Sweat sampling device, sweat component analysis system, and sweat component analysis method

Abstract

To provide a sweat sampling device capable of measuring changes in sweat components and sweat volume over time.SOLUTION: A sweat sampling device 11 includes: a device main body 13 that has a skin surface 13a and an outer surface 13b; a first sweat collection path 15 that is formed facing skin surface 13a for allowing a first carrier fluid to flow; and a second sweat collection path 17 that is formed facing the skin surface 13a independent from the first sweat collection path 15 for allowing a second carrier fluid to flow. The first carrier fluid is fed to a component analyzer via the first sweat collection path 15 and the second carrier fluid is fed to a sweat rate measuring device via the second sweat collection path 17. The concentration of each sweat component is calculated based on the amount of each sweat component analyzed by the component analyzer and the sweat rate measured by a sweat rate measuring device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the analysis of sweat components, which is one of the challenges in biomeasurement, and more particularly to a sweat sampling device, a sweat component analysis system, and a sweat component analysis method for continuously collecting sweat and analyzing one or more types of sweat components. [Background technology]

[0002] One of the challenges in biomeasurement is the analysis of sweat components. Sweat plays an important role in biological processes such as regulating body temperature, maintaining salt balance, and excreting harmful substances. Therefore, analyzing sweat components is key to understanding these processes and is expected to be useful in sports science, exercise physiology, clinical medicine, environmental toxicology, and more.

[0003] Known methods for analyzing sweat components include those described in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3 and Patent Document 1. Non-Patent Document 1 describes a method for analyzing sweat components using a 42 cm2 surface area suction device. 2 A method for analyzing the concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) from sweat cumulatively collected in a sampling patch attached to the body during a fixed period (90 minutes) of exercise is disclosed. Non-Patent Document 2 describes a polypropylene tube with an inner diameter of 7 mm and a volume of 650 μL containing 100 μL of distilled water, which is held in contact with the thumb pad for 10 minutes, and the sweat dissolved in the distilled water from the thumb is collected and analyzed for chloride ions in the sweat cumulatively collected in the tube. Non-Patent Document 3 describes a sampling device attached to the arm, which collects sweat using a phosphate buffer solution as a carrier and transfers it to a lactate sensor to analyze the lactate in the sweat. Patent Document 1 describes a patch, system, and method for noninvasive glucose measurement, which includes a patch equipped with a microfluidic collection layer and a detector, and describes measuring glucose contained in sweat collected from the skin surface by the microfluidic collection layer. It also describes estimating the amount of collected sweat by measuring the relative humidity of the skin under the patch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-539549 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] LB Baker, JR Stofan, AA Hamilton, CA Horswill, “Comparison of regional patch collection vs. whole body washdown for measuring sweat sodium and potassium loss during exercise”, J. Appl. Physiol., 107, p.887-895, 2009 [Non-patent document 2] Nakano, M., Ishiguro, H., Shirota, K., Yamamoto, A., Hong, S., Goto, H., Fujiki, R., Kondo, T., Endo, A., and Naruse, T., "Development of a simple method for measuring chloride concentration in sweat," Spleen, 23: pp. 486-493, 2008. [Non-patent document 3] Y. Goto, Y. Suzuki, K. Morisawa, A. Hosoyama, Y. Taira, H. Kudo, “Continuous assessment of sweat lactic acid secretion using microfluidic sweat lactic acid monitoring system”, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1192, 012006, 2021 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The methods disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, allow for quantitative analysis of sweat components by cumulatively collecting sweat over a certain time or period and then subjecting it to an analytical device for analysis. However, because the sweat collected cumulatively over a certain time or period is analyzed, only discrete measurements of the amount of sweat components are possible, and information on changes in the components during the sweating process cannot be obtained. Furthermore, the methods disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 3 and 1, for example, attach a sampling device to the sweating site and send sweat to a measuring device using a buffer solution to obtain information on changes over time in the amount of components such as lactic acid, but only a single component can be measured. Furthermore, neither method provides information on instantaneous changes in sweat rate, nor does it provide information on the concentration of each component in sweat.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems present in the prior art and to make it possible to measure changes in the components of sweat and the amount of sweat over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In view of the above object, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a device body having a skin-side surface that is attached to the skin and faces the skin, and an outer surface other than the skin-side surface; a first sweat collection channel formed facing the skin-side surface, extending between a first inlet end and a first outlet end to allow a first carrier fluid to flow; and a second sweat collection channel formed facing the skin-side surface independently of the first sweat collection channel, extending between a second inlet end and a second outlet end to allow a second carrier fluid to flow; a first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole communicating with the first inlet end and for receiving the first carrier fluid, a first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole communicating with the first outlet end and for discharging the first carrier fluid, a second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole communicating with the second inlet end and for receiving the second carrier fluid, and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole communicating with the second outlet end and for discharging the second carrier fluid, formed on the outer surface.

[0009] In the sweat sampling device, a first sweat collection channel and a second sweat collection channel are formed on the skin-side surface of the device main body that is attached to the skin, so that when the device main body is attached to the skin, sweat from the skin surface can be collected in the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel. Furthermore, a first inlet end of the first sweat collection channel communicates with a first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole provided on the outer surface, a first outlet end of the first sweat collection channel communicates with a first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole provided on the outer surface, a second inlet end of the second sweat collection channel communicates with a second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole provided on the outer surface, and a second outlet end of the second sweat collection channel communicates with a second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole provided on the outer surface. With this configuration, the first carrier fluid supplied to the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole can be supplied to the first sweat collecting channel, and sweat collected in the first sweat collecting channel together with the first carrier fluid can be discharged from the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole, and the second carrier fluid supplied to the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole can be supplied to the second sweat collecting channel, and sweat collected in the second sweat collecting channel together with the second carrier fluid can be discharged from the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole. Therefore, by continuously supplying the first carrier fluid and the second carrier fluid to the first sweat collecting channel and the second sweat collecting channel, respectively, the sweat collected in the first sweat collecting channel and the second sweat collecting channel can be continuously transported to the outside by the first carrier fluid and the second carrier fluid, respectively, and measured, thereby enabling continuous quantitative measurement of each sweat component. In addition, the amount of sweat can be continuously measured from the difference between the amount of the first carrier fluid or the second carrier fluid supplied to the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole or the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole and the amount of fluid discharged from the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole or the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole. Furthermore, since the first sweat collection path and the second sweat collection path are formed independently, the sweat collected in the first sweat collection path and the second sweat collection path can be measured without affecting each other.

