Measuring apparatus and measuring method

Abstract

To provide a measuring device capable of adjusting an emission direction of a sound wave with a simpler configuration.SOLUTION: The measurement apparatus 30 includes the lens 312 having the first surface 312a, which is a lens surface, and the second surface 312a, which is opposite to the first surface 312b, and the elements 311, which are disposed on the first surface 312a and emit sound waves toward the first surface 312a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement device and a measurement method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for measuring the state of a measurement target in a living body, including a human bladder, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a urination prediction device that includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors that transmit ultrasonic waves into the body of a subject and detect the bladder, and a server group that estimates the timing of urination based on the bladder expansion speed obtained from the detection results of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 185904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in the conventional technology. For example, in order to transmit ultrasonic waves in different directions, it is necessary to adjust the mounting angle of each of the multiple ultrasonic sensors, which increases the number of manufacturing steps.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to adjust the emission direction of sound waves with a simpler configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a measurement device according to a first aspect comprises: a lens having a first surface configured as a lens surface and a second surface located on the opposite side to the first surface; an element disposed on the first surface side and emitting a sound wave toward the first surface; Equipped with.

[0007] Alternatively, the measurement method according to the second aspect comprises: The method includes measuring the state of a measurement target in a living body using the above-mentioned measuring device with the acoustic waves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the measurement device and measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the emission direction of sound waves can be adjusted with a simpler configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a measurement system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the measuring device of FIG. 1 is placed against the lower abdomen of an infant. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic module of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the element unit of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Overview of Measurement System 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a measurement system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information processing device 10, a terminal device 20, and a measurement device 30. The measurement device 30 measures the state of a measurement object in a living body using sound waves. A measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes measuring the state of a measurement object in a living body using sound waves using the measurement device 30. In the present disclosure, the "measurement object" includes, for example, the bladder of a target organism such as a human. The "sound waves" include, for example, ultrasound.

[0011] For example, the measuring device 30 generates a first image that can be used to analyze the shape of the bladder of the target organism. The terminal device 20 acquires the first image from the measuring device 30, and displays or outputs the first image to the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 analyzes the shape of the bladder of the target organism based on the first image. The information processing device 10 generates information related to urination of the target organism based on the analysis result of the shape of the bladder of the target organism, and outputs the information related to urination of the target organism to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 displays the information related to urination of the target organism.

[0012] The measurement system 1 is not limited to the configuration in which the measurement device 30 generates a first image capable of analyzing the shape of the target organism's bladder as described above. For example, the terminal device 20 may be configured to generate the first image. In this case, the measurement device 30 outputs a measurement signal obtained when measuring the state of the bladder in the living organism using sound waves to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 may generate the first image based on the measurement signal acquired from the measurement device 30. The measurement system 1 may have various configurations. For example, the measurement system 1 may be configured to transmit the measurement signal to a component external to the measurement system 1 to obtain an image.

[0013] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the measuring device 30 of FIG. 1 is placed against the lower abdomen of an infant. In this embodiment, the target organism is an infant. The user of the measurement system 1 is a guardian such as the infant's mother or father, or a childcare worker. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the user places the measuring device 30 against the infant's lower abdomen, the measuring device 30 measures the condition of the infant's bladder using ultrasonic waves and can generate a first image that can be used to analyze the shape of the infant's bladder.

[0014] The target organism is not limited to an infant, but may include other humans such as a person receiving care or a pregnant woman. In this case, the user of the measurement system 1 may be a caregiver, an obstetrician, or the like. The target organism is not limited to a human, but may include a pet such as a dog or a cat, or a livestock such as a cow or a pig. In this case, the user of the measurement system 1 may be the owner of the pet or livestock. The target organism may also be the user of the measurement system 1 himself / herself.

[0015] In this embodiment, the measuring device 30 is described assuming that the user holds it in their hand and places it against the lower abdomen of an infant. The embodiment of the measuring device 30 is not limited to this. As one example, the measuring device 30 may be formed into a thin plate shape and configured so that it can be attached to an infant's diaper, underwear, belly band, or the like. As another example, the measuring device 30 may be configured so that it can be attached to an infant's lower abdomen using a bandage or the like. When the target organism is a pet or livestock, the measuring device 30 may be configured so that it can be used by fastening it to the abdomen with a belt-like band.

[0016] In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 and the information processing device 10 may be configured integrally. The measurement device 30 and the terminal device 20 may be configured integrally. The measurement device 30, the terminal device 20, and the information processing device 10 may be configured integrally.

