Biometric information acquisition device

Abstract

This biological information acquisition device comprises: a device body which has a counter surface that faces a biological body when the device is worn thereon; a first biological sensor which is provided to the device body so as to have at least a portion thereof protruding from the counter surface of the device body and which is provided with a first contact surface that comes into contact with the biological body; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which is pasted to the counter surface of the device body and which has a thickness smaller than the amount of protrusion of the first biological sensor from the counter surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biological information acquisition device that acquires biological sounds generated from a living body, such as lung sounds (breath sounds, adventitious sounds) and heart sounds, as biological information. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a biosensor that acquires bioinformation such as respiratory sound waveforms, cardiac sound waveforms, and electrocardiogram waveforms. This biosensor has a substrate, a cover plate that covers the substrate, and a piezoelectric element that is disposed between the substrate and the cover plate and that acquires the respiratory sound waveforms. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-169648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the biosensor described in Patent Document 1, the adhesion between the substrate portion on which the piezoelectric element is provided and the living body is low, which may prevent the piezoelectric element from accurately acquiring the respiratory sound waveform or cardiac sound waveform.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a biometric information acquisition device that can acquire biometric information with high accuracy by improving adhesion to a living body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a main body having a facing surface that faces a living body when worn; a first biosensor provided on the main body such that at least a portion of the first biosensor protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body, the first biosensor having a first contact surface that comes into contact with a living body; and an adhesive tape that is attached to the facing surface of the main body and has a thickness that is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the first biosensor from the facing surface.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a main body having a facing surface that faces a living body when worn; a first biosensor provided on the main body and having a first contact surface that comes into contact with a living body; There is provided a biometric information acquisition device, wherein the main body includes a first rigid portion that supports the first biometric sensor, and a deformable portion that supports the first rigid portion and is deformable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a biometric information acquisition device that can acquire biometric information with high accuracy by improving adhesion to a living body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view of a biometric information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] A bottom perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device [Figure 3] Side view of biometric information acquisition device [Figure 4] Top view of biometric information acquisition device [Figure 5] An exploded perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device from above [Figure 6] An exploded perspective view of a lower portion of the biometric information acquisition device [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line AA in Figure 4. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line BB in Figure 4. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line CC in Figure 4. [Figure 10] Block diagram of the control system of the biometric information acquisition device [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows a biometric information acquisition device attached to a living body. [Figure 12] 10 is a perspective view of a biometric information acquisition device showing another attachment form to a living body; [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 16] 10 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A bioacoustic sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body having a facing surface that faces a living body when worn, a first biosensor that is attached to the main body so that at least a portion of the first biosensor protrudes from the facing surface of the main body and has a first contact surface that comes into contact with the living body, and an adhesive tape that is attached to the facing surface of the main body and has a thickness that is thinner than the amount of protrusion of the first biosensor from the facing surface.

[0011] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a biometric information acquisition device that can acquire biometric information with high accuracy by increasing the degree of contact with a living body.

[0012] For example, the first biosensor may be a bioacoustic sensor that includes a diaphragm having the first contact surface and at least a portion of which protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body, and a piezoelectric element that detects vibrations of the diaphragm, and measures sounds emitted by a living organism.

[0013] For example, the biometric information acquisition device may further include a second biometric sensor that is attached to the main body so that at least a portion of it protrudes from the opposing surface and has a second contact surface that contacts the living body, and the distance from the opposing surface to the first contact surface of the first biometric sensor may be greater than the distance from the opposing surface to the second contact surface of the second biometric sensor.

[0014] For example, the second biosensor may be an electrocardiogram sensor that includes a plurality of electrodes each having the second contact surface and acquires the electrocardiogram waveform of a living organism, and the plurality of electrodes of the second biosensor may be provided on the main body so that the first biosensor is positioned between the plurality of electrodes.

[0015] For example, the second contact surfaces of the multiple electrodes of the second biosensor may be arranged on the main body so that they contact the living body via a conductive gel, and the surface of the conductive gel that contacts the living body is positioned substantially in the same plane as the first contact surface of the first biosensor.