[0010] In the sweat sampling device, the first carrier fluid may be a liquid carrier liquid, and the second carrier fluid may be a gaseous carrier gas. In this case, the diameters of the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole and the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole are preferably larger than the diameters of the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole. Furthermore, it is preferable that the width and length of the first sweat collection channel on the skin side surface are equal to the width and length of the second sweat collection channel on the skin side surface, and the height of the second sweat collection channel is larger than the height of the first sweat collection channel.

[0011] Furthermore, sweat discharge grooves for discharging sweat may be formed on the skin-side surface, independent of the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel may be sweat collection channels that extend in a serpentine manner.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a sweat sampling device having a skin-side surface on which a first sweat collection channel and a second sweat collection channel that are attached to face the skin and independent of each other are formed, a first carrier fluid supply source for storing a first carrier fluid, a second carrier fluid supply source for storing a second carrier fluid, a component analyzer for measuring the amount of one or more components contained in the fluid, and a sweat amount measuring device for measuring the amount of sweat contained in the fluid, wherein a first carrier fluid supply pipe extending from the first carrier fluid supply source is connected to the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device, and the first carrier fluid is Provided is a sweat component analysis system in which the first carrier fluid is supplied from a supply source to the first sweat collection channel at a predetermined flow rate, a first carrier fluid discharge pipe extending to the component analysis device is connected to the first sweat collection channel, and a second carrier fluid supply pipe extending from the second carrier fluid supply source is connected to the second sweat collection channel, so that the second carrier fluid is supplied from the second carrier fluid supply source to the second sweat collection channel at a predetermined flow rate, and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe extending to the sweat rate measurement device is connected to the second sweat collection channel.

[0014] In the sweat component analyzing system, a first sweat collection channel and a second sweat collection channel are formed on the skin-side surface of a sweat sampling device that is attached to the skin. When the sweat sampling device is attached to the skin, sweat from the skin surface can be collected in the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel. Furthermore, a first carrier fluid can be supplied from a first carrier fluid supply source to the first sweat collection channel via a first carrier fluid supply pipe, and sweat collected in the first sweat collection channel together with the first carrier fluid can be sent to the component analyzing device via a first carrier fluid discharge pipe. A second carrier fluid can be supplied from a second carrier fluid supply source to the second sweat collection channel via a second carrier fluid supply pipe, and sweat collected in the second sweat collection channel together with the second carrier fluid can be sent to the sweat rate measuring device via a second carrier fluid discharge pipe. This allows for continuous quantitative measurement of each sweat component. In addition, the amount of sweat can be continuously measured from the difference between the amount of the first carrier fluid or the second carrier fluid supplied to the first sweat collection channel or the second sweat collection channel and the amount of fluid discharged from the first sweat collection channel or the second sweat collection channel. Furthermore, since the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel are formed independently, the analysis of each component of sweat and the measurement of the amount of sweat can be performed without affecting each other.

[0015] It is preferable that the sweat component analysis system further includes a component concentration measurement device that determines the concentration of one or more components contained in sweat based on the measurement results of the component analysis device and the measurement results of the sweat rate measurement device.

[0016] In the sweat component analysis system, the first carrier fluid may be a liquid carrier liquid having known components and concentrations, the second carrier fluid may be a gaseous carrier gas having known temperature and humidity, the first carrier fluid supply source may be a carrier liquid supply source, the second carrier fluid supply source may be a carrier gas supply source, and the sweat rate measuring device may be a temperature and humidity sensor.

[0017] In the sweat component analyzing system, sweat discharge grooves for discharging sweat may be formed on the skin-side surface, independently of the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel may be sweat collection channels that extend in a serpentine manner.

[0019] In one embodiment, a flow rate control device may be provided on each of the first carrier fluid supply pipe and the second carrier fluid supply pipe, and a peristaltic pump may be provided on the first carrier fluid supply pipe and a flow rate adjustment valve may be provided on the second carrier fluid supply pipe.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention provides a sweat component analysis method for analyzing sweat components over time, comprising the steps of: preparing a sweat sampling device having a skin-side surface on which first and second sweat collection channels independent of each other are formed; attaching the sweat sampling device to a measurement subject so that the skin-side surface faces the skin of a measurement site; connecting the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device to a component analyzer capable of measuring the amount of at least one type of sweat component; and connecting the second sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device to a sweat rate measurement device capable of measuring the amount of sweat. and a step of supplying a first carrier fluid at a predetermined flow rate to the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device, a step of supplying a second carrier fluid at a predetermined flow rate to the second sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device, and a step of measuring, using the component analysis device, the amount of each of single or multiple sweat components contained in the first carrier fluid discharged from the first sweat collection channel over time, and measuring, using the sweat volume measurement device, the amount of sweat contained in the second carrier fluid discharged from the second sweat collection channel, thereby determining the amount of sweat over time.

[0021] In the sweat component analysis method, it is preferable that the first carrier fluid is a liquid carrier liquid having known components and concentrations, and the second carrier fluid is a gaseous carrier gas having known temperature and humidity, and it is even more preferable that the first carrier fluid is pure water, and the second carrier fluid is dry air having known temperature and humidity.