[0017] (Example of measurement system 1 configuration) An example of the configuration of each part of the measurement system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0018] <Measuring device 30> For example, the measuring device 30 measures the condition of the target organism's bladder using sound waves to generate a first image that allows the shape of the target organism's bladder to be analyzed. In this embodiment, the measuring device 30 is an ultrasound scanner that generates an ultrasound echo image by emitting ultrasound toward the measurement target and detecting the ultrasound reflected back from the measurement target. When the measuring device 30 generates an ultrasound echo image using an area including the target organism's bladder as the measurement target, the shape of the target organism's bladder can be analyzed from the ultrasound echo image. Therefore, the first image is generated as an ultrasound echo image by applying the measuring device 30 to the area including the target organism's bladder.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement device 30 includes an ultrasonic module 31 and a circuit module 32 electrically connected to the ultrasonic module 31. The ultrasonic module 31 includes an element 311. The circuit module 32 includes a high-voltage switch 321, a pulser 322, a low-noise amplifier 323, a detector 324, an ADC (A / D converter) 325, a processor 326, and a power supply circuit 327. The circuit module 32 may be electrically connected to the element 311 of the ultrasonic module 31 via wiring such as lead wires attached by soldering or the like, or may be directly connected without wiring. The circuit module 32 is configured, for example, by mounting each component of the circuit module 32 on a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The ultrasonic module 31 may be provided at an end of the housing of the measurement device 30.

[0020] Element 311 includes a vibrator such as a piezoelectric element. Element 311 generates an ultrasonic pulse by vibrating based on a pulse signal generated by pulser 322, and emits the generated ultrasonic pulse toward the object to be measured. Element 311 also converts the vibration caused by the ultrasonic pulse reflected by the object to a detection signal and outputs the detection signal to detection unit 324.

[0021] The number of elements 311 is, for example, one. One element 311 emits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses in a plurality of mutually different directions via a lens 312, which will be described later. One element 311 can scan the ultrasonic pulse beam by controlling the emission direction of the ultrasonic pulse via the lens 312. The number of emission directions of the ultrasonic pulses emitted from one element 311 via the lens 312 may be changed depending on the scan range or scan resolution of the ultrasonic pulse beam. The ultrasonic pulses may not be emitted simultaneously in all emission directions, but may be emitted from the element 311 for each emission direction. In other words, the ultrasonic pulses may be emitted from the element 311 while changing the emission direction.

[0022] The high-voltage switch 321 is configured to be switchable between a state in which a pulse signal is transmitted from the pulser 322 to an electrode (details of which will be described later) arranged on the element 311, and a state in which a detection signal is transmitted from the element 311 to the detection unit 324.

[0023] The pulser 322 generates a pulse signal for driving the element 311 to cause the element 311 to emit an ultrasonic pulse.

[0024] The low noise amplifier 323 amplifies the detection signal obtained by detecting the ultrasonic pulse reflected by the object to be measured and returning, and outputs the amplified signal to the detection unit 324 .

[0025] The detection unit 324 detects the detection signal to generate an analog signal that represents the change over time in the amplitude of the ultrasonic pulse that has returned from the object to be measured, and outputs the analog signal to the ADC 325 .

[0026] The ADC 325 converts an analog signal that represents the change over time in the amplitude of the ultrasonic pulse returned from the measurement object into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the processor 326 .

[0027] The processor 326 provides control and processing power for performing various functions of the measurement device 30. The processor 326 may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to perform a specific function, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. A general-purpose processor may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). A dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 326 may include a programmable logic device (PLD). A PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The measurement device 30 may include either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a system-in-a-package (SiP) in which one or more processors 326 operate together.

[0028] The processor 326 generates an echo image of the measurement object by synchronizing a digital signal representing a time change in the amplitude of the ultrasonic pulse returned from the measurement object with the direction of emission of the ultrasonic pulse. The processor 326 may correct the echo image of the measurement object by interpolating the signal according to the scanning resolution of the beam of ultrasonic pulses by the element 311.

[0029] The measuring device 30 may include a memory unit. The memory unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk, or may include a memory such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The memory unit stores various types of information. The memory unit stores programs to be executed by the processor 326, etc. The memory unit may be configured as a non-transitory readable medium. The memory unit may function as a work memory for the processor 326. At least a portion of the memory unit may be configured integrally with the processor 326.

[0030] The power supply circuit 327 supplies power to each component of the measurement device 30. The power supply circuit 327 may include a battery or may be connected to an external power source.

[0031] <Information processing device 10> The information processing device 10 includes a processor 12 and an interface 14 .

[0032] The processor 12 provides control and processing power for executing various functions of the information processing device 10. The processor 12 may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. A general-purpose processor may include, for example, a CPU or a DSP. A dedicated processor may include an application-specific IC. The processor 12 may include a programmable logic device. A PLD may include an FPGA. The information processing device 10 may include either an SoC or a SiP in which one or more processors 12 work together.

[0033] The information processing device 10 may include a storage unit. The storage unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk, or may include a memory such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit stores various types of information. The storage unit stores programs to be executed by the processor 12, etc. The storage unit may be configured as a non-transitory readable medium. The storage unit may function as a work memory for the processor 12. At least a portion of the storage unit may be configured integrally with the processor 12.

[0034] The interface 14 may include a communication interface for communicatively connecting to the terminal device 20. The communication interface may be configured to enable wired or wireless communication. The communication interface may be configured to enable communication based on various communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication interface may be configured based on known communication technology.

[0035] The information processing device 10 may be realized as a cloud service or in an on-premise environment.

[0036] <Terminal device 20> The terminal device 20 includes a display unit 22, an interface 24, an input unit 26, and an output unit .