[0016] For example, the main body may include a first rigid portion that supports the first biosensor, a plurality of second rigid portions that support each of the plurality of electrodes of the second biosensor, and a deformable portion that supports the first rigid portion and the plurality of second rigid portions and is softer than the first rigid portion and the plurality of second rigid portions.

[0017] For example, the first biosensor may protrude from the opposing surface of the main body toward the living body by a larger amount than the plurality of second rigid portions.

[0018] For example, the biological information acquisition device may further include a temperature sensor that acquires the body temperature of the living body, and the temperature sensor may acquire the body temperature via at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

[0019] Another aspect of the bioinformation acquisition device of the present disclosure has a main body having a facing surface that faces the living body when worn, and a first biosensor provided on the main body and having a first contact surface that contacts the living body, wherein the main body includes a first rigid portion that supports the first biosensor, and a deformable portion that supports the first rigid portion and is softer than the first rigid portion.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a biometric information acquisition device that can acquire biometric information with high accuracy by increasing the degree of contact with a living body.

[0021] For example, the first biosensor may be a bioacoustic sensor that includes a diaphragm having the first contact surface and a piezoelectric element that detects vibrations of the diaphragm and measures sounds emitted by a living organism.

[0022] For example, the biometric information acquisition device may further include a second biometric sensor having a second contact surface that contacts the living body, and the main body may include a second rigid portion that supports the second biometric sensor.

[0023] For example, the second biosensor may include a plurality of electrodes each having the second contact surface, and may be an electrocardiogram sensor for acquiring an electrocardiogram waveform of a living body, and the second rigid body parts may be a plurality of second rigid body parts, and the plurality of electrodes of the second biosensor may be provided on the plurality of second rigid body parts. Note that the second electrode is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a circular shape.

[0024] For example, the first rigid portion may be disposed between the plurality of second rigid portions.

[0025] For example, the first rigid portion may be spaced apart from each of the plurality of second rigid portions.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a biometric information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device. FIG. 3 is a side view of the biometric information acquisition device. FIG. 4 is a top view of the biometric information acquisition device. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figures is intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present disclosure and does not limit the embodiment. The X-axis direction indicates the longitudinal direction of the biometric information acquisition device, the Y-axis direction indicates the lateral direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the height direction.

[0028] A biological information acquisition device 10 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a device that acquires biological sound waveforms generated from a living body as biological information.

[0029] In this embodiment, the biological information acquisition device 10 is configured to acquire biological sounds, electrocardiogram waveforms, and body temperature as biological information.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in this embodiment, a main body 12 of a biometric information acquisition device 10 is attached to a living body via an adhesive tape 14.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 is plate-shaped and has a facing surface 12a that faces the living body when attached. In this embodiment, the adhesive tape 14 is a double-sided tape, and one adhesive surface 14a is attached to the facing surface 12a of the main body 12. The other adhesive surface 14b of the adhesive tape 14 is attached to the living body. That is, the facing surface 12a of the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 is attached to the living body via the adhesive tape 14. Note that the adhesive tape 14 may be composed of a first tape having one surface that is a weakly adhesive surface that can be attached to the living body and the other surface that is a smooth surface, and a second tape having one surface that is a strongly adhesive surface that can be attached to the other surface of the first tape and the other surface that is a strongly adhesive surface that can be attached to the main body 12.

[0032] In this embodiment, the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 includes a first rigid portion 16 that is substantially non-deformable, second rigid portions 18, 20, and a deformable portion 22 that supports these rigid portions 16, 18, 20 and is deformable.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first rigid portion 16 and the second rigid portions 18, 20 in the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 are made of a material that is substantially undeformable, such as a hard resin. In contrast, the deformable portion 22 is made of a material that is softer (deformable) than the rigid portions, such as a soft resin, rubber, or cloth. In other words, the deformable portion 22 is more easily deformed than the first rigid portion 16 and the second rigid portions 18, 20. Here, being soft or easily deformed refers to having a relatively small elastic modulus, such as Young's modulus or modulus of rigidity.

