Biological data processing device, biological data measurement system, and program

Abstract

To obtain, in the case of performing addition average processing on a plurality of pieces of biological data measured according to trigger signals associated with stimuli on a plurality of parts, effects of the addition average processing for the respective parts evenly.SOLUTION: A biological data processing device includes: an addition average processing unit for performing addition average processing every time the number of times of addition of biological data measured according to a trigger signal associated with a stimulus to at least one part reaches the predetermined number of times; a storage unit for storing addition average data, an addition average processing result for each of at least one stimulated part, in association with the number of times of addition in the addition average data; and a biological data processing unit for performing processing based on the biological data using the addition average data for each of at least one stimulated part acquired by referring to the storage unit on the basis of the designated number of times of addition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological data processing device, a biological data measurement system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a biological data measurement system that measures biological data such as magnetic field data of a living body generated in response to stimuli such as electrical stimuli. In such a biological data measurement system, the biological data measured in response to a periodically generated trigger signal may be averaged to reduce noise contained in the weak biological data.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to improve the convenience of electrocardiogram examinations involving arithmetic averaging, a configuration has been disclosed in which arithmetic averaging is performed so that electrocardiogram signals that match a predetermined template are added together and those that do not match are excluded from addition (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when averaging biological data measured in response to multiple trigger signals, the effect of the averaging process may not be equal for each stimulation site due to differences in the number of additions at each stimulation site corresponding to the trigger signal. The configuration of Patent Document 1 discloses averaging biological data in response to one trigger signal, and therefore cannot solve this problem.

[0005] The present invention aims to obtain the same effect of averaging for each stimulation site when averaging multiple biological data measured in response to trigger signals linked to stimulation of multiple sites. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A biological data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an averaging processing unit that performs averaging processing each time the number of averaging times of biological data measured in response to a trigger signal associated with stimulation of at least one site reaches a predetermined number, a storage unit that associates and stores averaging data, which is the result of the averaging processing for at least one stimulation site, with the number of averaging times in the averaging data, and a storage unit that references the storage unit based on the specified number of averaging times. And a little At least one stimulation site at a time , corresponding to the same number of additions The averaging data The average data is then acquired. and a biometric data processing unit that performs processing based on the biometric data using the biometric data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when performing arithmetic averaging of multiple biological data measured in response to trigger signals linked to stimulation of multiple sites, the effect of the arithmetic averaging can be obtained equally for each stimulation site corresponding to the trigger signal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a biological data measurement system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a measurement apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a measurement WS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a data storage server according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an analysis WS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the measurement WS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the analysis WS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for specifying a predetermined number of times and a total number of times of addition. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a measurement screen and an operation screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arithmetic average data list. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen during action current estimation. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an inappropriate action current estimation result. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the appropriate estimation result of the action current. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an analysis WS according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a measurement WS according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of a designation screen for a predetermined number of times and a total number of times of addition according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of a designation screen for a predetermined number of times and a total number of times of addition according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a biological data measurement system according to fourth to sixth embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a measurement WS according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a data storage server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an analysis WS according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the biological data processing device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of a designation screen for a predetermined number of times, a segment width, and a total number of times of addition according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of a designation screen for a predetermined number of times, a segment width, and a total number of times of addition according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of waveform data displayed on a measurement screen or an analysis screen. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a frequency spectrum displayed on a measurement screen or an analysis screen. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a segment addition data list. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a measurement WS according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a data storage server according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an analysis WS according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 32] 13 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the biological data processing device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a designation screen for a predetermined number of times, a segment width, and a total number of times of addition according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 34] 13 is a flowchart of an operation example of the biological data processing device according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are examples of a biometric data processing device for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. Unless otherwise specified, the shapes of the components described below, their relative locations, parameter values, etc. are intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the sizes and positional relationships of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation.

[0011] The biological data processing device according to the embodiment is a device that performs processing based on biological data measured by a measurement device. The processing based on the biological data is, for example, processing to estimate an active current of a living body.

