Secretion component measurement device

Abstract

To shorten the time required to guide secretion from a living body to a sensor.SOLUTION: A secretion component measurement device 1 includes: a first flow path 12 which is disposed on the skin 2 and in which liquid flowing in from a first inflow port 12a flows toward a first outflow port 12b together with secretion from the skin 2; a measuring device 16 which measures components in the secretion; and a second flow path 14 through which liquid flows from a second inflow port 14a connected to the first outflow port 12b toward a second outflow port 14b. A portion of the measuring device 16 is disposed inside the second flow path 14. The second inflow port 14a is located directly above the first outflow port 12b. The second inflow port 14a is directly connected to the first outflow port 12b. The secretion is sweat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the assessment of the amount of a substance in a secretion from a living body, in particular in sweat. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for measuring the amount of substances (such as lactic acid) in sweat have been known.

[0003] For example, there is known a technique in which a device is attached to the skin of the human body to absorb sweat and measure substances in the absorbed sweat with a sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 (eg, wicking layer 500)).

[0004] However, according to such conventional techniques, the sweat remains absorbed in the sweat-absorbing layer, and therefore the sweat that was generated before the sweat to be measured is generated remains in the sweat-absorbing layer, making the measurement of the amount of the substance in the sweat inaccurate.

[0005] Also known is a technique in which a device is attached to the skin of the human body, sweat is collected through a flow path, and substances in the collected sweat are measured by a sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 3 and Non-Patent Document 1).

[0006] However, with such conventional techniques, when the amount of sweat is small, the sweat evaporates before reaching the sensor, resulting in inaccurate measurement of the amount of substance in the sweat.

[0007] Therefore, a technique (hereinafter referred to as "flow type measurement") is known in which phosphate buffered saline is flowed over the skin surface, guided to a sensor, and substances in sweat are measured by the sensor (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). With flow type measurement, the problem of sweat remaining in the layer that absorbs the sweat does not occur. Moreover, with flow type measurement, even if the amount of sweat is small, the phosphate buffered saline can make the sweat reach the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6954301 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0307372 [Patent Document 3] China Patent Application Publication No. 113125537 [Non-Patent Document 1] Jonghyun Son et.al.,"Cactus-Spine-Inspired Sweat-CollectingPatch for Fast and Continuous Monitoring of Sweat", Advanced Materials,2021, 2102740, p.1-9 [Non-Patent Document 2] Keigo Enomoto and 2 others, “Real-time measurement system of lactate secretion on the skin surface for the purpose of evaluating exercise load”, IEEJ Transactions on Sensors and Micromachines, Vol. 137, No. 12, 2017, pp. 450-454 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, with the above-described flow-type measurement, a flow path for the phosphate-buffered saline solution flowing over the skin surface and a flow path for guiding the sweat-containing phosphate-buffered saline solution to the sensor must be connected by a tube.

[0010] Therefore, the time it takes for the sweat-containing phosphate buffered saline to reach the sensor increases depending on the length of the tube.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to shorten the time it takes for secretions from a living body to be guided to a sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The secretion component measuring device of the present invention comprises a first flow path that is placed on the skin and through which liquid flowing in from a first inlet flows toward a first outlet together with secretions from the skin, a measuring device that measures components in the secretions, and a second flow path through which the liquid flows from a second inlet connected to the first outlet toward a second outlet, with a part of the measuring device being positioned inside the second flow path and the second inlet being positioned directly above the first outlet.

[0013] According to the secretion component measuring device configured as described above, the first flow path is disposed on the skin, and liquid flowing in from the first inlet flows toward the first outlet together with secretions from the skin. A measuring device measures the components in the secretions. The second flow path allows the liquid to flow from a second inlet connected to the first outlet toward the second outlet. A part of the measuring device is disposed inside the second flow path. The second inlet is disposed directly above the first outlet.

[0014] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the second inlet may be directly connected to the first outlet.

[0015] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the secretion may be sweat.

[0016] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the components may be lactic acid, sugar, uric acid, mineral components or active oxygen.

[0017] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the measuring device may be an electrochemical sensor, a calorimetric sensor or a quartz crystal microbalance sensor.

[0018] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the first flow path may have three or more straight flow paths, and the extending directions of adjacent straight flow paths may be different from each other.

[0019] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the second flow path may be branched.

[0020] In the secretion component measuring device according to the present invention, the second flow path may be disposed at a position other than directly above the first flow path.

