Measurement system
The measurement system addresses errors in living organism assessments by using attribute-based reference comparisons to provide accurate and understandable health evaluations.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024090385
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing measurement systems for living organisms are affected by factors other than health status, leading to errors in information obtained from reflected signals due to subject attributes.
A measurement system comprising a transmitting/receiving device, signal processing device, and input/output device, which uses a database to compare reflected signals with reference information based on subject attributes, and outputs evaluation scores and images to reduce errors.
The system reduces errors due to subject attributes by objectively assessing physical conditions through comparison with reference subjects, providing clear and understandable measurement results.
Smart Images
Figure 2025182781000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement system and the like. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, as in Patent Document 1, a measurement system (magnetic resonance analyzer) has been disclosed that transmits a signal of a predetermined frequency, receives a reflected signal of the signal, and outputs information based on the received reflected signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-130008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, when the object to be inspected is a living organism, the information obtained from the reflected signal differs depending on the subject's health condition, but the information obtained from the reflected signal also differs depending on factors other than the subject's health condition, such as the subject's attributes.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a measurement system that reduces errors due to factors other than health status. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The measurement system of the present invention comprises a transmitting / receiving device to be worn by a subject, the transmitting / receiving device having a transmitting unit that transmits an examination signal including a plurality of signal groups and a receiving unit that receives a reflected signal of the examination signal; a signal processing device having a signal processing unit and a recording unit that records a first database; and an input / output device having an input unit for inputting information regarding the attributes of the subject and an output unit. Each of the signals included in the plurality of signal groups has a frequency of 1 Hz to 10 Hz. The first database includes a plurality of reference information items including at least first reference information items and second reference information items. The first reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal received by the receiving unit when the transmitting unit transmits the test signal to a first reference subject. The second reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal received by the receiving unit when the transmitting unit transmits the test signal to a second reference subject who has at least one attribute different from that of the first reference subject. For each signal group, the signal processing unit compares the information obtained from the reflected signal received by the receiving unit with one of the multiple reference information items determined by the signal processing unit based on information regarding the subject's attributes input by the input unit, and calculates an evaluation score corresponding to the signal group based on the results of the comparison. The output unit outputs an evaluation score for each of the signal groups obtained by the signal processing unit.
[0007] By comparing with the reference values of a reference subject with similar attributes, it becomes possible to reduce the differences in the information obtained from the reflected signal due to differences in attributes, and to grasp the subject's physical condition more objectively.
[0008] Preferably, each of the plurality of signal groups includes two sets of six types of signals that differ in at least one of frequency, amplitude, and transmission time.
[0009] It becomes possible to have the transmitter transmit many types of signals that can be received by the receiver without increasing the load on the signal processing device. By transmitting two sets of the same signal, the possibility that the reflected signal will be correctly received by the receiver can be increased compared to a configuration in which only one set is transmitted.
[0010] More preferably, the recording unit records a second database and a third database. The second database includes text information relating to the physical condition corresponding to the evaluation score. The character information in the second database can be rewritten via the input unit. The third database includes at least one of first image data of an internal structure of at least a portion of a body and second image data of a surface of at least a portion of the body. The output unit displays a first output area and a second output area. The first output area includes an image of either the first image data or the second image data, with an evaluation score for each of the signal groups superimposed thereon. The second output area includes the text information relating to the physical condition corresponding to the evaluation score displayed in the first output area, which has been rewritten via the input unit.
[0011] It becomes possible to output text information regarding the evaluation points corresponding to the signal groups in words that are easy to understand and accept for the user of the measurement system who explains the measurement results and the subject who receives the explanation of the measurement results.
[0012] More preferably, a background image area including at least a portion of the periphery of the first output area and the second output area on a screen including the first output area and the second output area by the output unit is displayed in a color set via the input unit.
[0013] It becomes possible to output information about the measurement results using colors that are easily accepted by the user of the measurement system who explains the measurement results and the subject who receives the explanation of the measurement results. [Effects of the Invention]
[0014] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measurement system that reduces errors due to factors other than health status. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the output unit before the text information in the second output area is rewritten and before the color of the background image area is changed. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the output unit after the text information in the second output area has been rewritten and the color of the background image area has been changed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment is generally applicable to other embodiments as well. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.