[0037] The display unit 22 may include various displays such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display.

[0038] The interface 24 may include a communication interface for communicatively connecting with the measurement device 30 or the information processing device 10. The communication interface may be configured to enable wired or wireless communication. The communication interface may be configured to enable communication based on various communication standards such as LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication interface may be configured based on known communication technology.

[0039] The input unit 26 may include an input device that accepts input from a user. The input device may include, for example, a keyboard or physical keys, or may include a touch panel or touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may be configured as a touch panel display integrated with the display unit 22. The input device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices. The interface 24 may be configured to allow connection of an input device that functions as the input unit 26.

[0040] The output unit 28 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may be configured to include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs auditory information such as sound. The output device may include, for example, a vibration device such as a vibrator that outputs tactile information such as vibration. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices. The interface 24 may be configured to be able to connect an output device that functions as the output unit 28.

[0041] The terminal device 20 may include at least one processor to provide control and processing capabilities for performing various functions. The functions of the terminal device 20 may be implemented by one processor or several processors. The processor of the terminal device 20 may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), or as multiple communicatively connected integrated circuits or discrete circuits. The processor of the terminal device 20 may be implemented based on various other known technologies. The processor of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the processor 12 of the information processing device 10.

[0042] <Ultrasonic Module 31> Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the ultrasonic module 31 in Fig. 1. An example of the configuration and functions of the ultrasonic module 31 included in the measuring device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 3. In addition to the element 311 described above, the ultrasonic module 31 includes a lens 312, an adjusting agent 313, a matching layer 314, and an absorbing material 315.

[0043] The lens 312 of the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 is made of a resin material such as ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) and has the shape shown in FIG. 3 . When the measuring device 30 is placed against a part of the human body, such as the lower abdomen, as described above, the lens 312 is located closest to the human body in the ultrasonic module 31. The lens 312 is, for example, a Fresnel lens. The lens 312 acts on sound waves emitted from the element 311 toward the lens 312, thereby exerting a lens effect. The lens 312 acts on, for example, each of multiple sound waves emitted from multiple sound wave sources located at multiple different parts of the element 311, refracting the sound waves in different emission directions. The lens 312, for example, sets an emission angle for each of the multiple sound waves so that the multiple sound waves emitted from the multiple sound wave sources are diffused.

[0044] The lens 312 has a first surface 312a configured as a lens surface and a second surface 312b located on the opposite side to the first surface 312a. The lens 312 has a mounting portion 312c on the first surface 312a side on which the element 311 is mounted. The lens 312 has, on the first surface 312a, multiple sets of upright portions 312d that stand facing the opposite side to the second surface 312b and inclined portions 312e that incline from the upright portions 312d toward the second surface 312b. The lens 312 may be formed into a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction of the main axis of the lens 312.

[0045] The first surface 312a of the lens 312 is a lens surface that acts on sound waves emitted from the element 311 toward the first surface 312a. The first surface 312a has the same shape as the lens surface of a Fresnel lens so that the lens 312 functions as a Fresnel lens. The first surface 312a is configured symmetrically along the width direction O1 with respect to the central axis A. For example, the first surface 312a includes a pair of inclined surfaces that incline from the central axis A of the lens 312 toward the second surface 312b on opposite sides in the width direction O1, as a pair of inclined portions 312e. For example, the first surface 312a includes a plurality of pairs of upright portions 312d and inclined portions 312e arranged from the center of the width direction O1 including the pair of inclined surfaces toward the outside in the width direction O1.

[0046] In the present disclosure, "outside" corresponds to, for example, the direction toward the opposite side from the center of the ultrasonic module 31. For example, the outside in the width direction O1 corresponds to the direction toward the opposite side from the center of the ultrasonic module 31 in the width direction O1. This is not limited to this, and the outside does not have to be the direction toward the completely opposite side from the center in the width direction O1, but may correspond to a direction toward the opposite side from the center along a slight diagonal. The same applies to other directions. "Inside" is the opposite of outside.

[0047] The first surface 312a includes a plurality of inclined surfaces, referred to as inclined portions 312e, that slope from the apex of the upright portion 312d, which stands on the opposite side of the second surface 312b along the height direction O2, toward the second surface 312b outward in the width direction O1. The angle of the inclined surface of the inclined portion 312e on the first surface 312a relative to the second surface 312b increases stepwise as the inclined surface moves outward from the central axis A along the width direction O1. Correspondingly, the protrusion amount of the upright portion 312d on the first surface 312a in the height direction O2, i.e., the height, increases stepwise as the inclined surface moves outward from the central axis A along the width direction O1. The first surface 312a is configured as a rounded surface at a connection point S between the upright portion 312d and the inclined portion 312e on the second surface 312b side.

[0048] The first surface 312a has a step 312f including a plane that bends at a right angle from the apex of the last upright portion 312d located at the outermost position in the width direction O1 toward the outside in the width direction O1. The corners of the step 312f of the first surface 312a are not rounded surfaces but are formed by planes intersecting at right angles with each other. The first surface 312a includes a plane that bends at a right angle from the apex of the step 312f toward the outside in the width direction O1 as the end face located most opposite to the second surface 312b in the height direction O2.