[0012] The measurement device is a magnetospinometer or similar device that measures biological data, such as magnetic field data generated in the body in response to electrical or other stimuli. A magnetospinometer is a device that measures the slight magnetic field generated by neural activity in the spinal cord, visualizing neural activity without damaging the body (see, for example, "https: / / reader.elsevier.com / reader / sd / pii / S1388245718313415?token=C588DF7ADF1D16EAB0CF51EEF358B69D0570B5948A51FB4CFE60D5406A1D8A4DF9D54238F814CBD7DF87EFFF38BBDBC0").

[0013] An active current in a living body is a weak current that flows when an action potential is generated when a living cell or tissue is stimulated, causing the stimulated part to have a negative potential relative to other parts, resulting in a potential difference.

[0014] In the embodiment, each time the number of additions of biological data measured in response to multiple trigger signals reaches a predetermined number, the arithmetic average data, which is the result of arithmetic averaging processing, is stored in association with the number of additions in the arithmetic average data.

[0015] Then, the storage unit is referenced based on the specified number of additions to obtain averaged data corresponding to the trigger signal, and processing based on the biological data is performed using the averaged data. The processing based on the biological data is, for example, processing to estimate the strength of the active current at at least one stimulation site.

[0016] In an embodiment, by using arithmetic average data with the same number of additions for at least one stimulation site, differences in the number of additions for each stimulation site are eliminated, making it possible to obtain the same effect of arithmetic average processing for each stimulation site.

[0017] In the following, an embodiment will be described using as an example a biological data measurement system having a measurement device that measures the magnetic field of a living body and a biological data processing device that estimates the active current of the living body from the biological data measured by the measurement device. Also, in the embodiment, an example will be described in which the strength of the current flowing through the nerves in the spinal cord of a living body is estimated by applying electrical stimulation to the living body.

[0018] The term "user" used above and below refers to a user who uses the biological data measurement system, more specifically, a technician who acquires biological data using the biological data measurement system, or a doctor who performs an examination or diagnosis.

[0019] [Embodiment] <Overall configuration of biological data measurement system 1> First, the overall configuration of a biological data measurement system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a biological data measurement system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the biological data measurement system 1 includes a measurement device 2, a measurement WS (Work Station) 3, an analysis WS 4, and a data storage server 5. These are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other. Of these, the measurement WS 3, the analysis WS 4, and the data storage server 5 constitute a biological data processing device 10.

[0021] The measurement device 2 is a magnetospinometer that measures magnetic field data generated in a living body in response to stimuli such as electrical stimuli corresponding to multiple trigger signals. The magnetic field data is an example of measurement data. The measurement device 2 transmits the magnetic field data, which is the measurement result in response to trigger signals linked to stimuli for multiple parts, to the measurement WS 3 along with the multiple trigger signals.

[0022] The measurement WS3 counts the multiple trigger signals received from the measurement device 2 to obtain the number of additions for each of the multiple stimulation sites, and performs arithmetic averaging on the magnetic field data each time the number of additions for each of the multiple stimulation sites reaches a predetermined number.Then, the arithmetic average data, which is the result of the arithmetic averaging, is associated with information on the number of additions in the arithmetic average data and transmitted to the data storage server 5.

[0023] The data storage server 5 stores the arithmetic average data received from the measurement WS 3 in association with the number of additions.

[0024] The analysis WS4 acquires averaged data for each of the multiple stimulation sites based on the number of additions specified by the user, with reference to the data storage server 5, and estimates the strength of the active current for each of the multiple stimulation sites using the acquired averaged data. The analysis WS4 can display the estimation results on its own display, send them to the data storage server 5 for storage, or send them to an external device such as an external server.

[0025] In this embodiment, the biometric data processing device 10 is configured by three devices, namely, the measurement WS3, the analysis WS4, and the data storage server 5, but is not limited to this. The biometric data processing device 10 may be configured by one device that integrates the functions of the measurement WS3, the analysis WS4, and the data storage server 5, or may be configured by four or more devices in which the functions of the measurement WS3, the analysis WS4, and the data storage server 5 are distributed.

[0026] Furthermore, the biological data measurement system 1 may include devices other than the measurement WS 3, the analysis WS 4, and the data storage server 5 in a communicable manner, and may include other biological data measurement devices other than the measurement device 2 in a communicable manner.

