0102] In addition, in the above embodiment, a pair of adjacent radial portions among the multiple first radial portions 34B and the multiple second radial portions 36B that are arranged on the side of the first conductor portion 34D and the second conductor portion 36C are, as an example, the first radial portion 34B1 and the first radial portion 34B2, but may also be a combination of the first radial portion 34B and the second radial portion 36B, or a combination of the second radial portion 36B and the second radial portion 36B.

[0103] Also, in the above embodiment, the processor 72 has a CPU, but instead of or in addition to the CPU, it may have a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a dedicated electrical circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0104] Furthermore, the above-described multiple modified examples may be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0105] While one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] The following supplementary notes are disclosed below regarding one embodiment of the present disclosure. (Appendix 1) A substrate (12) having an intake (24) for taking in vapor generated by vaporization of liquid discharged from the living organism; a microchannel member (16) having a microchannel (26) in communication with the inlet (24); a sponge (18) filled in the microchannel (26), having hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, and absorbing the steam and retaining the liquid converted from the steam; a detection unit (48) for detecting a physical quantity related to the liquid held by the sponge (18). Sensor(10). (Appendix 2) The organism is a human or an animal, The liquid is sweat. 2. The sensor (10) of claim 1. (Appendix 3) The sponge (18) is a biosponge produced using natural organisms. 10. The sensor (10) of claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The natural organism is a fungus. 4. The sensor (10) of claim 3. (Appendix 5) The sponge (18) is produced through a production step (A) of decomposing chitin obtained from the fungus into chitosan, and mixing the chitosan with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture (52), a stirring step (B) of stirring the mixture (52), a freezing step (C) of freezing the mixture (52) to obtain an intermediate product (56) having an internal skeleton (56A), a thawing step (D) of thawing the intermediate product (56), and a crosslinking step (E) of crosslinking the intermediate product (56). 5. The sensor (10) of claim 4. (Appendix 6) The freezing step (C), the thawing step (D), and the crosslinking step (E) are steps carried out in a state in which the mixture (52) is filled in the microchannel (26). 6. The sensor (10) of claim 5. (Appendix 7) the microchannel member (26) has a communication hole (25) communicating with the inlet (24), and the microchannel (26) communicating with the inlet (24) via the communication hole (25); The microchannel (26) is formed in a single stroke with a plurality of arcuate grooves (26D) arranged concentrically around the communication hole (25). 7. The sensor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) that fills the communication hole (25) and a plurality of arcuate portions (18F) that are concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A) and that fill the plurality of arcuate grooves (26D). 8. The sensor (10) of claim 7. (Appendix 9) The central portion (18A) contains a water-soluble dye (30). 9. The sensor (10) of claim 8. (Appendix 10) The detection unit (48) has a concentration detection unit (46) that detects a concentration of a component of the liquid as the physical quantity, The concentration detection unit (46) has a concentration sensor (22), The sponge (18) has an overlapping portion (18B) that overlaps with the concentration sensor (22). 10. The sensor (10) according to claim 8 or 9. (Appendix 11) The overlapping portion (18B) is located on the side of the central portion (18A) relative to the plurality of arcuate portions (18F) on the path of the sponge (18). 11. The sensor (10) of claim 10. (Appendix 12) The detection unit (48) has an amount detection unit (44) that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity. 12. The sensor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 11. (Appendix 13) The amount detection unit (44) has a first electrode unit (34) and a second electrode unit (36). 13. The sensor (10) of claim 12. (Appendix 14) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) overlapping with the inlet (24) and a plurality of arc portions (18F) concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A), the first electrode portion (34) has a first arc portion (34A) extending in an arc shape along the inlet (24), and a plurality of first radial portions (34B) extending from the first arc portion (34A) radially outward of the first arc portion (34A), the second electrode portion (36) has a second arc portion (36A) extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge (18), and a plurality of second radial portions (36B) extending from the second arc portion (36A) radially inward of the second arc portion (36A), The first radial portions (34A) and the second radial portions (36B) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inlet (24) and overlap the plurality of arc portions (18F). 14. The sensor (10) of claim 13. (Appendix 15) The detection unit (48) has a concentration detection unit (46) that detects the concentration of a component of the liquid as the physical quantity. 15. The sensor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14. (Appendix 16) The concentration detection unit (48) has at least one concentration sensor (22) selected from a hydrogen ion concentration sensor that detects the concentration of hydrogen ions, an electrolyte concentration sensor that detects the concentration of an electrolyte, a metabolite concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a metabolite, and a component concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a specific component. 