[0034] With this configuration of main body 12, facing surface 12a of main body 12 of biometric information acquisition device 10 can adhere to the living body with higher adhesion than when main body 12 is made only of an undeformable material such as hard resin. In other words, even if the shape of the skin surface of the living body changes, deformable portion 22 deforms accordingly, allowing facing surface 12a of main body 12 to continue to adhere to the living body without any gaps. Deformation of deformable portion 22 can reduce the impact on main body 12 even if the adhesive tape peels off and falls.

[0035] In the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10, the first rigid body portion 16 is disposed at the center of the main body 12 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). The second rigid body portions 18, 20 are disposed so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction with the first rigid body portion 16 sandwiched therebetween. That is, the first rigid body portion 16 is disposed between the second rigid body portions 18, 20. In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the first rigid body portion 16 is spaced apart from each of the second rigid body portions 18, 20. The portions sandwiched between the rigid body portions 16, 18, 20 form deformable portions 22. The second rigid body portions 18, 20 are provided at both ends of the main body 12 in the longitudinal direction. By separating the rigid body portions in this manner, the main body 12 becomes more easily deformable.

[0036] Each of the first rigid portion 16 and the second rigid portions 18, 20 in the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 is provided with a plurality of components required for acquiring biometric information.

[0037] Fig. 5 is an upper exploded perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device. Fig. 6 is a lower exploded perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line AA in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line BB in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the biometric information acquisition device taken along line CC in Fig. 4.

[0038] 5 and 9, in this embodiment, the first rigid portion 16 is generally cylindrical with a bottom, and includes a bottom plate portion 16a and an annular wall portion 16b extending in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 16a. In this embodiment, an outer surface 16c of the bottom plate portion 16a of the first rigid portion 16 forms a part of the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12.

[0039] A lid 24 is detachably attached to the first rigid body portion 16. As shown in Fig. 9, the lid 24 includes a top plate portion 24a that faces the bottom plate portion 16a of the first rigid body portion 16 with a gap therebetween, and an annular wall portion 24b that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the outer periphery of the top plate portion 24a and surrounds the annular wall portion 16b of the first rigid body portion 16. In the present embodiment, the lid 24 is fixed to the first rigid body portion 16 by rotating it in one rotational direction about a rotation center line that extends in the height direction. When rotated in the other rotational direction, the lid 24 becomes detachable from the first rigid body portion 16.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the first rigid body portion 16 is provided with a bioacoustic sensor 26 as a first biosensor and a control board 28.

[0041] The bioacoustic sensor 26 is a sensor that acquires a bioacoustic waveform of a living body, and its components are incorporated into the bottom plate portion 16a of the first rigid portion 16.

[0042] 5 and 6, the bioacoustic sensor 26 in this embodiment includes a disk-shaped diaphragm 30 having a contact surface 30a that comes into contact with the living body, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element 32 that detects vibrations of the diaphragm 30. Note that the diaphragm 30 and the piezoelectric element 32 are not limited to being disk-shaped, and may be other shapes such as a square or a rectangle.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the bioacoustic sensor 26 includes an annular vibration transmission member 34 disposed between the diaphragm 30 and the piezoelectric element 32, connecting the diaphragm 30 to the outer peripheral edge of the first surface 32a of the piezoelectric element 32. The central portion of the second surface 32b of the piezoelectric element 32 is attached via double-sided tape 36 to the top surface of the protruding portion 16d of the first rigid portion 16, which protrudes toward the living body. The signal line 32c of the piezoelectric element 32 passes through a through-hole 16e formed in the bottom plate portion 16a of the first rigid portion 16 and is connected to the control board 28. As a result, when the diaphragm 30 vibrates, the entire piezoelectric element 32 flexes and deforms, allowing the piezoelectric element 32 to detect vibrations with high resolution.