[0049] The mounting portion 312c includes a step 312f on the first surface 312a and a space defined by the step 312f. The mounting portion 312c supports the element 311 located on the first surface 312a side along the height direction O2 from the second surface 312b side by a horizontal surface included in the step 312f of the first surface 312a. For example, the mounting portion 312c mounts the element 311 together with the matching layer 314 and supports the element 311 from the second surface 312b side along the height direction O2 via the matching layer 314. As an example, the horizontal surface of the step 312f on the mounting portion 312c contacts the matching layer 314 along the height direction O2.

[0050] The mounting portion 312c faces the element 311 located on the first surface 312a side to a vertical plane included in the step 312f of the first surface 312a from the outside in the width direction O1. For example, the mounting portion 312c mounts the element 311 together with the matching layer 314, and faces the outer surfaces of the matching layer 314 and the element 311 in the width direction O1 to the vertical plane included in the step 312f of the first surface 312a from the outside in the width direction O1. As an example, the vertical plane of the step 312f of the mounting portion 312c is close to or in contact with the outer surfaces of the matching layer 314 and the element 311 in the width direction O1 along the width direction O1.

[0051] The mounting portion 312c mounts the element 311 by restricting the movement of the element 311 toward the second surface 312b in the height direction O2 with the horizontal surface of the step 312f, and restricting the movement of the element 311 to both the outside and inside in the width direction O1 with the vertical surface of the step 312f.

[0052] The depth D1 of the mounting portion 312c in the height direction O2 may be the same as or different from the width of the element 311 in the height direction O2, i.e., the thickness D2. For example, the depth D1 of the mounting portion 312c is smaller than the thickness D2 of the element 311. The depth D1 of the mounting portion 312c may be any size that allows the vertical surface of the step 312f to restrict movement of the element 311 to both the outside and inside in the width direction O1.

[0053] The mounting portion 312c is positioned at the same position as or higher than the tip E, which has the greatest height among the multiple upright portions 312d. For example, the height H1 of the mounting portion 312c relative to the second surface 312b is the same as the height H2 of the tip E relative to the second surface 312b. The pair of mounting portions 312c, located on both sides of the lens 312 in the width direction O1, position the matching layer 314 and the element 311 so as to cover the entire lens surface of the lens 312 from one side to the other in the width direction O1. For example, if the height H1 is the same as the height H2, the tip E contacts the surface of the matching layer 314 on the second surface 312b side. For example, if the height H1 is greater than the height H2, the tip E is spaced apart in the height direction O2 from the surface of the matching layer 314 on the second surface 312b side. The mounting portion 312c positions the element 311 parallel to the major plane of the lens 312.

[0054] The second surface 312b of the lens 312 is a plane parallel to the main plane of the lens 312. The second surface 312b is configured as a horizontal plane in the height direction O2. When the measuring device 30 is placed against a part of the human body, such as the lower abdomen, as described above, the second surface 312b of the lens 312 in the ultrasonic module 31 is located closest to the human body in the ultrasonic module 31, and is in contact with or close to the part of the human body.

[0055] The adjusting agent 313 included in the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 includes, for example, silicon. The adjusting agent 313 is filled between the first surface 312a of the lens 312 and the element 311. For example, the adjusting agent 313 is filled in the space disposed between the first surface 312a of the lens 312 and the matching layer 314 so as to fill the entire space.

[0056] The adjuster 313 functions as a vibration medium for facilitating propagation of sound waves in the space between the first surface 312a of the lens 312 and the matching layer 314, while also functioning as a refractive index adjuster and adhesive. For example, the adjuster 313 as a refractive index adjuster changes the degree of refraction of sound waves in accordance with the difference in the propagation speed of sound waves due to the difference in the materials of the adjuster 313 and the lens 312. In addition, the adjuster 313 as an adhesive, such as silicone, is in a liquid state before drying and solidifies after drying to adhere to the lens 312 and the matching layer 314, thereby fixing the matching layer 314 to the lens 312.

[0057] The matching layer 314 of the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 is made of a resin material such as epoxy resin. The matching layer 314 is disposed on the side opposite the second surface 312b of the adjusting agent 313 so as to be in contact with the adjusting agent 313 applied to the first surface 312a of the lens 312. The matching layer 314 is in contact with the adjusting agent 313 on the second surface 312b side and in contact with the element 311 on the side opposite the second surface 312b, and is thereby sandwiched between the adjusting agent 313 and the element 311 in the height direction O2. The matching layer 314, together with the element 311, is positioned by the mounting portion 312c of the lens 312 and supported by the mounting portion 312c.

[0058] The matching layer 314 is disposed between the element 311 and the adjuster 313 to reduce the difference in the reflectivity of the sound waves between the element 311 and the adjuster 313. The reflectivity of the matching layer 314 is, for example, between the reflectivity of the element 311 and the reflectivity of the adjuster 313. If the matching layer 314 is not disposed and the difference in reflectivity between the element 311 and the adjuster 313 is large, it is conceivable that sound waves will be reflected rather than propagating from the element 311 to the adjuster 313. The matching layer 314 is disposed as an intermediate layer to reduce such reflection of sound waves and efficiently propagate sound waves from the element 311 to the adjuster 313. Depending on the magnitude of the difference in the reflectivity of the sound waves between the element 311 and the adjuster 313, the matching layer 314 may not be used.