[0017] (Measurement System 1) The measurement system 1 in this embodiment includes a transmitting / receiving device 10, a signal processing device 20, and an input / output device 30. The transmitting / receiving device 10 and the signal processing device 20 are connected by a first cable c1, and at least one of power supply and signal transmission / reception is performed via the first cable c1. The signal processing device 20 and the input / output device 30 are connected by a second cable c2, and at least one of power supply and signal transmission / reception is performed via the second cable c2. However, at least one of the signal transmission and reception between the transmission / reception device 10 and the signal processing device 20 and the signal processing between the signal processing device 20 and the input / output device 30 may be performed wirelessly instead of by wire.
[0018] (Transmitter / receiver 10) The transmitting / receiving device 10 includes a transmitting unit 11 and a receiving unit 13 . The transmitting / receiving device 10 is worn on the subject's head. However, the position where the transmitting / receiving device 10 is worn is not limited to the head, but may be worn on the leg, for example.
[0019] (Transmitter 11) The transmitting unit 11 is composed of a laser diode, an LED, etc., and transmits an inspection signal OS based on an instruction from the signal processing device 20.
[0020] (Test signal OS) The inspection signal OS includes a plurality of signal groups. One signal group includes two sets of six types of signals that differ in at least one of frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The first set of six types of signals included in one signal group are defined as eleventh signal S11 to sixteenth signal S16, and the second set of six types of signals are defined as twenty-first signal S21 to twenty-sixth signal S26. The eleventh signal S11 and the twenty-first signal S21 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The twelfth signal S12 and the twenty-second signal S22 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The thirteenth signal S13 and the twenty-third signal S23 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The fourteenth signal S14 and the twenty-fourth signal S24 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The fifteenth signal S15 and the twenty-fifth signal S25 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time. The sixteenth signal S16 and the twenty-sixth signal S26 have the same frequency, amplitude, and transmission time.
[0021] Each of the signals included in the plurality of signal groups has a low frequency (1 Hz to 10 Hz). In this embodiment, the inspection signal OS includes 2500 signal groups as the plurality of signal groups depending on the measurement locations. For each of the 2500 signal groups, the frequency, amplitude, transmission length, etc. of each of the 6 types of signals (2 sets) are set based on the assumption that the signal will be reflected at a predetermined position on the subject and received by the receiving unit 13.
[0022] For example, in the xth signal group, each of the 6 types of signals in 2 sets is reflected at a position assumed to be the entrance to the subject's stomach, and the frequency, amplitude, transmission time, etc. are set assuming that the signal can be received by the receiving unit 13 (1≦x≦2500, x is a natural number). Furthermore, for example, in another y-th signal group, the frequency, amplitude, transmission time, etc. of each of the 6 types of 2 sets of signals are set assuming that the signals are reflected at a position where the exit of the subject's stomach is assumed to be and can be received by the receiving unit 13 (1≦y≦2500, x≠y, y is a natural number).
[0023] It should be noted that the measurement system 1 does not identify the positions of the subject's internal organs such as the stomach. For this reason, the test signal OS is simply transmitted on the assumption that the subject's stomach is located at the position where the stomach is generally assumed to be located. Therefore, it is possible that the entrance to the stomach of the subject is not actually located at the position where it is assumed to be located. In this case, the receiver 13 receives a reflected signal with a waveform that is different from that when the entrance to the stomach of the subject is located at the position where the entrance to the stomach is assumed to be. Moreover, the image in the first output area 35a, which will be described later, is a diagram showing the general structure of the body, and the evaluation score is plotted at a corresponding position in the diagram showing the general structure of the body. For example, the evaluation point corresponding to the x-th signal group is plotted near the entrance to the stomach on a diagram showing the general anatomy of the body. Therefore, the text information described below, "The entrance to the esophagus is moving in a mumbling manner," means that one can imagine a mumbling movement at a position that corresponds to the entrance to the esophagus if the subject has a general body structure (this does not necessarily mean that this is the actual entrance to the esophagus for the subject).