[0021] In addition, the secretion component measuring device of the present invention may be configured so that the first flow path has a linear first outlet-side flow path connected to the first outlet, the second flow path has a linear second inlet-side flow path connected to the second inlet, and the second inlet-side flow path is arranged directly above the first outlet-side flow path.

[0022] In addition, the secretion component measuring device of the present invention may be configured so that the first flow path has a first inlet side flow path connected to the first inlet, the second flow path has a second outlet side flow path connected to the second outlet, and the first inlet side flow path and the second outlet side flow path are arranged on opposite sides to each other in the extension direction of the second inlet side flow path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, of a secretion component measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first substrate 120 taken along the line II-II. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second substrate 140 taken along the line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a plan view of the second substrate 140 when the measuring device 16 is attached to the secretion component measuring device 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing a first flow path 12 in a secretion component measuring device 1 according to a first modified example. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a plan view showing a second flow path 14 in a secretion component measuring device 1 according to a second modified example. FIG. [Figure 8]11 is a plan view showing a first flow path 12 and a second flow path 14 in a secretion component measuring device 1 according to a third modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a plan view (FIG. 1(a)) and a front view (FIG. 1(b)) of a secretion component measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along II-II of a first substrate 120. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III of a second substrate 140. However, for convenience of illustration, measuring device 16 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is omitted in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0026] The secretion component measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate 120, a second substrate 140, a first tube attachment port 11, a second tube attachment port 15, a PBS supply unit 10, a pump 17, a waste liquid storage unit 18, and tubes T1, T2, and T3. Note that while the tubes T1, T2, and T3 are illustrated as straight lines for convenience of illustration, in reality they are curved and have slack.

[0027] The PBS supply unit 10 is for storing PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) and supplying PBS to the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 14. The PBS supply unit 10 is attached to the first tube attachment port 11 via a tube T1.

[0028] The first tube attachment port 11 is attached directly above the first inlet 12a.

[0029] The first substrate 120 has a first flow path 12. The first flow path 12 has a first inlet 12a, a first outlet 12b, a first outlet-side flow path 12c, and a first inlet-side flow path 12d.

[0030] The first flow path 12 is disposed on the skin 2. The first flow path 12 is open to the bottom surface of the first substrate 120. A liquid (PBS) flows in from the first inlet 12a. The liquid (PBS) flows toward the first outlet 12b together with secretions (e.g., sweat) from the skin 2. The first inlet 12a is a circular hole penetrating the first substrate 120 and the second substrate 140. The first outlet 12b is a circular hole penetrating the first substrate 120.

[0031] The first outlet-side flow path 12c is a straight flow path connected to the first outlet 12b. The first inlet-side flow path 12d is a straight flow path connected to the first inlet 12a.

[0032] The second tube attachment port 15 is attached directly above the second outlet port 14b.

[0033] The second substrate 140 has a second flow path 14. The second flow path 14 has a second inlet 14a, a second outlet 14b, a second inlet-side flow path 14c, and a second outlet-side flow path 14d. The second substrate 140 is attached directly above the first substrate 120.

[0034] The second inlet 14a is connected to the first outlet 12b. A liquid (PBS) flows from the second inlet 14a toward the second outlet 14b together with secretions (sweat). The second inlet 14a is provided in the second substrate 140 and is a circular hole that opens downwardly of the second substrate 140. The second outlet 14b is provided in the second substrate 140 and is a circular hole that opens upwardly of the second substrate 140.

[0035] The second inlet 14a is disposed directly above the first outlet 12b and is directly connected to the first outlet 12b.

[0036] The second inlet side flow path 14c is a straight flow path connected to the second inlet 14a. The second outlet side flow path 14d is a straight flow path connected to the second outlet 14b. The second inlet side flow path 14c and the second outlet side flow path 14d are disposed inside the second substrate 140.

[0037] The second inlet side flow passage 14c is disposed directly above the first outlet side flow passage 12c.

[0038] In addition, the first inlet side flow path 12d and the second outlet side flow path 14d are arranged on opposite sides to each other in the extending direction of the second inlet side flow path 14c. For example, in Fig. 1(a), the first inlet side flow path 12d is arranged above the second inlet side flow path 14c, and the second outlet side flow path 14d is arranged below the second inlet side flow path 14c.

[0039] In addition, in FIG. 1(a), the first inlet side flow path 12d, the second outlet side flow path 14d, and the second inlet side flow path 14c appear to form a Y shape.

[0040] The second tube attachment port 15 is attached directly above the second outlet port 14b.