[0059] The element 311 of the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 is configured as, for example, a vibrator and serves as a source of sound waves. The element 311 is disposed on the first surface 312a side of the lens 312 and emits sound waves toward the first surface 312a. The element 311 is disposed on the opposite side of the matching layer 314 from the second surface 312b so as to be in contact with the matching layer 314. The element 311 is attached to the matching layer 314 by any attachment method, such as adhesive. The element 311 contacts the matching layer 314 on the second surface 312b side and contacts the absorbing material 315 on the side opposite the second surface 312b, thereby being sandwiched between the matching layer 314 and the absorbing material 315 in the height direction O2. The element 311, together with the matching layer 314, is positioned by and supported by the mounting portion 312c of the lens 312.

[0060] The element 311 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape. The element 311 is configured, for example, as a single flat plate. The element 311 may be configured as a single thin flat plate having a predetermined thickness D2 in the height direction O2 and a predetermined width in the width direction O1. The element 311 is not divided along the width direction O1 by a process such as dicing, but is continuously arranged along the width direction O1 from one mounting portion 312c to the other mounting portion 312c. The element 311 is arranged parallel to the main plane of the lens 312 by the mounting portion 312c. For example, the element 311 is arranged horizontally by the mounting portion 312 so that each of the front and back surfaces in the height direction O2 is parallel to the main plane of the lens 312.

[0061] The absorber 315 included in the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 includes a backing material made of, for example, a rubber material. The absorber 315 is arranged on the side of the ultrasonic module 31 farthest from the second surface 312b, and is arranged on the opposite side of the element 311 from the second surface 312b so as to be in contact with the element 311. The absorber 315 is attached to the element 311 by any attachment method, such as adhesive. The absorber 315 contacts the element 311 on the second surface 312b side, thereby sandwiching the element 311 together with the matching layer 314 in the height direction O2.

[0062] The absorber 315 absorbs sound waves emitted from the element 311 acting as a vibrator on the side opposite the first surface 312a, thereby reducing excess vibration. In order to perform this vibration absorption function, the absorber 315 is attached to the surface of the element 311 that is on the rear side relative to the first surface 312a. The absorber 315 is arranged so as to cover substantially the entirety of each component of the ultrasonic module 31 from the side opposite the second surface 312b in the height direction O2.

[0063] The ultrasonic module 31 is produced, for example, by applying an adjusting agent 313 to a resin case into which a lens 312 serving as a Fresnel lens is integrally processed, placing a matching layer 314 and an element 311 on a mounting portion 312c of the case, and finally applying an absorbing material 315. The ultrasonic module 31 emits ultrasonic waves to the measurement object using the element 311 and the lens 312, and detects the ultrasonic waves reflected by the measurement object and returned by the element 311, thereby contributing to the generation of an ultrasonic echo image.

[0064] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the element 311 alone in Fig. 3. With reference to Fig. 4, an example of the configuration and function of the element 311 of the ultrasonic module 31 included in the measuring device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0065] Element 311 has a plurality of electrodes arranged separately from one another on the surface of the flat plate. Element 311 emits an ultrasonic pulse from the position where the electrode is arranged to which a pulse signal is transmitted from pulser 322. For example, element 311 has 16 electrodes arranged on its surface. The 16 electrodes include a first electrode E1, a second electrode E2, a third electrode E3, a fourth electrode E4, a fifth electrode E5, a sixth electrode E6, a seventh electrode E7, an eighth electrode E8, a ninth electrode E9, a tenth electrode E10, an eleventh electrode E11, a twelfth electrode E12, a thirteenth electrode E13, a fourteenth electrode E14, a fifteenth electrode E15, and a sixteenth electrode E16, which are arranged in order from one side to the other in the width direction O1. Each of the 16 electrodes may be electrically connected to the circuit module 32 by attaching wiring such as lead wires by soldering or the like, or may be electrically connected to the circuit module 32 by directly attaching an FPC that constitutes the circuit module 32.

[0066] The element 311 is configured as, for example, a single flat plate, but only the multiple electrodes are separated from each other, and multiple sound wave sources are arranged at different positions on the flat plate, thereby emitting sound waves from each of the multiple sound wave sources. For example, the element 311 configures a first sound wave source by simultaneously driving the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures a second sound wave source by simultaneously driving the third electrode E3 and the fourth electrode E4 as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures a third sound wave source by simultaneously driving the fifth electrode E5 and the sixth electrode E6 as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures a fourth sound wave source by simultaneously driving the seventh electrode E7 and the eighth electrode E8 as a pair of electrodes.