[0024] The transmitting unit 11 transmits the first set of six types of signals (11th signal S11 to 16th signal S16) of the nth signal group as the inspection signal OS, and after a predetermined time has passed, transmits the second set of six types of signals (21st signal S21 to 26th signal S26) of the nth signal group, and after a predetermined time has passed, transmits the first set of six types of signals of the (n+1)th signal group, and after a predetermined time has passed, transmits the second set of six types of signals of the (n+1)th signal group (1≦n≦2499, n is a natural number).
[0025] (Receiver 13) The receiving section 13 is composed of a photodiode, a CCD sensor, etc., and receives a reflected signal IS that is a response to the inspection signal OS. Specifically, the signals constituting the test signal OS transmitted from the transmitter 11 are reflected by parts of the subject, and the receiver 13 receives a part of the signal as a reflected signal IS. The reflected signal IS received by the receiving unit 13 is transferred to the signal processing device 20.
[0026] (reflected signal IS) The reflected signals IS are the reflected signals of the signals that make up the inspection signal OS (6 types×2 sets of signals in each of the multiple signal groups).
[0027] (signal processing device 20) The signal processing device 20 includes a signal processing unit 21 and a recording unit 23 . The signal processing unit 21 generates each of the signals that make up the inspection signal OS, and instructs the transmitting unit 11 to transmit the inspection signal OS. The signal processing unit 21 calculates an evaluation score for each signal group based on the reflected signal IS and the first database DB1.
[0028] (Recording Section 23) The recording unit 23 records the first database DB1, the second database DB2, and the third database DB3. Furthermore, the execution program of the measurement system 1 in this embodiment is installed in the recording unit 23.
[0029] (First database DB1) The first database DB1 has a plurality of pieces of reference information including at least first and second reference information for comparison with the measurement results based on the reflected signal IS.
[0030] Each of the multiple pieces of reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal IS received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits an inspection signal OS when the transmitting unit 11 actually wears the transmitting / receiving device on one of the reference subjects who is healthy and has at least one attribute different from the other, or information obtained from the reflected signal IS that is expected to be received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits an inspection signal OS to one of the reference subjects. For example, the first reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal IS received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits the test signal OS when the transmitting / receiving device is actually attached to a first reference subject with a healthy body, or information obtained from the reflected signal IS that is expected to be received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits the test signal OS to the first reference subject. Furthermore, for example, the second reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal IS received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits the test signal OS when the transmitting unit 11 actually wears the transmitting / receiving device on a second reference subject who is healthy and has at least one attribute different from the first reference subject, or information obtained from the reflected signal IS that is expected to be received by the receiving unit 13 when the transmitting unit 11 transmits the test signal OS to the second reference subject.
[0031] That is, the multiple pieces of reference information in the first database DB1 include information on the reflected signals (reference signals) that serve as comparison standards for each of the signals that make up the reflected signal IS (6 types×2 sets of reflected signals in each of the multiple signal groups).
[0032] The signal processing unit 21 determines the selection of the reference information to be compared with the reflected signal IS based on the information about the subject's attributes input via the input unit 31. Specifically, from among a plurality of pieces of reference information, that which corresponds to a reference subject having attributes close to those of the subject is selected. For example, if the subject is a man in his 20s, the first reference subject is a man in his 20s, the second reference subject is a man in his 40s, and there are no other reference subjects who are men in their 20s, the first reference information is used to compare with the reflected signal IS.
[0033] The comparison of the reflected signal IS with one of the plurality of reference information in the first database DB1 is performed for each signal group. For each signal group, the signals constituting the reflected signal IS (reflected signals of 6 types x 2 sets of signals) are compared in terms of waveform, frequency, amplitude, etc. with the corresponding reference signal in one of the multiple reference information in the first database DB1. An evaluation point at a predetermined position corresponding to the signal group is determined according to the magnitude of the difference between the reference signal and the 12 signals that make up the signal group. In this embodiment, evaluation points at 2500 positions corresponding to 2500 signal groups are determined. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the evaluation score is determined in six stages, but the number of stages is not limited to six. The comparison and the determination of the evaluation score are performed in the control unit of the signal processing device 20.