[0044] In this embodiment, a thin film sheet 38 that covers and protects the bioacoustic sensor 26 is attached to the outer surface 16c of the first rigid portion 16. Therefore, the contact surface 30a of the diaphragm 30 comes into contact with the living body via the film sheet 38.

[0045] In this embodiment, the bioacoustic sensor 26 is provided on the main body 12, i.e., the first rigid body portion 16, so that at least a portion of the bioacoustic sensor 26 protrudes from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12. Specifically, at least a portion of the diaphragm 30 of the bioacoustic sensor 26 protrudes from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12. A contact surface 30a is provided at the distal end of the protruding portion. This allows close contact between the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 (its diaphragm 30) and the living body, enabling the bioacoustic sensor 26 to acquire vibrations (biological sounds) generated by the living body with high accuracy.

[0046] Specifically, when the facing surface 12a of the main body 12 is brought into close contact with the living body via the adhesive tape 14, the contact surface 30a of the diaphragm 30 of the bioacoustic sensor 26, which protrudes from the facing surface 12a, adheres tightly to the living body (compared to when the bioacoustic sensor 26 does not protrude from the facing surface 12a). This causes the diaphragm 30 to vibrate as if synchronized with the vibrations of the living body. The piezoelectric element 32 can detect the vibrations of the living body with high accuracy via the diaphragm 30.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the main body 12 of the bioinformation acquisition device 10 includes the deformable portion 22. Therefore, even if the shape of the skin surface of the living body changes, the deformable portion 22 deforms accordingly, so that the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12 can continue to be in close contact with the living body without any gaps. As a result, the bioacoustic sensor 26 can continue to detect the vibrations of the living body while maintaining high accuracy.

[0048] In this embodiment, the bioacoustic sensor 26 is provided on the first rigid part 16, not on the deformable part 22 of the main body 12. This allows vibrations from the part of the living body that the bioacoustic sensor 26 comes into contact with to be transmitted to the bioacoustic sensor 26 with little loss.

[0049] In contrast, when the bioacoustic sensor 26 is provided on the deformable portion 22, part of the vibration energy of the living body is used to deform the deformable portion 22, and the vibration transmitted to the bioacoustic sensor 26 is attenuated. As a result, the vibration detection accuracy of the bioacoustic sensor 26 decreases. Therefore, the bioacoustic sensor 26 is provided on the first rigid portion 16 instead of the deformable portion 22.

[0050] 3, an adhesive tape 14 is attached to the facing surface 12a of the main body 12 of the bioinformation acquisition device 10. Therefore, the amount of protrusion p of the bioacoustic sensor 26 from the facing surface 12a of the main body 12 is larger than the thickness t of the adhesive tape 14. That is, the adhesive tape 14 has a thickness t that is smaller than the amount of protrusion p of the bioacoustic sensor 26. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a through hole 14c through which the bioacoustic sensor 26 passes is formed in the adhesive tape 14. Instead of the through hole 14c, a notch may be formed in the adhesive tape 14. That is, the adhesive tape 14 is arranged so as to avoid the bioacoustic sensor 26 (so as not to overlap in a plan view).

[0051] As shown in Fig. 9, the control board 28 is housed in a space S defined by the first rigid part 16 and the lid 24. In the present embodiment, the control board 28 is a circular circuit board, and a battery 40 is mounted on one surface. The battery 40 can be replaced by removing the lid 24 from the first rigid part 16. In addition, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a flexible printed circuit board 42 is connected to the control board 28. Details of the control board 28 and the flexible printed circuit board 42 will be described later.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7, each of the second rigid body portions 18, 20 is provided with a second biosensor 44. Specifically, the second biosensor 44 is an electrocardiogram sensor that acquires an electrocardiogram waveform of a living body, and a plurality of electrodes 46, 48 that come into contact with the living body are provided on each of the second rigid body portions 18, 20. The electrodes 46, 48 are attached to the second rigid body portions 18, 20 via annular double-sided tape 50, as shown in Figs.