[0067] For example, the element 311 configures a fifth acoustic wave source when the ninth electrode E9 and the tenth electrode E10 are simultaneously driven as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures a sixth acoustic wave source when the eleventh electrode E11 and the twelfth electrode E12 are simultaneously driven as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures a seventh acoustic wave source when the thirteenth electrode E13 and the fourteenth electrode E14 are simultaneously driven as a pair of electrodes. For example, the element 311 configures an eighth acoustic wave source when the fifteenth electrode E15 and the sixteenth electrode E16 are simultaneously driven as a pair of electrodes.

[0068] The element 311 has, for example, 16 electrodes, constituting eight acoustic wave sources. The pulser 322 transmits a pulse signal to a pair of electrodes constituting each acoustic wave source. The pair of electrodes included in each acoustic wave source is arranged in a position facing the same inclined portion 312e of the lens 312. Therefore, the ultrasonic module 31 emits acoustic waves from the element 311 in, for example, eight different emission directions via the lens 312. The ultrasonic module 31 emits acoustic waves in a predetermined order for the eight different emission directions.

[0069] <Effects> According to the measuring device 30 of the embodiment described above, the emission direction of the sound wave can be adjusted with a simpler configuration. The measuring device 30 has a lens 312 having a first surface 312a configured as a lens surface and a second surface 312b located on the opposite side of the first surface 312a. In addition, the measuring device 30 has an element 311 arranged on the first surface 312a side and emitting a sound wave toward the first surface 312a.

[0070] As a result, measuring device 30 can transmit sound waves emitted from element 311 through lens 312 and change the emission direction of the sound waves based on the refraction effect of lens 312. By adjusting the refractive index by changing the material of lens 312, measuring device 30 can also emit sound waves in a predetermined emission direction required to measure the state of a measurement target inside a living organism.

[0071] In addition, the measuring device 30 can configure the ultrasonic module 31 with a simple configuration in which a single plate-shaped element 311 is placed on the lens surface side of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 enables the ultrasonic module 31 to be manufactured more simply with fewer manufacturing steps than, for example, conventional techniques that required adjusting the mounting angle for each of the multiple elements of an ultrasonic sensor. The measuring device 30 enables the ultrasonic module 31 to be manufactured more simply with fewer manufacturing steps than, for example, conventional techniques that require dicing a piezoelectric element to divide it, and then pressing the piezoelectric element against a curved base or the like to curve the entire piezoelectric element.

[0072] Because the element 311 is disposed on the lens surface side of the measuring device 30, there is no need to dispose the element 311 on the second surface 312b located on the opposite side, and the second surface 312b can be directly contacted with a part of the human body. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can be easily attached to a part of the human body without disposing any electrical components on the second surface 312b of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can be easily placed on a living body when measuring the state of a measurement target in a living body using acoustic waves, improving the convenience of the measuring device 30 during measurement. The second surface 312b may be polished flat to reduce irritation when it comes into contact with the human body. The end of the second surface 312b in the planar direction may be chamfered to reduce irritation to the human body upon contact. The second surface 312b may be colored in a color that does not show dirt, such as black.

[0073] The element 311 has a plate-like shape. The lens 312 has a mounting portion 312c on which the element 311 is mounted on the first surface 312a side. This allows the measuring device 30 to configure the ultrasonic module 31 with a simple configuration in which the element 311 having a plate-like shape is mounted on the mounting portion 312c of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 enables the ultrasonic module 31 to be more simply manufactured with fewer manufacturing steps than, for example, the above-mentioned conventional techniques.

[0074] The mounting portion 312c is disposed at a position equal to or higher than the tip E of the plurality of upright portions 312d, which has the greatest height. This allows the measuring device 30 to reduce interference between the element 311, which is mounted on the first surface 312a side by the mounting portion 312c, and the upright portions 312d of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can reduce damage to the element 311 or the lens 312 caused by the element 311 coming into contact with components on the first surface 312a side of the lens 312, including the upright portions 312d, in a predetermined case. The predetermined case includes, for example, when the element 311 is placed on the mounting portion 312c and when the element 311 placed on the mounting portion 312c is driven by the circuit module 32.

[0075] The element 311 is configured as a single flat plate. This allows the measuring device 30 to configure the ultrasonic module 31 with a simple configuration in which the element 311 configured as a single flat plate is placed on the lens surface side of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 enables the ultrasonic module 31 to be manufactured more simply with fewer manufacturing steps than, for example, conventional techniques that required adjusting the mounting angle for each of the multiple elements of an ultrasonic sensor. The measuring device 30 enables the ultrasonic module 31 to be manufactured more simply with fewer manufacturing steps than, for example, conventional techniques that require dicing and dividing a piezoelectric element, and then pressing the piezoelectric element against a curved base or the like to bend the entire piezoelectric element.

[0076] Element 311 has a plurality of electrodes arranged separately from one another on the surface of the flat plate. This allows measurement device 30 to configure element 311 as a single flat plate, while separating only the plurality of electrodes from one another and arranging a plurality of acoustic wave sources at different positions on the flat plate. Therefore, measurement device 30 can also emit acoustic waves from each of a plurality of acoustic wave sources on element 311 configured as a single flat plate. By using lens 312, measurement device 30 can easily realize the number of emission directions of acoustic waves required to measure the state of a measurement target in a living organism.