[0034] (Second database DB2) The second database DB2 contains text information relating to the status of the positions corresponding to the evaluation points. For example, text information such as "peristalsis at the entrance of the esophagus is active" is included in the second database DB2.
[0035] The second database DB2 is recorded in the recording unit 23 in an overwritable state via the input unit 31. For example, the text information "active peristaltic movement of the 6th cervical vertebra" can be rewritten as "the entrance to the esophagus is moving around."
[0036] (Third database DB3) The third database DB3 includes the first image data and the second image data to be displayed in the first output area 35a of the output unit 33. The first image data is data of an image showing the internal structure of a part or all of a body. The second image data is data of an image showing a part or all of the surface of the body. For example, the first image data includes an image showing the internal structure of the esophagus and stomach, an image showing the internal structure of the head, and the like. It is preferable that a plurality of types of first image data and second image data are provided in accordance with the attributes of the subject. For example, the second image data includes an image showing the entire surface of a male's body and an image showing the entire surface of a female's body. In this case, the image displayed in the first output area 35a of the output unit 33 is changed in accordance with the attributes of the subject. For example, if the subject is a male and an image showing the entire surface of the body is to be displayed in the first output area 35a, an image showing the entire surface of a male's body is used from the second image data in the third database DB3.
[0037] (Input / output device 30) The input / output device 30 includes an input section 31 and an output section 33 . The input / output device 30 may be configured as an existing personal computer or the like.
[0038] (input unit 31) The input unit 31 is a device such as a keyboard or mouse for inputting text information, and is used to input information about the subject's attributes (name, date of birth, height, weight, sex, blood type, etc.), input overwrite information to the second database DB2, and set the background color of the output screen.
[0039] (output unit 33) The output unit 33 is a device such as a monitor that outputs text information and image information, and is used to output measurement result information.
[0040] The output unit 33 displays a first output area 35a, a second output area 35b, and a background image area 35c. The first output area 35a includes an image of either the first image data or the second image data, with evaluation scores for each signal group superimposed on it (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0041] Figures 2 and 3 show an example in which an image showing the internal structure of the esophagus and upper part of the stomach is displayed as the first image data in the first output area 35a, and evaluation points corresponding to signal groups in the area including the esophagus and upper part of the stomach are further superimposed. The evaluation score is indicated by a number and a figure around the number. A score that includes the number 1 is indicated by the number 1 and a hexagon around the number 1. A score that includes the number 2 is represented by the number 2 and a hexagon around the number 2 that is different from the hexagon for the number 1. A score that includes the number 3 is indicated by the number 3 and a triangle around it. A score that includes the number 4 is represented by the number 4 and a triangle around it that is different from the triangle around the number 3. A score that includes the number 5 is shown with the number 5 and a square around it. A score that includes the number 6 is represented by the number 6 and a rectangle around it that is different from the rectangle around the number 4.
[0042] The second output area 35b contains text information about the subject's physical condition corresponding to the evaluation score displayed in the first output area 35a (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows an example in which "0005 Peristaltic movement of the 6th cervical vertebra is active" is displayed in the second output area 35b as one piece of text information relating to the subject's physical condition. The second output area 35b contains text information about the subject's physical condition corresponding to the evaluation score displayed in the first output area 35a, which has been rewritten via the input unit 31 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 3 shows an example in which, in the second output area 35b, "0005 Peristaltic movement of the sixth cervical vertebra is active" is replaced with "0005 The entrance to the esophagus is moving around wildly" as one of the pieces of text information relating to the subject's physical condition, rewritten via the input unit 31.
[0043] The background image area 35c includes the peripheries of the first output area 35a and the second output area 35b, and is displayed in the color set via the input unit 31. FIG. 2 shows the background image region 35c in a state before the color is set by a white background, and FIG. 3 shows the background image region 35c in a state after the color is set by hatching.