[0022] It is also preferable that the concentration of each of the plurality of sweat components in the collected sweat be determined based on the measurement results of the component analyzer and the measurement results of the sweat rate measuring device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the sweat sampling device, sweat component analysis system, and sweat component analysis method of the present invention, sweat exuded from the skin surface can be collected in a first sweat collection channel and a second sweat collection channel formed on the skin-side surface of the sweat sampling device. Furthermore, a first carrier fluid and a second carrier fluid are supplied to the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel, respectively, and can be continuously sent to, for example, a component analyzer and a sweat volume measuring device. Furthermore, because the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel are formed independently of each other, the sweat sent from each channel can be measured and analyzed separately, for example, simultaneously and over time to analyze the components of sweat and measure the amount of sweat without affecting each other. In this way, since the components of sweat and the amount of sweat can be analyzed and measured simultaneously, it is possible to measure the concentration of sweat over time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a sweat sampling device according to the present invention, viewed from the skin side. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view showing the outer surface opposite the skin-side surface of the sweat sampling device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the sweat sampling device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a sweat component analysis system using the sweat sampling device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a sweat component analysis method using the sweat component analysis system shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a component analysis verification device for verifying the accuracy of component analysis of a sweat component analysis system. [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a sweat volume measurement verification device for verifying the accuracy of sweat volume measurement by a sweat component analysis system. FIG. [Figure 10] 7 is a graph showing the results of identifying substances attached to the skin surface, substances remaining in sweat pores, and sweat components obtained using the sweat component analysis system shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First, the overall configuration of a sweat sampling device 11 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The sweat sampling device 11 comprises a device main body 13 having a skin-side surface 13a that is attached to face the skin of a measurement target site and an outer surface 13b that does not face the skin, and a first sweat collection channel 15 and a second sweat collection channel 17 that are formed in the device main body 13 so as to face the skin-side surface 13a and are independent of each other and do not intersect (i.e., do not communicate with each other). The sweat sampling device 11 is configured so that the device main body 13 is attached in close proximity to the surface of the skin of the measurement target so that the skin-side surface 13a faces the skin of the measurement target site, and a first carrier fluid is circulated through the first sweat collection channel 15 and a second carrier fluid is circulated through the second sweat collection channel 17, thereby independently collecting sweat of the measurement target that comes from the skin facing the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17. The sweat sampling device 11 is applicable to humans, for example, but can also be applied to non-humans. In this specification, the "outer surface 13b" of the device main body 13 means the surface that does not face the skin and is exposed to the outside, and includes not only the surface opposite the skin-side surface 13a, but also the peripheral side surface of the device main body 13 adjacent to the skin-side surface 13a.

[0027] The device body 13 in the illustrated embodiment of the sweat sampling device has a plate shape to facilitate a wide contact area with the skin of the measurement subject. The skin-side surface 13a and the opposing surface face each other, with the peripheral side connecting the two. The opposing surface and the peripheral side constitute the outer surface 13b. The illustrated device body 13 is made of a synthetic resin material such as acrylic to prevent material-related allergies. However, the shape of the device body 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the skin of the measurement subject. For example, the skin-side surface 13a of the device body 13 may be flat or curved, conforming to the shape of the skin at the attachment point of the measurement subject. The outer surface 13b of the device body 13 may also be flat or curved. Furthermore, the material from which the device body 13 is made is not particularly limited as long as it does not adversely affect the skin of the measurement subject, and it can be made of a metal material or other materials.

[0028] The first sweat collection channel 15 extends between a first inlet end 15a and a first outlet end 15b, and similarly, the second sweat collection channel 17 extends between a second inlet end 17a and a second outlet end 17b. The first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 can be formed on the skin-side surface 13a by an appropriate method, such as cutting or molding. The first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 are preferably formed as grooves formed on the skin-side surface 13a so as to extend between the first inlet end 15a and the first outlet end 15b and between the second inlet end 17a and the second outlet end 17b. Furthermore, the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 preferably have the same width and length on the skin-facing surface 13a so as to equalize their areas facing the skin. However, the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 may be formed to have different widths and lengths on the skin-side surface 13a. Furthermore, the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 are preferably formed to extend in a serpentine manner between the first inlet end 15a and the first outlet end 15b and between the second inlet end 17a and the second outlet end 17b as shown in Fig. 1 in order to increase the area facing the skin of the measurement subject and facilitate sweat collection. However, the shapes of the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 are not particularly limited, and the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 may be formed to extend linearly or spirally.

[0029] 1, sweat discharge grooves 19 may be formed on the skin-side surface 13a of the device body 13, independent of the first sweat collection channels 15 and the second sweat collection channels 17 and without intersecting with them (i.e., without communicating with the first sweat collection channels 15 and the second sweat collection channels 17). Forming such sweat discharge grooves 19 reduces the contact area between the device body 13 and the skin of the measurement subject, making it easier to discharge sweat from between the surface of the skin of the measurement subject and areas of the skin-side surface 13a of the device body 13 other than the areas where the first sweat collection channels 15 and the second sweat collection channels 17 are formed, and preventing sweat leaking out from the skin from reducing the adhesion between the device body 13 and the skin of the measurement subject.

[0030] 2, the outer surface 13b of the device body 13 (specifically, the opposing surface in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2) is formed with a first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 and a first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23, as well as a second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 is formed to communicate with the first inlet end 15a of the first sweat collection channel 15, and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23 is formed to communicate with the first outlet end 15b of the first sweat collection channel 15. Therefore, by connecting a pipe extending from a first carrier fluid supply source to the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21, the first carrier fluid can be circulated through the first sweat collection channel 15, and sweat that has come out of the skin and collected in the first sweat collection channel 15 can be discharged together with the first carrier fluid to the outside through a discharge pipe connected to the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 5, the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 is formed to communicate with the second inlet end 17a of the second sweat collection channel 17, and the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 is formed to communicate with the second outlet end 17b of the second sweat collection channel 17. Therefore, by connecting a pipe extending from a supply source of the second carrier fluid to the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25, the second carrier fluid can be circulated through the second sweat collection path 17, and the sweat that comes out of the skin and is collected in the second sweat collection path 17 can be discharged to the outside together with the second carrier fluid through the discharge pipe connected to the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27.

[0031] As will be described later, when a liquid carrier liquid is used as the first carrier fluid and a gaseous carrier gas is used as the second carrier fluid, the flow rate of the second carrier fluid must be greater than the flow rate of the first carrier fluid. Therefore, the diameters of second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 and second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 are preferably larger than the diameters of first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 and first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23. In this case, in order to equalize the surface areas of the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 on the skin side surface 13a, i.e., the areas of the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 facing the skin, the width and length of the first sweat collection channel 15 on the skin side surface 13a are equal to the width and length of the second sweat collection channel 17 on the skin side surface 13a, while it is preferable to make the height of the second sweat collection channel 17 (i.e., the depth of the grooves constituting the second sweat collection channel 17) greater than the height of the first sweat collection channel 15 (i.e., the depth of the grooves constituting the first sweat collection channel 15) in order to allow a greater flow rate of fluid to circulate through the second sweat collection channel 17 than through the first sweat collection channel 15.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a fixing band groove 29 may be provided on the outer surface 13b of the device body 13. By arranging a fixing band (not shown) for fixing the sweat sampling device 11 in close contact with the measurement target so that the fixing band is housed in the fixing band groove 29, it is possible to prevent the sweat sampling device 11 from moving relative to the fixing band. To maintain the sweat sampling device 11 in close contact with the measurement target site, it is preferable to provide multiple fixing band grooves 29 on the outer surface 13b (in the illustrated embodiment, two fixing band grooves 29 are provided on the outer surface 13b). However, the fixing band groove 29 is not an essential component. For example, when the skin-side surface 13a is coated with an adhesive layer and fixed to the skin by the adhesive layer, the fixing band groove 29 does not need to be provided on the outer surface 13b. In addition, when the skin side surface 13a is covered with an adhesive layer to fix the skin side surface 13a to the skin, it is necessary to ensure that the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 are not covered with the adhesive layer so as not to prevent sweat from entering the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17.