[0077] The element 311 is arranged by the mounting portion 312c so as to be parallel to the principal plane of the lens 312. This allows the measuring device 30 to emit sound waves from the emission surface of the element 311 along the central axis A that is perpendicular to the principal plane of the lens 312.

[0078] The measuring device 30 further includes an adjuster 313 filled between the first surface 312a and the element 311. This allows the measuring device 30 to use the adjuster 313 between the first surface 312a of the lens 312 and the element 311 to facilitate propagation of sound waves. The measuring device 30 can also use the adjuster 313 as a refractive index adjuster and adhesive. For example, the measuring device 30 can use the adjuster 313 as a refractive index adjuster to change the degree of refraction of sound waves in accordance with differences in the propagation speed of sound waves due to differences in the materials of the adjuster 313 and the lens 312. In addition, the measuring device 30 can also fix the element 311 to the lens 312 using the adjuster 313 as an adhesive, such as silicone.

[0079] The second surface 312b is a plane parallel to the main plane of the lens 312. This allows the measuring device 30 to configure the second surface 312b of the lens 312, which faces the human body, as a plane. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can directly contact the plane of the second surface 312b with a part of the human body, without disposing the element 311 on the flat second surface 312b of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can be easily attached to a part of the human body without disposing any electrical components on the second surface 312b of the lens 312. Therefore, the measuring device 30 can be easily placed on a living body when measuring the state of a measurement target in a living body using acoustic waves, thereby improving the convenience of the measuring device 30 during measurement.

[0080] The lens 312 is a Fresnel lens. This allows the measuring device 30 to reduce the weight and size of the lens 312 in the ultrasonic module 31. For example, the measuring device 30 can make the lens 312 thinner than usual in the ultrasonic module 31. This allows the measuring device 30 to reduce the weight and size of the lens 312 by the amount that the lens 312 is made thinner. Even with the lightweight and compact lens 312, the measuring device 30 can emit sound waves from the second surface 312b in multiple emission directions.

[0081] <Modification> It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0082] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-described components are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. The components of the illustrated measuring device 30 are functional concepts, and the specific form of each component is not limited to those shown.

[0083] For example, functions included in each configuration or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical contradictions, and multiple configurations or steps can be combined into one or divided. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the element 311 has been described as having a plate-like shape, but is not limited to this. The element 311 may have a shape other than a plate-like shape. The lens 312 has been described as having the mounting portion 312c on which the element 311 is mounted on the first surface 312a side, but is not limited to this. The lens 312 may have any other component for positioning the element 311 on the first surface 312a side, instead of or in addition to the mounting portion 312c configured based on the step 312f, for example.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the lens 312 has been described as having, on the first surface 312a, a plurality of sets of upright portions 312d that stand facing away from the second surface 312b and inclined portions 312e that incline from the upright portions 312d toward the second surface 312b, but is not limited to this. The lens 312 does not have to have the upright portions 312d and inclined portions 312e that are arranged in a Fresnel lens, and may have any other components that match the shape of the lens surface depending on the type of lens 312.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the placement portion 312c is described as being positioned at the same position as or higher than the tip E of the plurality of standing portions 312d, which has the greatest height, but this is not limiting. The placement portion 312c may also be positioned at a position lower than the tip E of the plurality of standing portions 312d, which has the greatest height.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the element 311 is described as being configured as a single flat plate, but is not limited to this. The element 311 may have any other configuration in terms of number and shape. For example, the number of elements 311 is not limited to one, and may be configured as multiple elements. For example, the shape of the element 311 is not limited to a flat plate, and may be configured as another shape.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the element 311 has been described as having a plurality of electrodes arranged separately from one another on the surface of a flat plate, but is not limited to this. For example, the element 311 has been described as having 16 electrodes, but is not limited to this. The electrodes in the element 311 may have any other configuration in terms of number, pattern, and arrangement. For example, the number of electrodes in the element 311 is not limited to 16, and may be configured with another number. For example, the number of electrodes in the element 311 may be 8, which is half of 16.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the element 311 is disposed parallel to the main plane of the lens 312 by the mounting portion 312c, but this is not limiting. The element 311 may be disposed non-parallel to the main plane of the lens 312 by the mounting portion 312c.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 is described as further including the adjusting agent 313 filled between the first surface 312a and the element 311, but this is not limited thereto. The ultrasonic module 31 of the measuring device 30 does not need to include the adjusting agent 313 between the first surface 312a and the element 311. The space between the first surface 312a and the element 311 may remain empty without being filled with the adjusting agent 313.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the second surface 312b of the lens 312 is described as a plane parallel to the principal plane of the lens 312, but this is not limiting. The second surface 312b does not have to be a plane parallel to the principal plane of the lens 312. For example, the second surface 312b may be a plane that is not parallel to the principal plane of the lens 312, or may not be a flat surface but a curved surface.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the lens 312 is described as a Fresnel lens, but is not limited to this. The lens 312 may be a lens of a different type than a Fresnel lens.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic module 31 has been described as having the matching layer 314, but this is not limiting. The ultrasonic module 31 may not have the matching layer 314. In this case, the element 311 may be disposed on the opposite side of the adjuster 313 from the second surface 312b so as to be in contact with the adjuster 313 applied to the first surface 312a of the lens 312. The element 311 may be in contact with the adjuster 313 on the second surface 312b side and in contact with the absorber 315 on the side opposite to the second surface 312b, so that the element 311 is sandwiched between the adjuster 313 and the absorber 315 in the height direction O2. The element 311 may be positioned independently by the mounting portion 312c of the lens 312 and supported independently by the mounting portion 312c.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic module 31 is described as having the absorber 315, but this is not limiting. The ultrasonic module 31 does not necessarily have to have the absorber 315.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the measurement target is described as including the bladder of the target organism, but is not limited thereto. The measurement target may include any other organ contained in the living body of the target organism instead of or in addition to the bladder.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the sound waves include ultrasonic waves, but are not limited to ultrasonic waves. The sound waves do not have to be ultrasonic waves as long as the state of the measurement target in a living body can be measured using the measurement device 30.