[0041] The pump 17 sucks the liquid (PBS) from the second outlet 14b. The pump 17 is attached to the second tube attachment port 15 via a tube T2. The waste liquid storage section 18 is attached to the pump 17 via a tube T3. The liquid (containing secretions (sweat)) sucked out by the pump 17 is stored in the waste liquid storage section 18 as waste liquid.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the measuring device 16. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the second substrate 140 when the measuring device 16 is attached to the secretion component measuring device 1.

[0043] The measuring device 16 measures components in the secretion (sweat). The measuring device 16 may be, for example, an electrochemical sensor, a calorimetric sensor, or a quartz crystal microbalance sensor. In this embodiment, the measuring device 16 is a well-known electrochemical sensor.

[0044] The components measured by measuring device 16 may be, for example, lactic acid, sugar, uric acid, mineral components (for example, sodium), or active oxygen. In this embodiment, the component measured by measuring device 16 is lactic acid.

[0045] The measuring device 16 has electrodes CE, WE, RE, wirings 162C, 164C, 162W, 164W, 162R, 164R, and a substrate 166.

[0046] The electrode CE is a counter electrode, the electrode WE is a working electrode, and the electrode RE is a reference electrode (for example, a silver-silver chloride electrode). A thin wire 162C is connected to the electrode CE, and a thick wire 164C is connected to the wire 162C. A thin wire 162R is connected to the electrode RE, and a thick wire 164R is connected to the wire 162R. A thin wire 162W is connected to the electrode WE, and a thick wire 164W is connected to the wire 162W. The wires 164C, 164R, and 164W are disposed on a substrate 166. The wires 164C, 164R, and 164W are connected to a potentiostat (not shown), and an output corresponding to the concentration of lactic acid in the secretion (sweat) is obtained from the potentiostat.

[0047] The electrode WE has a layer of Prussian blue formed on a layer of carbon graphite, and a layer of lactate oxidase formed on the Prussian blue layer. The electrode CE is a layer of carbon graphite. The electrode RE has a layer of silver-silver chloride formed on a layer of carbon graphite.

[0048] Although the measuring device 16 is omitted in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, it is actually attached to the secretion component measuring device 1 as shown in Fig. 5. Electrodes CE, WE, and RE, which are parts of the measuring device 16, are partially disposed inside the second inlet side flow path 14c of the second flow path 14.

[0049] Although the measuring device 16 has been described as having one working electrode (electrode WE), multiple working electrodes (electrodes WE) may be provided, with different enzyme layers disposed on each electrode, so that different components are measured.

[0050] Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0051] The lower portions of first inlet side flow path 12d and first outlet side flow path 12c are open toward skin 2, and sweat secreted from skin 2 flows into first inlet side flow path 12d and first outlet side flow path 12c.

[0052] Here, PBS is sucked out from the PBS supply unit 10 by the pump 17, and is provided to the first inlet 12a via the tube T1 and the first tube attachment port 11. The PBS further flows through the first inlet-side flow path 12d and the first outlet-side flow path 12c, washes away sweat secreted from the skin 2 from the skin 2, and heads toward the first outlet 12b together with the washed-away sweat.

[0053] The PBS (containing sweat) that has flowed toward the first outlet 12b moves to the second inlet 14a that is directly connected directly above the first outlet 12b, and flows through the second inlet-side flow path 14c.

[0054] A current corresponding to the lactic acid in the sweat is generated by the measuring device 16 through the electrodes CE, WE, and RE arranged in the second inlet side flow path 14c, and the concentration of lactic acid can be measured.

[0055] At the electrode WE, lactic acid is decomposed by the enzyme to produce hydrogen peroxide, which then undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction to produce electrons. These electrons are injected into the carbon graphite layer, using the Prussian blue layer of the electrode WE as an electron mediator. These injected electrons then move to the electrode CE, causing a current to flow between the electrodes CE and WE. However, an electric potential is required for the Prussian blue layer to inject electrons, and this potential (0 V) is provided by the electrode RE.

[0056] The PBS (containing sweat) that has flowed through the second inlet side flow path 14c flows through the second outlet side flow path 14d, and is sucked out by the pump 17 via the second outlet 14b, the second tube attachment port 15, and the tube T2.

[0057] The sucked out PBS (containing sweat) is given to the waste liquid storage section 18 via the tube T3 and is stored as waste liquid.

[0058] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the second inlet 14a is disposed directly above the first outlet 12b, it is possible to shorten the time required for the PBS (containing sweat) to move from the first substrate 120 to the second substrate 140. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the secretion from the living body (for example, sweat) to be guided to the measuring device 16.