[0033] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the overall configuration of a sweat component analyzing system 31 equipped with the sweat sampling device 11 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.

[0034] The sweat component analysis system 31 comprises a sweat sampling device 11, a first carrier fluid supply source 33 for storing a first carrier fluid, a second carrier fluid supply source 35 for storing a second carrier fluid, a component analysis device 37 capable of measuring the amount of single or multiple components contained in the fluid, a sweat volume measurement device 39 capable of measuring the amount of sweat contained in the fluid, and a component concentration measurement device 40.

[0035] The first carrier fluid supply source 33 connects a first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 extending from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 of the sweat sampling device 11, thereby enabling the first carrier fluid to be supplied to the first sweat collecting channel 15 of the sweat sampling device 11 at a predetermined flow rate via the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 for circulation. A first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 extending to the component analyzer 37 is connected to the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23 of the sweat sampling device 11, enabling sweat collected in the first sweat collecting channel 15 together with the first carrier fluid to be discharged from the first sweat collecting channel 15 and sent to the component analyzer 37. A first flow rate control device 45 is provided on the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 to adjust and control the flow rate of the first carrier fluid supplied to the first sweat collecting channel 15.

[0036] The second carrier fluid supply source 35 connects a second carrier fluid supply pipe 47 extending from the second carrier fluid supply source 35 to the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 of the sweat sampling device 11, thereby enabling the second carrier fluid to be supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17 of the sweat sampling device 11 at a predetermined flow rate via the second carrier fluid supply pipe 47 for circulation. The second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 of the sweat sampling device 11 is connected to a second carrier fluid discharge pipe 49 extending to the sweat rate measurement device 39, enabling sweat collected in the second sweat collection channel 17 together with the second carrier fluid to be discharged from the second sweat collection channel 17 and sent to the sweat rate measurement device 39. A second flow rate control device 51 is provided on the second carrier fluid supply pipe 47 to adjust and control the flow rate of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17.

[0037] By continuously supplying a first carrier fluid from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the first sweat collection channel 15 and continuously supplying a second carrier fluid from the second carrier fluid supply source 35 to the second sweat collection channel 17, the amount of sweat and the amount of each component contained in the sweat can be continuously measured, and it becomes possible to measure changes over time in the amount of sweat and the amount of each component contained in the sweat.

[0038] The first and second carrier fluids are preferably those that are mild to the skin and harmless to the human body. Preferably, the first carrier fluid is a liquid carrier fluid with known components and concentrations, and the second carrier fluid is a gaseous carrier gas with known temperature and humidity. It is even more preferable to use pure water as the first carrier fluid and dry air with known temperature and humidity as the second carrier fluid.

[0039] By using a liquid carrier fluid as the first carrier fluid, components contained in sweat can be sent to the component analyzer 37 in a state where they are contained in the first carrier fluid. Furthermore, sweat components can be analyzed after removing any pre-sweating skin surface deposits, thereby eliminating the effects of pre-sweating skin surface deposits. In this case, the component analyzer 37 can be, for example, an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, which measures output signals for each mass over time. Based on the intensity of each peak in the output signal spectrum and the intensity of each peak, the various components and their amounts contained in the delivered carrier fluid can be measured over time based on a previously acquired correlation between the signal intensity and the detected amount for each substance (specifically, its mass) to be measured, i.e., a calibration curve. If pure water is used as the first carrier fluid, it does not contain impurities, making component analysis easier. However, the carrier fluid is not limited to pure water, as long as the first carrier fluid has known components and concentrations, the effects of components originally contained in the carrier fluid can be corrected. When a liquid carrier fluid is used as the first carrier fluid, a peristaltic pump, for example, can be used as the first flow control device 45.

[0040] When measuring elements contained in sweat, the component analyzer 37 can be an atomic emission spectrometer, atomic absorption spectrometer, atomic fluorescence spectrometer, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, or the like. When optically analyzing components, the correlation between signal intensity and detected amount at the spectral frequency corresponding to the element to be measured is acquired in advance, and the contained element is identified based on the spectral frequency of the measured signal, and the detected amount of the element to be measured is calculated based on the previously acquired correlation. Furthermore, when measuring compounds contained in sweat, the component analyzer 37 can be an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, infrared spectrophotometer, Raman spectrophotometer, or the like.

[0041] By using a gaseous carrier gas as the second carrier fluid, the moisture in sweat can be evaporated and sent to the sweat rate measurement device 39 together with the second carrier fluid. The flow rate of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17 is determined so that the moisture in the sweat collected in the second sweat collection channel 17 can be completely evaporated. When a carrier gas is used as the second carrier fluid, the temperature and humidity of the second carrier fluid can be measured over time using, for example, a temperature and humidity sensor as the sweat rate measurement device 39, and the amount of moisture in the evaporated sweat can be measured over time from the known temperature and humidity of the second carrier fluid (i.e., carrier gas), the temperature and humidity of the second carrier fluid containing the moisture of evaporated sweat, and the predetermined amount of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17. Any appropriate temperature and humidity sensor can be used as long as it can measure temperature and humidity. Since the proportion of non-moisture content in sweat is very small, the measured moisture content can be treated as the sweat rate. Dry air with a known humidity is preferably used as the second carrier fluid because it is easily available and highly safe. When a gaseous carrier gas is used as the second carrier fluid, a flow rate control valve, for example, can be used as the second flow rate control device 51. However, it is also possible to use a liquid carrier fluid instead of a gaseous carrier gas as the second carrier fluid. Even in this case, the amount of sweat can be measured from the difference between the amount of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17 and the amount of fluid discharged from the second sweat collection channel 17.