[0097] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples, however, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] a lens having a first surface configured as a lens surface and a second surface located on the opposite side to the first surface; an element disposed on the first surface side and emitting a sound wave toward the first surface; Equipped with Measuring device. [Appendix 2] 10. The measurement device of claim 1, The element has a plate-like shape, The lens has a mounting portion on the first surface side on which the element is mounted. Measuring device. [Appendix 3] 10. The measurement device of claim 2, the lens has, on the first surface, a plurality of sets of upright portions that stand toward the side opposite to the second surface and inclined portions that incline from the upright portions toward the second surface side; The placement portion is disposed at a position equal to or higher than the tip end of the plurality of upright portions that has the greatest height. Measuring device. [Appendix 4] 4. The measurement device according to claim 2 or 3, The element is configured as a single flat plate and has a plurality of electrodes arranged separately from each other on the surface of the flat plate. Measuring device. [Appendix 5] 5. The measurement device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The element is arranged by the mounting portion so as to be parallel to a principal plane of the lens. Measuring device. [Appendix 6] 6. The measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Further comprising an adjustment agent filled between the first surface and the element. Measuring device. [Appendix 7] 7. The measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The second surface is a plane parallel to the principal plane of the lens. Measuring device. [Appendix 8] 8. The measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The lens is a Fresnel lens. Measuring device. [Appendix 9] A measurement method comprising measuring the state of a measurement target in a living body using the measurement device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8 by using the sound waves. [Appendix 10] 10. The measurement method according to claim 9, The measurement target includes the bladder of a target organism. Measurement method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Measurement System 10. Information processing equipment 12 processors 14 Interface 20 Terminal equipment 22 Display section 24 Interface 26 Input section 28 Output section 30 Measuring Equipment 31 Ultrasonic Module 311 elements 312 Lens 312a 1st page 312b 2nd side 312c Placement section 312d Standing part 312e Slope 312f step 313 Adjuster 314 Matching layer 315 Absorbent 32 Circuit Module 321 High-voltage switch 322 Parsa 323 Low Noise Amplifier 324 Detector 325 ADC 326 processors 327 Power supply circuit A center axis D1 Depth D2 thickness E tip E1 1st electrode E2 2nd electrode E3 3rd electrode E4 4th electrode E5 5th electrode E6 6th electrode E7 7th electrode E8 8th electrode E9 9th electrode E10 10th electrode E11 11th electrode E12 12th electrode E13 13th electrode E14 14th electrode E15 15th electrode E16 16th electrode H1 Height H2 height O1 width direction O2 height direction S Connection point

Claims

1. a lens having a first surface configured as a lens surface and a second surface located on the opposite side to the first surface; an element disposed on the first surface side and emitting a sound wave toward the first surface; Equipped with Measuring equipment.

2. 2. The measuring device according to claim 1, The element has a plate-like shape, the lens has a mounting portion on the first surface side on which the element is mounted, Measuring equipment.

3. 3. The measuring device according to claim 2, the lens has, on the first surface, a plurality of sets of upright portions that stand toward a side opposite to the second surface and inclined portions that incline from the upright portions toward the second surface, The placement portion is disposed at a position equal to or higher than the tip end of the plurality of upright portions that has the greatest height. Measuring equipment.

4. The measuring device according to claim 2 or 3, The element is configured as a single flat plate and has a plurality of electrodes arranged separately from each other on the surface of the flat plate. Measuring equipment.

5. The measuring device according to claim 2 or 3, The element is arranged by the mounting portion so as to be parallel to a principal plane of the lens. Measuring equipment.

6. 4. The measuring device according to claim 1, Further comprising an adjustment agent filled between the first surface and the element. Measuring equipment.

7. 4. The measuring device according to claim 1, The second surface is a plane parallel to the principal plane of the lens. Measuring equipment.

8. 4. The measuring device according to claim 1, The lens is a Fresnel lens. Measuring equipment.

9. A measuring method comprising measuring a state of a measurement target in a living body by using the measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, with the sound waves.

10. The measurement method according to claim 9, The measurement target includes the bladder of a target organism. Measurement method.

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