[0053] It is preferable that the electrodes 46, 48 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 are spaced apart to obtain a good electrocardiogram waveform. Therefore, in the bioinformation acquisition device 10, the electrodes 46, 48 are provided on the main body 12 so that the bioacoustic sensor 26 is located therebetween. As a result, the electrodes 46, 48 are spaced apart as far as possible, while the bioinformation acquisition device 10 is made compact.

[0054] 7, the plurality of electrodes 46, 48 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 each have a contact surface 46a, 48a that comes into contact with the living body. In the present embodiment, the contact surfaces 46a, 48a are located on the opposite side of the living body from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12. As a result, the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 is located closer to the living body than the contact surfaces 46a, 48a.

[0055] For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a conductive gel 52 is attached to the contact surfaces 46a, 48a of the multiple electrodes 46, 48. As a result, the contact surfaces 46a, 48a come into contact with the living body via the conductive gel 52. The multiple electrodes 46, 48 are provided on the main body 12 so that the surface 52a of the conductive gel 52 that comes into contact with the living body is positioned substantially flush with the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26. That is, the distance from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12 to the surface 52a of the conductive gel 52 (i.e., the distance in the height direction (Z-axis direction)) is equal to the distance from the opposing surface 12a to the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26. This allows the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 to be in closer contact with the living body. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a through hole 14d through which the conductive gel 52 passes is formed in the adhesive tape 14. Note that a cutout may be formed in the adhesive tape 14 instead of the through hole 14d. That is, the adhesive tape 14 is arranged so as to avoid the conductive gel 52 (so as not to overlap in a plan view).

[0056] When the contact surfaces 46a, 48a of the electrodes 46, 48 come into direct contact with the living body without the conductive gel 52, it is preferable to make the distance from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12 to the contact surfaces 46a, 48a (i.e., the distance in the height direction (Z-axis direction)) smaller than the distance from the opposing surface 12a to the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26. This allows the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 to come into closer contact with the living body.

[0057] 7, in order for the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 to be in close contact with the living organism, it is preferable that the bioacoustic sensor 26 protrudes more toward the living organism from the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12 than the multiple second rigid portions 18, 20. In the case of this embodiment, the surfaces 18a, 20a of the second rigid portions 18, 20 that face the living organism form part of the opposing surface 12a of the main body 12. This allows the contact surface 30a of the bioacoustic sensor 26 to be in closer contact with the living organism.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the bioinformation acquisition device 10 has a temperature sensor 54 that detects the temperature of the electrode 46. The temperature sensor 54 indirectly detects the body temperature of the living body by detecting the temperature of the electrode 46 that is in contact with the living body. Here, the body temperature is the temperature of the skin surface. Note that if the temperature sensor is capable of measuring deep body temperature, the body temperature is the deep body temperature. In addition, the temperature sensor 54 can measure the body temperature if it is connected to an electrode other than the electrode 46 and the electrode 48 and is in contact with the living body. For example, the temperature sensor 54 may be included in the bioacoustic sensor 26.

[0059] The electrocardiogram sensor 44 acquires an electrocardiogram waveform of a living body based on changes in the potential difference between the plurality of electrodes 46, 48.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system of the biometric information acquisition device.

[0061] 10, the control board 28 of the bioinformation acquisition device 10 is provided with an amplifier / filter circuit 56 that amplifies and filters the output value (voltage signal) from the bioacoustic sensor 26 (piezoelectric element 32). The control board 28 also has, as a component of the electrocardiogram sensor 44, a calculation circuit 58 that calculates an electrocardiogram waveform based on the potential difference between the multiple electrodes 46, 48.

[0062] The biosound waveform from the bioacoustic sensor 26 processed by the amplifier / filter circuit 56 is subjected to analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion by an MPU (microprocessor unit) 60 provided on the control board 28. Similarly, the electrocardiogram waveform calculated by the arithmetic circuit 58 and the body temperature from the temperature sensor 54 are also A / D converted by the MPU 60. The MPU 60 is a unit that includes a CPU, memory, various circuits, etc. and performs various processes.