[0042] When a carrier liquid is used as the first carrier fluid, the density is higher and the velocity is more likely to be reduced compared to when a carrier gas is used, and therefore it is preferable to provide an additional flow rate control device 53 such as a peristaltic pump on the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43. The flow rates controlled by the first flow rate control device 45 and the additional flow rate control device 53 are set to be equal. For example, one peristaltic pump may be shared as both the first flow rate control device 45 and the additional flow rate control device 53.

[0043] When a carrier liquid is used as the first carrier fluid and a carrier gas is used as the second carrier fluid, the sweat collected in the second sweat collection channel 17 is completely evaporated, and the moisture content of the sweat is measured as the sweat volume by the sweat volume measurement device 39. Therefore, the flow rate of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17 is preferably greater than the flow rate of the first carrier fluid supplied to the first sweat collection channel 15. Therefore, the cross-sectional areas of the second carrier fluid supply pipe 47, the second sweat collection channel 17, and the second carrier fluid discharge pipe 49, through which the second carrier fluid flows, are preferably larger than the cross-sectional areas of the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41, the first sweat collection channel 15, and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43, through which the first carrier fluid flows. Therefore, the diameters of the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 and the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 are preferably larger than the diameters of the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23. However, since it is preferable that the surface areas of the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 on the skin side surface 13a, i.e., the areas of the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 facing the skin, are equal, it is preferable that the width and length of the first sweat collection channel 15 on the skin side surface 13a be equal to the width and length of the second sweat collection channel 17 on the skin side surface 13a, while the height of the second sweat collection channel 17 (i.e., the depth of the grooves constituting the second sweat collection channel 17) be greater than the height of the first sweat collection channel 15 (i.e., the depth of the grooves constituting the first sweat collection channel 15) in order to allow a greater flow rate of fluid to circulate through the second sweat collection channel 17 than through the first sweat collection channel 15.

[0044] The component concentration measuring device 40 determines the concentration of each sweat component contained in sweat based on the measurement results from the component analyzer 37 (i.e., each sweat component in sweat and its amount) and the measurement results from the sweat volume measuring device 39 (i.e., the sweat volume). The component concentration measuring device 40 can be configured, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) and a program executed thereon.

[0045] In addition, the sweat component analysis system 31 shown in Figure 6 uses a mass spectrometer (more specifically, an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer) as the component analysis device 37, so that a standard solution supply source 57 storing an internal standard solution is connected to the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 via a T-connector 55, so that the internal standard solution can be sent to the component analysis device 37 together with the first carrier fluid containing sweat.

[0046] 6, a four-way selector valve 59 is provided between the first carrier fluid supply source 33 and the component analyzer 37 and the sweat sampling device 11, allowing switching between a state in which the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 are connected to the upstream and downstream sides of the sweat sampling device 11, respectively, and a state in which the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 are connected directly without passing through the sweat sampling device 11. That is, in the sweat component analysis system 31, the four-way selector valve 59 allows switching between a state in which the first carrier fluid is sent from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the component analyzer 37 via the sweat sampling device 11 and a state in which the first carrier fluid is sent directly from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the component analyzer 37 without passing through the sweat sampling device 11. This is because, as will be described later, when obtaining a calibration curve for the sweat component to be measured, a supply source of a standard solution for the sweat component to be measured can be provided in place of first carrier fluid supply source 33 so that the standard solution can be sent directly to component analyzer 37. Furthermore, component analyzer 37 needs to be turned off when the supply of fluid is stopped, but by providing four-way selector valve 59 as described above, it becomes possible to replace sweat sampling device 11 while continuing to supply first carrier fluid from first carrier fluid supply source 33 to component analyzer 37.

[0047] Next, referring to FIG. 7, the procedure for sweat component analysis using the sweat component analysis system shown in FIG. 6 will be described using an example in which a carrier liquid containing various components at known concentrations, in this case pure water, is used as the first carrier fluid, a carrier gas at a known temperature and humidity, in this case dry air at a known temperature and humidity, is used as the second carrier fluid, an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is used as the component analyzer 37, and a temperature and humidity sensor is used as the sweat rate measuring device 39.

[0048] First, a calibration curve is created in advance, i.e., a correlation between the amount of the target sweat component (i.e., element or compound in sweat) detected by the component analyzer 37 and the intensity of the signal output at that time (step S101). Specifically, a standard solution containing a predetermined concentration of the target element or compound is used as the first carrier fluid, and the four-way selector valve 59 is switched so that the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 are directly connected without passing through the sweat sampling device 11. The standard solution of the target element or compound is sent from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the component analyzer 37 via the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 without passing through the sweat sampling device 11, and analysis is performed to determine the signal intensity at the peak of the output signal spectrum. The above procedure is repeated with multiple concentrations of standard solutions for the target element or compound to create a calibration curve. The sweat sampling device 11 does not need to be attached to the skin of the measurement subject when creating the calibration curve. However, when the sweat sampling device 11 is not attached to the skin of the measurement subject, a plate or the like is attached to the skin-side surface 13a of the sweat sampling device 11 before measurement.

[0049] Next, the four-way switching valve 59 is switched so that the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 are connected to the sweat sampling device 11, and the first carrier fluid and the second carrier fluid are supplied to the sweat sampling device 11 at a predetermined flow rate (step S102). In detail, the four-way switching valve 59 is switched so that the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 are connected to the sweat sampling device 11, and the first carrier fluid is supplied from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 via the first carrier fluid supply pipe 41 to the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 of the sweat sampling device 11 at a set predetermined flow rate using a peristaltic pump, which is the first flow control device 45, so that the first carrier fluid is circulated to the first sweat collection channel 15 via the first inlet end 15a, and the second carrier fluid is supplied from the second carrier fluid supply source 35 via the second carrier fluid supply pipe 47 to the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 of the sweat sampling device 11 at a set predetermined flow rate using a flow adjustment valve, which is the second flow control device 51, so that the second carrier fluid is circulated to the second sweat collection channel 17 via the second inlet end 17a.

[0050] When the first carrier fluid is circulated through the first sweat collection channel 15, sweat released from the skin into the first sweat collection channel is swept away by the first carrier fluid and circulates through the first sweat collection channel 15 together with the first carrier fluid. The first carrier fluid containing sweat is discharged from the first outlet end 15b of the first sweat collection channel 15 through the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23 to the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 and sent to the component analyzer 37 (step S103). Here, a liquid carrier liquid (specifically, pure water) is used as the first carrier fluid, so that deposits on the skin surface before sweating can be removed. In other words, there is no need to wash the measurement target area before measurement, and the washing step can be omitted. Note that when deposits on the skin surface before sweating are removed using the first carrier fluid, the deposits are sent to the component analyzer 37 at the initial stage of measurement, so it is preferable to measure sweat components after the deposits are no longer detected.