[0044] (Effect of providing multiple reference information for reference subjects with different attributes) By comparing with the reference values of a reference subject with similar attributes, it is possible to reduce the differences in the information obtained from the reflected signal IS due to differences in attributes, and to grasp the subject's physical condition more objectively.
[0045] (Effect of each signal group containing two sets of six signals) It becomes possible to have the transmitter 11 transmit many types of signals that can be received by the receiver 13 without increasing the load on the signal processing device. By transmitting two sets of the same signal, the possibility that the reflected signal IS can be correctly received by the receiver 13 can be increased compared to a mode in which only one set is transmitted.
[0046] (Effect of displaying the rewritten text information in the second output area 35b) It becomes possible to output text information regarding the evaluation points corresponding to the signal group in words that are easy to understand and accept for the user of the measurement system 1 who explains the measurement results and the subject who receives the explanation of the measurement results.
[0047] (Effect of displaying the background image area 35c in the color set via the input unit 31) It is possible to output information about the measurement results using colors that are acceptable to the user of the measurement system 1 who explains the measurement results and the subject who receives the explanation of the measurement results.
[0048] (Example of application of subjects) In this embodiment, the subject is described as a human being, but the subject may be a living thing other than a human being. In this case, a first database DB1, a second database DB2, and a third database DB3 corresponding to the living thing other than a human being are provided.
[0049] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]
[0050] 1. Measurement System 10 Transmitting and receiving equipment 11 Transmitter 13 Receiving unit 20 Signal Processing Device 21 Signal processing section 23 Recording Section 30 Input / Output Devices 31 Input section 33 Output section 35a 1st output area 35b 2nd output area 35c Background image area c1 First cable c2 Second cable DB1 First database DB2 second database DB3 Third Database IS reflected signal OS inspection signal S11~S16 11th signal~16th signal S21~S26 21st signal~26th signal
Claims
1. a transmitting / receiving device attached to a subject, the transmitting / receiving device having a transmitting unit that transmits a test signal including a plurality of signal groups and a receiving unit that receives a reflected signal of the test signal; a signal processing device having a signal processing unit and a recording unit for recording a first database; A measurement system comprising an input / output device having an input unit for inputting information relating to attributes of a subject and an output unit, each of the signals included in the plurality of signal groups has a frequency of 1 Hz to 10 Hz; the first database has a plurality of reference information including at least first reference information and second reference information; the first reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal received by the receiving unit when the transmitting unit transmits the test signal to a first reference subject, the second reference information includes information obtained from the reflected signal received by the receiving unit when the transmitting unit transmits the test signal to a second reference subject having at least one attribute different from that of the first reference subject, the signal processing unit compares, for each of the signal groups, information obtained from the reflected signals received by the receiving unit with one of the plurality of reference information determined by the signal processing unit based on information relating to the attributes of the subject input by the input unit, and calculates an evaluation score corresponding to the signal group based on a result of the comparison; The output unit outputs an evaluation score for each of the signal groups generated by the signal processing unit.
2. The measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of signal groups includes two sets of six types of signals that differ in at least one of frequency, amplitude, and emission time.
3. the recording unit records a second database and a third database; the second database includes text information on physical conditions corresponding to the evaluation points, the character information in the second database is rewritable via the input unit; the third database includes at least one of first image data of an internal structure of at least a portion of a body and second image data of a surface of at least a portion of the body; the output unit displays a first output area and a second output area; the first output area includes an image of either the first image data or the second image data, with evaluation scores for each of the signal groups superimposed thereon; 3. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the second output area includes the text information regarding the body condition corresponding to the evaluation score displayed in the first output area, the text information being rewritten via the input unit.
4. The measurement system of claim 3, wherein a background image area including at least a portion of the periphery of the first output area and the second output area on a screen including the first output area and the second output area by the output unit is displayed in a color set via the input unit.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Computerized magnetic resonance analyzer
JP1994130008A