[0063] The biological sound waveform data, electrocardiogram waveform data, and body temperature data generated by A / D conversion by the MPU 60 are transmitted to an external device via a wireless communication module 62 provided on the control board 28. These data are also stored in a storage device 64, such as a memory, provided on the control board 28. The wireless communication module 62 is a wireless communication module conforming to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth, and transmits the biological sound waveform data, electrocardiogram waveform data, and temperature data to, for example, a mobile terminal. Note that if the biological information acquisition device 10 includes an output module such as a display that can output biological sound waveform data and / or a writer module that writes data to a storage medium such as a memory card, the wireless communication module can be omitted.

[0064] An operation button 66 for starting or stopping the acquisition of biological sound waveforms, electrocardiogram waveforms, and body temperature is provided on the control board 28. The operation button 66 is operated via a through-hole 24c formed in the top plate 24a of the lid 24, as shown in FIG.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , the electrodes 46, 48 and the temperature sensor 54 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 are connected to the control board 28 via a flexible printed circuit board 42. The flexible printed circuit board 42 has a first connection end 42a connected to the control board 28, a second connection end 42b connected to the electrode 46, and a third connection end 42c connected to the electrode 48. The temperature sensor 54 is mounted on the second connection end 42b of the flexible printed circuit board 42. The electrodes 46, 48 are electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 42 via spring terminals 68 provided at the second and third connection ends 42b, 42c of the flexible printed circuit board 42, respectively. Electrical connection via the spring terminals 68 simplifies the manufacture of the bioinformation acquisition device 10 compared to electrical connection via solder. Furthermore, the spring terminals 68 bias the electrodes 46, 48 toward the living body, improving adhesion between the living body and the electrodes 46, 48.

[0066] The electrodes 46, 48 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 contact the spring terminals 68 of the flexible printed circuit board 42 within the second rigid portions 18, 20 of the main body 12, thereby maintaining contact. In contrast, if the electrodes 46, 48 and the spring terminals 68 contact each other within the deformable portion 22 of the main body 12, the contact may be broken due to deformation of the deformable portion 22. Therefore, the electrodes 46, 48 contact the spring terminals 68 within the substantially undeformable second rigid portions 18, 20. A rigid cover plate 70 covers the second and third connection ends 42b, 42c of the flexible printed circuit board 42 within the second rigid portions 18, 20, and is attached to the second rigid portions 18, 20 and the second and third connection ends 42b, 42c via double-sided tape 72. The cover plate 70 functions as a retainer that receives the reaction force of the spring terminals 68.

[0067] 5 and 9, a groove 16f is formed in the bottom plate 16a of the first rigid part 16. The groove 16f extends along the annular wall 16b and accommodates a portion of the flexible printed circuit board 42 (a portion extending on the back side of the control board 28). By accommodating a portion of the flexible printed circuit board 42 in the groove 16f, the size of the biometric information acquisition device 10 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) can be reduced.

[0068] Next, a method of using the biometric information acquisition device 10 will be described.

[0069] FIG. 11 shows, as an example, a biometric information acquisition device attached to a living body.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 11, the biometric information acquisition device 10 is attached to the body B of a living organism via an adhesive tape 14. When an operation button 66 is pressed, the biometric information acquisition device 10 starts acquiring biometric information such as a biosound waveform, an electrocardiogram waveform, and body temperature, and transmits the data to an external device via a wireless communication module 62. Acquisition of biometric information may be started by operating a switch provided on a mobile terminal, for example, other than the operation button 66. In Fig. 11, the device is attached near the collarbone, but may also be attached to the abdomen, back, neck, etc. depending on the biometric information to be acquired.

[0071] According to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to provide a biometric information acquisition device that can acquire biometric information with high accuracy by increasing the degree of contact with a living body.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to a number of embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the bioinformation acquisition device 10 acquires lung sound waveforms, electrocardiogram waveforms, and body temperature as bioinformation. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the bioacoustic sensor may measure other biosounds emitted by a living body, such as heart sound waveforms or intestinal peristalsis sounds. In other words, the bioinformation acquisition device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that acquires bioinformation by contacting a living body.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the electrocardiogram sensor 44 acquires an electrocardiogram waveform using two electrodes 46, 48. However, the number of electrodes is not limited to two. For example, when acquiring a three-lead electrocardiogram waveform, the electrocardiogram sensor includes three electrodes.