[0059] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when placing the secretion component measuring device 1 on the skin 2, there is no need to connect the second inlet 14a and the first outlet 12b with a tube, thereby reducing the effort required when placing the secretion component measuring device 1 on the skin 2.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the second inlet side flow passage 14c is disposed directly above the first outlet side flow passage 12c, the first flow passage 12 and the second flow passage 14 can be accommodated in a smaller space.

[0061] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first inlet side flow path 12d and the second outlet side flow path 14d are arranged on opposite sides to each other in the extension direction of the second inlet side flow path 14c, so that the first inlet side flow path 12d and the second outlet side flow path 14d can be stored in a smaller space.

[0062] The following modifications are possible to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] <Variation 1> Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the first flow path 12 in the secretion component measuring device 1 according to Modification 1. However, the first substrate 120 is omitted in Fig. 6. Also, in Fig. 6, the first flow path 12 is simply shown by a thick line.

[0064] The first flow path 12 according to the first modification is a broken line. That is, the first flow path 12 has three or more straight flow paths 12e, and the extension directions of the adjacent straight flow paths 12e are different from each other. For example, the extension direction of the second straight flow path 12e from the left is different from the extension direction of the leftmost straight flow path 12e and the extension direction of the third straight flow path 12e from the left.

[0065] In this way, by forming first flow path 12 in a bent line shape, it is possible to expand the area of ​​skin 2 that acquires sweat without making first flow path 12 thick.

[0066] <Variation 2> Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the second flow path 14 in the secretion component measuring device 1 according to Modification 2. However, the second substrate 140 is omitted in Fig. 7. Also, in Fig. 7, the second flow path 14 is simply shown by a thick line.

[0067] The second flow path 14 according to the second modification is branched into flow paths 14e and 14f.

[0068] In this way, by branching the second flow path 14, a measuring device 16 can be installed for each of the flow paths 14e and 14f, so that a plurality of measuring devices 16 can be installed.

[0069] <Variation 3> Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 14 in the secretion component measuring device 1 according to Modification 3. However, the first substrate 120 and the second substrate 140 are omitted from Fig. 8. Also, in Fig. 8, the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 14 are simply shown by thick lines.

[0070] The second flow path 14 is disposed at a position different from that directly above the first flow path 12 according to the modification 3. In this case, the space for accommodating the first flow path 12 and the second flow path 14 becomes large, but this is preferable when it is necessary to dispose the first inlet 12a and the second outlet 14b far apart from each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Secretion component measuring device 2 skin 120 First board 12 First flow path 12a First inlet 12b First outlet 12c First outlet side channel 12d First inlet side channel 12e Straight channel 140 Second board 14 Second flow path 14a Second inlet 14b Second outlet 14c Second inlet side flow path 14d Second outlet side channel 14e, 14f Flow path 10 PBS supply section 11 First tube attachment port 15 Second tube attachment port 16 Measuring instruments 17 Pump 18 Waste liquid storage section CE, WE, RE electrodes T1, T2, T3 Tubes

Claims

1. A first flow path is disposed on the skin, and through which liquid flowing in from a first inlet flows toward a first outlet together with secretions from the skin; A measuring device for measuring components in the secretion; a second flow path through which the liquid flows from a second inlet connected to the first outlet toward the second outlet; Equipped with A portion of the measuring device is disposed inside the second flow path, The second inlet is disposed directly above the first outlet. Secretion component measuring device.

2. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The second inlet is directly connected to the first outlet. Secretion component measuring device.

3. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The secretion is sweat. Secretion component measuring device.

4. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The component is lactic acid, sugar, uric acid, a mineral component, or active oxygen. Secretion component measuring device.

5. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The measuring device is an electrochemical sensor, a calorimetric sensor, or a quartz crystal microbalance sensor. Secretion component measuring device.

6. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The first flow path has three or more straight flow paths, The extension directions of the adjacent linear flow paths are different from each other. Secretion component measuring device.

7. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The second flow path is branched. Secretion component measuring device.

8. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The second flow path is disposed at a position other than directly above the first flow path. Secretion component measuring device.

9. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 1, The first flow path has a linear first outlet-side flow path connected to the first outlet, the second flow path has a linear second inlet-side flow path connected to the second inlet, A second inlet side flow passage is disposed directly above the first outlet side flow passage. Secretion component measuring device.

10. The secretion component measuring device according to claim 9, The first flow path has a first inlet side flow path connected to the first inlet, the second flow path has a second outlet-side flow path connected to the second outlet, the first inlet-side flow path and the second outlet-side flow path are disposed on opposite sides to each other in an extension direction of the second inlet-side flow path. Secretion component measuring device.

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