16. The sensor (10) of claim 15. (Appendix 17) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) overlapping with the inlet (24) and a plurality of arc portions (18F) concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A), The detection unit (48) has an amount detection unit (44) that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit (44) has a first electrode unit (34) and a second electrode unit (36), the first electrode portion (34) has a first arc portion (34A) extending in an arc shape along the inlet (24), and a plurality of first radial portions (34B) extending from the first arc portion (34A) radially outward of the first arc portion (34A), the second electrode portion (36) has a second arc portion (36A) extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge (18), and a plurality of second radial portions (36B) extending from the second arc portion (36A) radially inward of the second arc portion (36A), the first radial portion (34A) and the second radial portion (36B) are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet (24) and overlap with the plurality of arc portions (18F); The concentration sensor (22) is disposed in a region (50) surrounded by a pair of adjacent radial portions (34B1, 34B2) of the plurality of first radial portions (34B) and the plurality of second radial portions (36B) and the first arc portion (34A). 17. The sensor (10) of claim 16. (Appendix 18) The first electrode portion (34) has a first conductor portion (34D) extending linearly on a side opposite to the inlet (24), The second electrode portion (36) has a second conductor portion (36C) extending linearly on a side opposite to the inlet (24), the concentration detection portion (46) includes a sensor connection portion (38A) connected to the concentration sensor (22), and a third conductor portion (38B) extending linearly from the sensor connection portion (38A) toward an opposite side to the inlet (24), the pair of radial portions (34B1, 34B2) are radial portions that are arranged on the side of the first conductor portion (34D) and the second conductor portion (36C) among the plurality of first radial portions (34B) and the plurality of second radial portions (36B), The third conductor portion (38B) is disposed between the first conductor portion (34D) and the second conductor portion (36C). 18. The sensor (10) of claim 17. (Appendix 19) A sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18; and a measuring device (62) connected to the sensor (10). Measuring system (60). (Appendix 20) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) overlapping with the inlet (24) and a plurality of arc portions (18F) concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A), The detection unit (48) has an amount detection unit (44) that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit (44) has a first electrode unit (34) and a second electrode unit (36), the first electrode portion (34) has a first arc portion (34A) extending in an arc shape along the inlet (24), and a plurality of first radial portions (34B) extending from the first arc portion (34A) radially outward of the first arc portion (34A), the second electrode portion (36) has a second arc portion (36A) extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge (18), and a plurality of second radial portions (36B) extending from the second arc portion (36A) radially inward of the second arc portion (36A), the first radial portion (34A) and the second radial portion (36B) are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet (24) and overlap with the plurality of arc portions (18F); The measurement device (62) includes a processor (72); The processor (72) derives at least one of the amount of liquid and the discharge speed of the liquid based on a change in a value of a voltage applied between the first electrode portion (34) and the second electrode portion (36) caused by a change in a contact state between the liquid and the first radial portion (34B) and the second radial portion (36B) depending on the amount of the liquid held by the sponge (18). 20. The measurement system (60) of claim 19. (Appendix 21) A measurement system (60) comprising a sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and a measuring device (62) connected to the sensor (10), The steam is taken in through the intake (24); The sponge (18) absorbs the steam and retains the liquid that has been converted from the steam; detecting a physical quantity related to the liquid held by the sponge (18) by the detection unit (48); and obtaining a measurement value related to the liquid based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit (48). Measurement method. (Appendix 22) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) overlapping with the inlet (24) and a plurality of arc portions (18F) concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A), The detection unit (48) has an amount detection unit (44) that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit (44) has a first electrode unit (34) and a second electrode unit (36), the first electrode portion (34) has a first arc portion (34A) extending in an arc shape along the inlet (24), and a plurality of first radial portions (34B) extending from the first arc portion (34A) radially outward of the first arc portion (34A), the second electrode portion (36) has a second arc portion (36A) extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge (18), and a plurality of second radial portions (36B) extending from the second arc portion (36A) radially inward of the second arc portion (36A), the first radial portion (34A) and the second radial portion (36B) are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet (24) and overlap with the plurality of arc portions (18F); The measurement device (62) includes a processor (72); The measurement method includes deriving, by the processor (72), at least one of the amount of the liquid and the discharge speed of the liquid, based on a change in a value of a voltage applied between the first electrode portion (34) and the second electrode portion (36) caused by a change in a contact state between the liquid and the first radial portion (34B) and the second radial portion (36B) depending on the amount of the liquid held by the sponge (18). Measurement method described in Appendix 21. (Appendix 23) Using a sensor (10) according to any one of appendices 1 to 18, The steam is taken in through the intake (24); The sponge (18) absorbs the steam and retains the liquid that has been converted from the steam; and visually indicating the amount of said liquid retained by said sponge (18). How liquid quantities are presented. (Appendix 24) The sponge (18) is formed in a single stroke having a center portion (18A) overlapping with the inlet (24) and a plurality of arc portions (18F) concentrically arranged around the center portion (18A), The central portion (18A) contains a water-soluble dye (30), The method includes visually indicating the amount of liquid by the extent of the dye spread on the sponge (18) in response to the amount of liquid. 24. A method for presenting a liquid quantity as described in appended claim 23. (Appendix 25) A method for manufacturing the sponge (18) for use in the sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising the steps of: A production step (A) of decomposing chitin obtained from a fungus into chitosan and mixing the chitosan with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture (52); a stirring step (B) of stirring the mixture (52); a freezing step (C) of freezing the mixture (52) to obtain an intermediate product (56) having an internal skeleton (56A); a thawing step (D) of thawing the intermediate product (56); a crosslinking step (E) of crosslinking the intermediate product (56); and producing the sponge (18) from the mixture (52) through A method for producing a sponge (18). (Appendix 26) A substrate (12) having an intake (24) for taking in vapor generated by vaporization of liquid discharged from the living organism; a microchannel member (16) having a microchannel (26) in communication with the inlet (24); and a sponge (18) filled in the microchannel (26), having hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, absorbing the steam and retaining the liquid converted from the steam. Sensor(10). (Appendix 27) A sponge (18) is manufactured through a production process in which chitin obtained from a fungus is decomposed into chitosan, and the chitosan is mixed with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture, a stirring process in which the mixture is stirred, a freezing process in which an intermediate product having an internal skeleton is obtained by freezing the mixture, a thawing process in which the intermediate product is thawed, and a crosslinking process in which the intermediate product is crosslinked. (Appendix 28) A method for indicating a liquid amount using a device (10), comprising: The device (10) comprises: A substrate (12) having an intake (24) for taking in vapor generated by vaporization of liquid discharged from the living organism; a microchannel member (16) having a microchannel (26) in communication with the inlet (24); a sponge (18) filled in the microchannel (26), having hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, and absorbing the steam and retaining the liquid converted from the steam; The presentation method includes: The steam is taken in through the intake (24); The sponge (18) absorbs the steam and retains the liquid that has been converted from the steam; and visually indicating the amount of said liquid retained by said sponge (18). How liquid quantities are presented. (Appendix 28) A production step (A) of decomposing chitin obtained from a fungus into chitosan and mixing the chitosan with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture (52); a stirring step (B) of stirring the mixture (52); a freezing step (C) of freezing the mixture (52) to obtain an intermediate product (56) having an internal skeleton (56A); a thawing step (D) of thawing the intermediate product (56); a crosslinking step (E) of crosslinking the intermediate product (56); and producing a sponge (18) from the mixture (52) by A method for producing a sponge (18). [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 Sensors 12 Base material 14 Skin material 16 Microchannel member 18 Sponge 18A Center 18B Overlapping part 18C 1st connection part 18D Second Connection 18E 3rd connection part 18F Arc section 18G 4th connection part 18H end 20 electrode layer 22 Concentration sensor 24 Intake 24A Slit 24B Circular section 25 Communication hole 26 Microchannel 26A 1st connection groove 26B 2nd connection groove 26C 3rd connection groove 26D Circular groove 26E 4th connection groove 27 Outlet 28 Open area 29 Recess 30 dye 32 Film 33 Communication hole 34 1st electrode part 34A First arc section 34B First radial section 34C Connecting arc section 34D First conductor section 34E First Connection 36 Second electrode part 36A Second arc section 36B 2nd radial section 36C Second Conductor Section 36D Second Connection 38 Third electrode section 38A Sensor Connection 38B Third conductor section 38C 3rd connection part 40 PI film 42 Electrode part 44 Quantity detection unit 46 Concentration detection unit 48 Detection section 50 areas 52 mixture 52A Sodium alginate 52B Polyvinyl alcohol 52C Carboxymethylcellulose 52D Chitosan 52E Boric Acid 54 Blade 56 Intermediate products 56A Internal Skeleton 58 Crystal 60 Measurement Systems 62 Measuring Equipment 64 Computers 66 First detection circuit 68 Second detection circuit 70 Display 72 processors 74 Memory 76 Pulse 78 Wearable Devices 80 Flexible Flat Cable