[0075] 2 and 3, in the above-described embodiment, the facing surface 12a of the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 is attached to the living body via an adhesive tape 14 having adhesive surfaces on both sides. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this.

[0076] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the biometric information acquisition device showing another manner of attachment to a living body.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 12 , the biometric information acquisition device 10 is attached to a living body via an adhesive tape 114. The adhesive tape 114 has a through-hole 114a through which the lid 24 of the biometric information acquisition device 10 passes. One surface 114b of the adhesive tape 114 is an adhesive surface, and the other surface 114c is a smooth surface. A portion of the adhesive surface 114b adheres to the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10, and the remaining portion adheres to the living body. Instead of providing the through-hole 114a, the adhesive tape 114 may cover the entire biometric information acquisition device 10. Although not shown, the biometric information acquisition device may be fixed to the living body by a band wrapped around the living body, clothing, or the like, instead of adhesive tape.

[0078] 4, the outline shape of the main body 12 of the biometric information acquisition device 10, i.e., the outline shape of the deformation section 22, is generally rectangular when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the biometric information acquisition device 10. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0079] FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] 13 , in a bioinformation acquisition device 110 according to another embodiment, a deformable portion 122 of a main body 112 has a minimally required shape. Specifically, the deformable portion 122 includes a central portion 122a that holds a first rigid portion 116 on which a bioacoustic sensor 126 is provided, and outer portions 122b and 122c that hold second rigid portions 118 and 120 on which electrodes 146 and 148 of an electrocardiogram sensor 144 are provided, respectively. The deformable portion 122 also includes a belt-shaped connecting portion 122d that connects the central portion 122a to the outer portion 122b, and a belt-shaped connecting portion 122e that connects the central portion 122a to the outer portion 122c. The belt-shaped connecting portions 122d and 122e are smaller in size in the short-side direction (Y-axis direction) of the bioinformation acquisition device 110 than the central portion 122a and the outer portions 122b and 122c. Therefore, the outer portion of the main body 112 is more easily displaceable relative to the central portion thereof, that is, the main body 122 is more easily deformed. As a result, the opposing surface 112a of the main body 122 is more easily brought into close contact with the living body.

[0081] 5 and 6, the electrodes 46, 48 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 are rectangular when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the bioinformation acquisition device 10. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0082] FIG. 14 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] 14, in a bioinformation acquisition device 210 according to yet another embodiment, the electrodes 246, 248 of an electrocardiogram sensor 244 have a circular shape in the height direction (as viewed in the Z-axis direction). That is, they have a shape similar to that of the bioacoustic sensor 226. Note that the shape of the electrodes of the electrocardiogram sensor may be a shape other than rectangular or circular.

[0084] 7, when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the bioinformation acquisition device 10, the bioacoustic sensor 26 and the electrodes 46, 48 of the electrocardiogram sensor 44 are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the bioacoustic sensor 26 is disposed between the electrodes 46, 48. That is, the electrodes 46, 48 are disposed so that their angular positions with respect to the bioacoustic sensor 26 differ by 180 degrees. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0085] FIG. 15 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] 15 , in a bioinformation acquisition device 310 according to a different embodiment, the electrodes 346, 348 of the bioacoustic sensor 326 and the electrocardiogram sensor 344 are not aligned. Instead, the electrodes 346, 348 are positioned such that their angular positions relative to the bioacoustic sensor 326 are different by 90 degrees. Thus, the angular positions of the electrodes 346, 348 relative to the bioacoustic sensor 326 may be different. However, in order to obtain a good electrocardiogram waveform, it is preferable that the two electrodes of the electrocardiogram sensor be spaced apart.