[0051] Furthermore, when the second carrier fluid is circulated through the second sweat collection channel 17, sweat coming out of the skin into the second sweat collection channel 17 is swept away by the second carrier fluid and circulates through the second sweat collection channel 17 together with the second carrier fluid. The second carrier fluid containing the sweat is discharged from the second outlet end 17b of the second sweat collection channel 17 through the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 to the second carrier fluid discharge pipe 49 and sent to the sweat rate measurement device 39 (step S104). Here, a gaseous carrier gas (specifically, dry air) is used as the second carrier fluid, so that moisture in the sweat evaporates and is dispersed in the second carrier gas, which is sent through the second sweat collection channel 17 and collected. However, even if a liquid carrier fluid is used as the second carrier fluid, the second carrier fluid can be sent through the second sweat collection channel 17 and collected in a mixed state with the second carrier fluid, and therefore the second carrier fluid is not limited to a carrier gas.

[0052] The first carrier fluid containing sweat discharged from the sweat sampling device 11 is sent to the component analyzer 37 by, for example, a peristaltic pump, which is an additional flow control device 53. The component analyzer 37 analyzes the component, detecting and measuring the amounts of each component contained in the sweat (step S105). Here, an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is used as the component analyzer 37, and an internal standard solution is also sent to the component analyzer 37 along with the first carrier fluid from the standard solution supply source 57 via the T-connector 55 and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43. The internal standard solution is a liquid containing a standard substance of a known mass. The internal standard solution is mixed with the first carrier fluid containing the sweat to be measured, and the spectrum is analyzed. The mass of the substance to be analyzed is determined based on the peak of the known mass. However, if another type of device is used as the component analyzer 37, the standard solution supply source 57 is not an essential component.

[0053] The second carrier fluid containing sweat discharged from the sweat sampling device 11 is sent to the sweat rate measurement device 39, where the amount of sweat contained in the second carrier fluid is measured (step S106). Here, the second carrier fluid is a carrier gas (specifically, dry air), and a temperature and humidity sensor is used as the sweat rate measurement device 39. Therefore, the sweat rate measurement device 39 measures the temperature and humidity of the second carrier fluid, and the amount of moisture added to the second carrier fluid by evaporation of sweat is calculated as the sweat rate from the temperature and humidity of the first carrier fluid stored in the first carrier fluid supply source 33 and the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature and humidity sensor. However, the second carrier fluid is not limited to a carrier gas, and the sweat rate measurement device 39 is not limited to a temperature and humidity sensor. For example, when a liquid carrier fluid is used as the second carrier fluid, the difference between a predetermined flow rate of the second carrier fluid supplied to the second sweat collection channel 17 and the flow rate of the second carrier fluid containing sweat sent to the sweat rate measurement device 39 can be calculated as the sweat rate.

[0054] In this way, the amount of each sweat component contained in the sweat and the amount of sweat (perspiration rate) are simultaneously measured by the component analyzer 37 and the sweat rate measuring device 39. Furthermore, in the sweat sampling device 11, the first sweat collection channel 15 and the second sweat collection channel 17 are formed independently, and evaporated moisture from the first carrier fluid flowing through the first sweat collection channel 15 does not get mixed into the second sweat collection channel 17. Therefore, it is possible to measure the amount of moisture (i.e., the amount of sweat or perspiration rate) by humidity measurement without being affected by the first carrier fluid, i.e., the carrier liquid.

[0055] Next, the component concentration measuring device 40 determines the concentration of each component contained in the sweat based on the amount of each component contained in the sweat measured by the component analysis device 37 and the amount of sweat measured by the sweat amount measuring device 39 (step S107).

[0056] The above procedure can be performed continuously and repeated, so the sweat component analysis system 31 makes it possible to continuously measure the amount of each sweat component contained in sweat, the amount of sweat produced, and the concentration of each component contained in sweat over time. [Example]

[0057] The results of verifying the accuracy of component analysis and sweat volume measurement by a sweat component analysis method using a sweat component analysis system 31 equipped with a sweat sampling device 11 are shown below. In the following testing, a sweat sampling device 11 was used, which had a device body 13 measuring 26 mm wide, 52 mm long, and 15 mm thick, and was provided with a first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 21 and a first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23, each 2.9 mm in diameter and 10 mm deep, a second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 25 and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27, each 5.0 mm in diameter and 10 mm deep, a first sweat collection channel 15 measuring 1 mm wide, 1 mm high, and 86 mm long and extending in a serpentine pattern, a second sweat collection channel 17 measuring 1 mm wide, 2.5 mm high, and 86 mm long and having the same shape as the first sweat collection channel 15 when viewed from the skin side, but differing only in height, a sweat discharge groove 19 measuring 1 mm wide and 1 mm high and extending in a grid pattern, and a fixing band groove 29 measuring 10 mm wide and 2 mm deep. The sweat sampling device 11 was attached to a human arm for testing.

[0058] The accuracy of the component analysis was verified using a system 61 configured as shown in Fig. 8. In the system 61 shown in Fig. 8, a six-way selector valve 63 having a first connection port 63a, a second connection port 63b, a third connection port 63c, a fourth connection port 63d, a fifth connection port 63e, and a sixth connection port 63f was used to connect first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41a extending from first carrier fluid supply source 33 to first connection port 63a, first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41b extending from first carrier fluid supply piping connection hole 21 of sweat sampling device 11 to second connection port 63b, both ends of metering coil 65 capable of storing 30 µL of fluid therein to third connection port 63c and fourth connection port 63d, piping extending from test sample source 67 to fifth connection port 63e, and piping extending from suction syringe 69 to sixth connection port 63f. Similarly to the sweat component analysis system 31, the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 23 of the sweat sampling device 11 is connected to a first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 extending to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, which is the component analyzer 37. A standard solution supply source 57 storing an internal standard solution is connected to the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43 via a T-connector 55. Furthermore, a peristaltic pump serving as a first flow control device 45 is provided on the first carrier fluid supply pipe portion 41a, and a peristaltic pump serving as an additional flow control device 53 is provided on the first carrier fluid discharge pipe 43, so that the first flow control device 45 and the additional flow control device 53 can send fluids at the same flow rate. Pure water was used as the first carrier fluid, and a solution composed of 10 ng / mL rhodium (Rh) and 0.3 mol / L nitric acid was used as the internal standard solution. As a test sample, a solution containing 100 ng / mL each of aluminum (Al), scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) was used.