Claims

1. A substrate having an intake port for taking in vapor generated by vaporization of liquid discharged from the living organism; a microchannel member having a microchannel in communication with the inlet; a sponge filled in the microchannel, having hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity, absorbing the vapor and retaining the liquid converted from the vapor; a detection unit for detecting a physical quantity related to the liquid held by the sponge; Sensor.

2. The organism is a human or an animal, The liquid is sweat. The sensor of claim 1 .

3. The sponge is a biosponge produced using natural organisms. The sensor of claim 1 .

4. The natural organism is a fungus. The sensor of claim 3.

5. The sponge is manufactured through a production process in which chitin obtained from the fungus is decomposed into chitosan, and the chitosan is mixed with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture, a stirring process in which the mixture is stirred, a freezing process in which an intermediate product having an internal skeleton is obtained by freezing the mixture, a thawing process in which the intermediate product is thawed, and a crosslinking process in which the intermediate product is crosslinked. The sensor of claim 4.

6. The freezing step, the thawing step, and the crosslinking step are performed in a state where the mixture is filled in the microchannel. The sensor of claim 5.

7. the microchannel member has a communication hole communicating with the inlet, and the microchannel communicating with the inlet via the communication hole; The microchannel is formed in a single stroke with a plurality of arcuate grooves arranged concentrically around the communication hole. The sensor of claim 1 .

8. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a central portion that fills the communication hole, and a plurality of arc portions that are concentrically arranged around the central portion and fill the arc grooves. The sensor of claim 7.

9. The central portion contains a water-soluble pigment. The sensor of claim 8.

10. the detection unit has a concentration detection unit that detects a concentration of a component of the liquid as the physical quantity, The concentration detection unit has a concentration sensor, The sponge has an overlapping portion that overlaps with the concentration sensor. The sensor of claim 8.

11. The overlapping portion is located on the center side of the path of the sponge relative to the plurality of arc portions. The sensor of claim 10.

12. The detection unit has an amount detection unit that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity. The sensor of claim 1 .

13. The amount detection unit has a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit. The sensor of claim 12.

14. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a center portion overlapping with the intake port and a plurality of arc portions concentrically arranged around the center portion, The first electrode portion has a first arc portion extending in an arc shape along the inlet, and a plurality of first radial portions extending from the first arc portion radially outward of the first arc portion, The second electrode portion has a second arc portion extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge, and a plurality of second radial portions extending from the second arc portion toward a radially inner side of the second arc portion, The first radial portions and the second radial portions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet and overlap the plurality of arc portions. The sensor of claim 13.

15. The detection unit includes a concentration detection unit that detects the concentration of a component of the liquid as the physical quantity. The sensor of claim 1 .

16. The concentration detection unit has at least one concentration sensor selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen ion concentration sensor for detecting a concentration of hydrogen ions, an electrolyte concentration sensor for detecting a concentration of an electrolyte, a metabolite concentration sensor for detecting a concentration of a metabolite, and a component concentration sensor for detecting a concentration of a specific component. The sensor of claim 15.

17. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a center portion overlapping with the intake port and a plurality of arc portions concentrically arranged around the center portion, the detection unit has an amount detection unit that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit has a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit, The first electrode portion has a first arc portion extending in an arc shape along the inlet, and a plurality of first radial portions extending from the first arc portion radially outward of the first arc portion, The second electrode portion has a second arc portion extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge, and a plurality of second radial portions extending from the second arc portion toward a radially inner side of the second arc portion, The first radial portion and the second radial portion are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet and overlap with the plurality of arc portions, The concentration sensor is disposed in a region surrounded by a pair of adjacent radial portions among the plurality of first radial portions and the plurality of second radial portions, and the first arc portion. The sensor of claim 16.

18. The first electrode portion has a first conductor portion extending linearly on a side opposite to the inlet, The second electrode portion has a second conductor portion extending linearly on a side opposite to the inlet, the concentration detection unit has a sensor connection portion connected to the concentration sensor, and a third conductor portion extending linearly from the sensor connection portion to a side opposite to the inlet, the pair of radial portions are radial portions that are arranged on the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion side among the plurality of first radial portions and the plurality of second radial portions, The third conductor portion is disposed between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion.

20. The sensor of claim 17.

19. A sensor according to claim 1; a measuring device connected to the sensor; Measurement system.

20. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a center portion overlapping with the intake port and a plurality of arc portions concentrically arranged around the center portion, the detection unit has an amount detection unit that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit has a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit, The first electrode portion has a first arc portion extending in an arc shape along the inlet, and a plurality of first radial portions extending from the first arc portion radially outward of the first arc portion, The second electrode portion has a second arc portion extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge, and a plurality of second radial portions extending from the second arc portion toward a radially inner side of the second arc portion, The first radial portion and the second radial portion are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet and overlap with the plurality of arc portions, The measurement device includes a processor. The processor derives at least one of the amount of liquid and the discharge speed of the liquid based on a change in a value of a voltage applied between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion caused by a change in a contact state between the liquid and the first radial portion and the second radial portion depending on the amount of the liquid held by the sponge.

20. The measurement system of claim 19.

21. A measurement system comprising the sensor according to claim 1 and a measurement device connected to the sensor, Taking in the steam through the intake port; The sponge absorbs the vapor and retains the liquid converted from the vapor; a physical quantity related to the liquid held by the sponge is detected by the detection unit; and obtaining a measurement value related to the liquid based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit. Measurement method.

22. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a center portion overlapping with the intake port and a plurality of arc portions concentrically arranged around the center portion, the detection unit has an amount detection unit that detects the amount of the liquid as the physical quantity, The amount detection unit has a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit, The first electrode portion has a first arc portion extending in an arc shape along an outer circumferential portion of the sponge, and a plurality of first radial portions extending from the first arc portion radially inward of the first arc portion, The second electrode portion has a second arc portion extending in an arc shape along the inlet, and a plurality of second radial portions extending from the second arc portion radially outward of the second arc portion, The first radial portion and the second radial portion are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet and overlap with the plurality of arc portions, The first radial portions and the second radial portions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inlet, The measurement device includes a processor. The measurement method includes deriving, by the processor, as the measurement value, at least one of the amount of the liquid and a discharge speed of the liquid, based on a change in a value of a voltage applied between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion caused by a change in a contact state between the liquid and the first radial portion and the second radial portion depending on the amount of the liquid held by the sponge. The measurement method according to claim 21.

23. Using the sensor according to claim 1, Taking in the steam through the intake port; The sponge absorbs the vapor and retains the liquid converted from the vapor; and visually indicating the amount of said liquid retained by said sponge. How liquid quantities are presented.

24. The sponge is formed in a single stroke having a center portion overlapping with the intake port and a plurality of arc portions concentrically arranged around the center portion, The core contains a water-soluble pigment, The method includes visually displaying the amount of the liquid by the extent of the dye spreading on the sponge according to the amount of the liquid.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the liquid quantity is indicated.

25. A method for manufacturing the sponge used in the sensor according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: a production step of decomposing the chitin obtained from the fungus into chitosan, and mixing the chitosan with an additive and a solution to produce a gel-like mixture; A stirring step of stirring the mixture; a freezing step for obtaining an intermediate product having an internal skeleton by freezing the mixture; a thawing step of thawing the intermediate product; a crosslinking step of crosslinking the intermediate product; producing the sponge from the mixture by How sponges are made.

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