[0087] Additionally, in the above-described embodiment, the bioacoustic sensor 26 and the electrocardiogram sensor 44 are inseparably provided in the bioinformation acquisition device 10. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0088] FIG. 16 is a schematic bottom view of a biometric information acquisition device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 16 , in a bioinformation acquisition device 410 according to yet another embodiment, the main body is configured to be separable into a main part 412A including a first rigid body part 416, a bioacoustic sensor 426, a control board, a battery, etc., and an optional part 412B including electrodes 446, 448 of an electrocardiogram sensor 444, second rigid body parts 418, 420, conductive gel, etc. This allows the main part 412A to be reused and the optional part 412B to be disposable. Alternatively, the reverse usage is also possible. Furthermore, if a living body does not require an electrocardiogram test, biosound can be acquired using only the main part 412A. The main part 412A and the optional part 412B are provided with connectors for electrically connecting them to each other. Furthermore, if the optional part 412B is disposable, a temperature sensor 454 for measuring the body temperature of the living body is provided in the main part 412A. The temperature sensor 454 measures the body temperature, for example, via the diaphragm of the bioacoustic sensor 426 that comes into contact with the living body.

[0090] In other words, the bioinformation acquisition device of an embodiment of the present disclosure broadly comprises a main body having an opposing surface that faces the living body when worn, a first biosensor that is provided on the main body so that at least a portion of it protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body and has a first contact surface that comes into contact with the living body, and an adhesive tape that is attached to the opposing surface of the main body and has a thickness that is thinner than the amount of protrusion of the first biosensor from the opposing surface.

[0091] In addition, another embodiment of the bioinformation acquisition device of the present disclosure broadly comprises a main body having a facing surface that faces the living body when worn, and a first biosensor provided on the main body and having a first contact surface that contacts the living body, wherein the main body includes a first rigid portion that supports the first biosensor and a deformable portion that supports the first rigid portion and is deformable. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The present disclosure is applicable to devices that come into close contact with a living body and acquire biological information from the living body.

Claims

1. a main body including a facing surface that faces a living body when worn, a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion, and a deformable portion that supports the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion and is softer than the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion; a first biosensor supported by the first rigid portion, provided on the main body such that at least a portion of the first biosensor protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body, and including a first contact surface that comes into contact with a living body; a second biosensor supported by the second rigid portion, provided on the main body so that at least a portion of the second biosensor protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body, and including a second contact surface that comes into contact with a living body; a detachable cover attached to the first rigid portion, the cover is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the first biosensor and is detachable by rotating it in a direction along the periphery of the first biosensor; The facing surface is flat when not in contact with the living body.

2. The bioinformation acquisition device of claim 1, wherein the first biosensor is a bioacoustic sensor that includes a diaphragm having the first contact surface and at least a portion of which protrudes from the opposing surface of the main body, and a piezoelectric element that detects vibrations of the diaphragm, and measures sounds emitted by a living organism.

3. a battery that is detachable from the first rigid portion; The biometric information acquisition device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery overlaps the first biometric sensor when viewed from the opposing surface.

4. A bioinformation acquisition device as described in claim 1, wherein the distance from the opposing surface to the first contact surface of the first biosensor is greater than the distance from the opposing surface to the second contact surface of the second biosensor.

5. The second biosensor includes a plurality of electrodes each having the second contact surface, and is an electrocardiogram sensor for acquiring an electrocardiogram waveform of a living body, The bioinformation acquisition device according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of electrodes of the second biosensor are provided on the main body such that the first biosensor is located between the plurality of electrodes.

6. the second contact surfaces of the plurality of electrodes of the second biosensor contact a living body via a conductive gel; The bioinformation acquisition device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are provided on the main body so that the surface of the conductive gel that comes into contact with the living body is positioned in the same plane as the first contact surface of the first biosensor.

7. Further, a temperature sensor is provided to acquire the body temperature of the living body; The biological information acquisition device according to claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor acquires body temperature via at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

8. A biometric information acquisition device as described in claim 1, further having double-sided tape adhered to the opposing surface of the main body.

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