[0059] The accuracy of the component analysis was verified using the following procedure.

[0060] First, the six-way selector valve 63 is switched so that the first connection port 63a and the second connection port 63b, the fourth connection port 63d and the fifth connection port 63e, and the third connection port 63c and the sixth connection port 63f are in communication with each other. This connects the suction syringe 69 and the test sample source 67 to both ends of the metering coil 65, and connects the first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41a and the first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41b. In this state, the suction syringe 69 draws the test sample from the test sample source 67 into the metering coil 65, storing 30 μL of the test sample in the metering coil 65.

[0061] 8, the six-way selector valve 63 is switched so that the first connection port 63a and the third connection port 63c, the second connection port 63b and the fourth connection port 63d, and the fifth connection port 63e and the sixth connection port 63f are in communication with each other. As a result, the metering coil 65 is connected between the first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41a and the first carrier fluid supply piping portion 41b, and the suction syringe 69 and the test sample source 67 are connected. Under this condition, the first carrier fluid, pure water, is sent from the first carrier fluid supply source 33 to the metering coil 65 by the peristaltic pump, which is the first flow control device 45, and the test sample stored in the metering coil 65 is introduced into the first sweat collection channel 15 of the sweat sampling device 11, passes through the skin surface of the human arm, and is merged with the internal standard solution supplied from the standard solution supply source 57, and then sent to the component analysis device 37 by the peristaltic pump, which is the additional flow control device 53, for component analysis.

[0062] Table 1 shows the results of verifying the accuracy of the component analysis performed under the above conditions and procedures.

[0063] [Table 1]

[0064] Each element contained in the test sample, specifically aluminum, scandium, titanium, manganese, and nickel, was detected and measured with high accuracy at almost 100% levels, confirming the accuracy of component analysis by the sweat sampling device 11 of the present invention and the sweat component analysis system 31 using it.

[0065] The accuracy of sweat volume measurement was verified using a system 71 configured as shown in Fig. 9. In system 71 shown in Fig. 9, a six-way selector valve 73 having a first connection port 73a, a second connection port 73b, a third connection port 73c, a fourth connection port 73d, a fifth connection port 73e, and a sixth connection port 73f was used to connect second carrier fluid supply piping portion 47a extending from second carrier fluid supply source 35 to first connection port 73a, second carrier fluid supply piping portion 47b extending from second carrier fluid supply piping connection hole 25 of sweat sampling device 11 to second connection port 73b, both ends of metering coil 75 capable of storing 30 µL of fluid therein to third connection port 73c and fourth connection port 73d, piping extending from pure water source 77 to fifth connection port 73e, and piping extending from suction syringe 79 to sixth connection port 73f. Similarly to the sweat component analyzing system 31, a second carrier fluid discharge pipe 49 extending to a temperature and humidity sensor, which is a sweat rate measuring device 39, is connected to the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 27 of the sweat sampling device 11. Furthermore, a flow rate adjustment valve is provided on the second carrier fluid supply pipe portion 47a as a second flow rate control device 51. Dry air of known temperature and humidity was used as the second carrier fluid.

[0066] The accuracy of sweat measurement was verified using the following procedure.

[0067] First, the six-way selector valve 73 is switched so that the first connection port 73a and the second connection port 73b, the fourth connection port 73d and the fifth connection port 73e, and the third connection port 73c and the sixth connection port 73f are in communication with each other. This connects the suction syringe 79 and the pure water source 77 to both ends of the metering coil 75, and connects the second carrier fluid supply pipe portion 47a and the second carrier fluid supply pipe portion 47b. In this state, pure water is drawn into the metering coil 75 from the pure water source 77 by the suction syringe 79, and 30 μL of pure water is stored in the metering coil 75.

[0068] 9, the six-way selector valve 73 is switched so that the first connection port 73a and the third connection port 73c, the second connection port 73b and the fourth connection port 73d, and the fifth connection port 73e and the sixth connection port 73f are in communication with each other. As a result, the metering coil 75 is connected between the second carrier fluid supply pipe portion 47a and the second carrier fluid supply pipe portion 47b, and the suction syringe 79 and the pure water source 77 are connected. Under this condition, the second carrier fluid, dry air, is sent from the second carrier fluid supply source 35 to the metering coil 75 by the flow control valve, which is the second flow control device 51, and the pure water stored in the metering coil 75 is introduced into the second sweat collection channel 17 of the sweat sampling device 11.The pure water evaporates via the skin surface of the human arm and is contained in the second carrier fluid, dry air, which is then sent to the sweat volume measuring device 39, where the temperature and humidity are measured to determine the increased amount of moisture in the dry air and measure it as the sweat volume.

[0069] [Table 2]

[0070] The pure water introduced as a substitute for sweat was detected and measured with high accuracy at almost 100% volume, confirming the accuracy of sweat volume measurement using the sweat sampling device 11 of the present invention and the sweat component analysis system 31 using it.

[0071] Next, Figure 10 shows an example of a graph showing the change over time in sweat volume and the concentration of each sweat component obtained by analysis using the sweat component analysis system 31 when a person exercises with the sweat sampling device 11 attached to their skin. Here, the concentrations of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and zinc (Zn) were measured as sweat components. The exercise was performed for 45 minutes on an indoor bike at 75% of maximum heart rate. The vertical axis of each graph shown in Figure 10 represents elapsed time, and the horizontal axis represents the amount of each element and sweat volume. Up until 15 minutes, no change in sweat volume was observed, but peaks in the amount of elements appeared. This is presumably due to the measurement of components attached to the skin surface. Furthermore, between 20 and 30 minutes, an increase in the amount of each element was observed along with the amount of sweat volume. It was also found that the magnesium and calcium peaks appeared before the sodium and potassium peaks. These peaks are presumed to represent high concentrations of sweat pore-retaining components. Between 30 and 60 minutes, signals of sweating and elemental excretion were continuously observed. These peaks are presumed to represent sweat components. Furthermore, between 30 and 60 minutes, although there was no significant change in sweat volume over time, a decrease in elemental content was observed. This is presumed to be due to a relative increase in the water content in sweat to maintain body temperature during continuous exercise.

[0072] In this way, the sweat component analysis system 31 can simultaneously and continuously analyze and measure the components of sweat and the amount of sweat produced, so that the concentration of each sweat component can be measured continuously and over time, and information on changes in the concentration of sweat components during the sweating process can be obtained, which can contribute to disease diagnosis and the metabolism of exercise-related nutrients. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 11 Sweat sampling device 13 Device itself 13a Skin side surface 13b Outer surface 15 First Sweat Collection Channel 17 Second Sweat Collection Channel 19 Sweat drainage groove 21 First carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 23 First carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 25 Second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole 27 Second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole 31 Sweat component analysis system 33 First carrier fluid supply source 35 Second carrier fluid supply source 37 Component analyzer 39 Sweat rate measuring device 40 Component concentration measuring device 41 First carrier fluid supply pipe 43 First carrier fluid discharge pipe 45 First flow control device 47 Second carrier fluid supply line 49 Second carrier fluid discharge pipe 51 Second flow control device 53 Additional flow control device

Claims

1. a device body having a skin-side surface that faces the skin and an outer surface other than the skin-side surface; a first sweat collection channel formed facing the skin-side surface and extending between a first inlet end and a first outlet end for allowing a first carrier fluid to flow therethrough; a second sweat collection channel formed independently of the first sweat collection channel facing the skin-side surface, extending between a second inlet end and a second outlet end to allow a second carrier fluid to flow therethrough; a first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole communicating with the first inlet end to receive the first carrier fluid, a first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole communicating with the first outlet end to discharge the first carrier fluid, a second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole communicating with the second inlet end to receive the second carrier fluid, and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole communicating with the second outlet end to discharge the second carrier fluid, formed on the outer surface.

2. The sweat sampling device of claim 1 , wherein the first carrier fluid is a liquid carrier liquid and the second carrier fluid is a gaseous carrier gas.

3. 3. The sweat sampling device of claim 2, wherein the diameters of the second carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole and the second carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole are larger than the diameters of the first carrier fluid supply pipe connection hole and the first carrier fluid discharge pipe connection hole.

4. 4. The sweat sampling device of claim 3, wherein the width and length of the first sweat collection path at the skin-side surface are equal to the width and length of the second sweat collection path at the skin-side surface, and the height of the second sweat collection path is greater than the height of the first sweat collection path.

5. The sweat sampling device according to claim 1 , wherein sweat discharge grooves for discharging sweat are formed on the skin-side surface, independently of the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel.

6. The sweat sampling device of claim 1 , wherein the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel are serpentine sweat collection channels.

7. The sweat sampling device is provided with a skin-side surface on which a first sweat collection channel and a second sweat collection channel are formed, the first and second sweat collection channels being attached to face the skin and being independent of each other; a first carrier fluid supply source for storing a first carrier fluid; a second carrier fluid supply source for storing a second carrier fluid; a component analysis device for measuring the amount of one or more components contained in the fluid; and a sweat amount measurement device for measuring the amount of sweat contained in the fluid. A first carrier fluid supply pipe extending from the first carrier fluid supply source is connected to the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device, and the first sweat is supplied from the first carrier fluid supply source to the second carrier fluid supply source. a first carrier fluid discharge pipe extending to the component analysis device is connected to the first sweat collection path, a second carrier fluid supply pipe extending from the second carrier fluid supply source is connected to the second sweat collection path, and the second carrier fluid is supplied from the second carrier fluid supply source to the second sweat collection path at a predetermined flow rate; and a second carrier fluid discharge pipe extending to the sweat rate measurement device is connected to the second sweat collection path.

8. The sweat component analysis system according to claim 7 , further comprising a component concentration measurement device that determines the concentration of one or more components contained in sweat based on the measurement results of the component analysis device and the measurement results of the sweat rate measurement device.

9. The sweat component analysis system of claim 7, wherein the first carrier fluid is a liquid carrier liquid having known components and concentrations, the second carrier fluid is a gaseous carrier gas having known temperature and humidity, the first carrier fluid supply source is a carrier liquid supply source, the second carrier fluid supply source is a carrier gas supply source, and the sweat volume measurement device is a temperature and humidity sensor.

10. The sweat component analyzing system according to claim 7 , wherein sweat discharge grooves for discharging sweat are formed on the skin-side surface, independently of the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel.

11. The sweat component analyzing system according to claim 7 , wherein the first sweat collection channel and the second sweat collection channel are meandering sweat collection channels.

12. 8. The sweat component analyzing system according to claim 7, wherein a flow rate control device is provided on each of the first carrier fluid supply pipe and the second carrier fluid supply pipe.

13. 10. The sweat component analyzing system according to claim 9, wherein a peristaltic pump is provided on the first carrier fluid supply pipe, and a flow rate adjusting valve is provided on the second carrier fluid supply pipe.

14. A sweat component analysis method for analyzing sweat components over time, comprising: providing a sweat sampling device having a skin-facing surface on which first and second independent sweat collection channels are formed; attaching the sweat sampling device to a measurement subject so that the skin-side surface faces the skin at a measurement site; connecting the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device to a component analyzer capable of measuring the amount of at least one type of sweat component; connecting the second sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device to a sweat rate measuring device capable of measuring the amount of sweat; supplying a predetermined flow rate of a first carrier fluid to the first sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device; supplying a predetermined flow rate of a second carrier fluid to the second sweat collection channel of the sweat sampling device; using the component analyzer to measure over time the amount of each of the single or multiple sweat components contained in the first carrier fluid discharged from the first sweat collecting channel, and using the sweat amount measuring device to measure the amount of sweat contained in the second carrier fluid discharged from the second sweat collecting channel, thereby determining the amount of sweat loss over time; A sweat component analysis method comprising:

15. 15. The sweat component analysis method according to claim 14, wherein the first carrier fluid is a liquid carrier liquid having known components and concentrations, and the second carrier fluid is a gaseous carrier gas having known temperature and humidity.

16. 16. The sweat component analysis method according to claim 15, wherein the first carrier fluid is pure water, and the second carrier fluid is dry air of known temperature and humidity.

17. The sweat component analysis method according to claim 14 , further comprising determining the concentration of each of the plurality of sweat components in the collected sweat based on the measurement results of the component analysis device and the measurement results of the sweat rate measurement device.

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