[0027] <Configuration example of measurement device 2> Next, the configuration of the measurement device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the measurement device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement device 2 has a magnetic sensor array 200 and a dewar 210 that houses the magnetic sensor array 200.

[0029] The magnetic sensor array 200 is a biosensor in which a plurality of magnetic sensors 201 are arranged in an array, and is placed behind the neck of the subject 100. Here, the subject 100 is an example of a "living body."

[0030] Each of the multiple magnetic sensors 201 measures the biological magnetic field in each of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, and outputs magnetic field data. In the example of Fig. 2, the magnetic sensor array 200 includes 7 x 5 magnetic sensors, and the magnetic field data measured by each of the multiple magnetic sensors 201 is output to the biological data processing device 10. The position at which the magnetic sensor array 200 is placed relative to the subject 100 is adjusted in advance using a marker coil or the like.

[0031] The interior of the dewar 210 is filled with liquid helium, and cooling is performed to operate the magnetic sensor array 200 at extremely low temperatures.

[0032] In the embodiment, the position of point 240 on the magnetic sensor array 200 is set as the origin of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. By setting the position of point 240 on the magnetic sensor array 200 as the origin of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, the relative positional relationships between the multiple magnetic sensors 201 in the magnetic sensor array 200 can all be expressed by the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate.

[0033] Furthermore, since the method of measuring the magnetic field using the measuring device 2 can be based on known techniques such as those described in JP 2018-089104 A, further detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0034] 2 shows an example in which the magnetic sensor array 200 is placed behind the neck of the subject 100, but below, an example will be described in which the magnetic sensor array 200 is placed behind the waist of the subject 100, and magnetic field data inside the living body near the waist is measured to estimate the strength of the current flowing through the nerves in the spinal cord. However, the estimation target is not limited to the strength of the current flowing through the nerves in the spinal cord. For example, the estimation target can also be the strength of the current flowing through the peripheral nerves of the limbs, such as the arms and legs.

[0035] <Example of computer hardware configuration> In this embodiment, the measurement WS 3, the analysis WS 4, and the data storage server 5 can each be constructed by a computer. The hardware configuration of this computer will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. Note that Fig. 3 illustrates the hardware configuration of a computer that implements the measurement WS 3, but the hardware configurations of the computers that implement each of the analysis WS 4 and the data storage server 5 are also similar to those shown in Fig. 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement WS3 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, and a network I / F 509.

[0038] The measurement WS 3 also includes a data bus 510 , a keyboard 511 , a pointing device 512 , a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514 , and a media I / F 516 .

[0039] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the measurement WS 3. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader).

[0040] The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501.

[0041] The display 506 displays various types of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various types of external devices. In this case, the external devices are, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, printers, etc.

[0042] The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using a network. The data bus 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501.

[0043] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc.

[0044] The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the medium is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0045] [First embodiment] <Example of functional configuration of the biometric data processing device 10> Next, the functional configurations of the measurement WS 3, the analysis WS 4, and the data storage server 5 that constitute the biological data processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] (Example of functional configuration of Measurement WS3) 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the measurement WS 3. As shown in FIG.

[0047] These units are functions or means that are realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to commands from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 4 shows the main components of the measurement WS 3, but the measurement WS 3 may have other components. For example, the measurement WS 3 may be provided with a display unit that displays waveform data indicating the magnetic field data received from the measurement device 2.

[0048] The communication unit 31 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement device 2, the analysis WS 4, and the data storage server 5, respectively.

[0049] The arithmetic average processing unit 32 acquires information on the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of additions input by the user using the keyboard 511 (see FIG. 3) or the like. The total number of times of additions is the total number of times that the arithmetic average processing unit 32 adds up the magnetic field data. Note that the arithmetic average processing unit 32 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of additions that is stored in advance in the HD 504 or the like by referring to the HD 504 or the like.

[0050] The arithmetic average processing unit 32 receives a plurality of trigger signals from the measurement device 2 via the communication unit 31. In addition, for each of the plurality of trigger signals, the arithmetic average processing unit 32 receives magnetic field data measured by the measurement device 2 at a predetermined period from the time when magnetic field measurement is started via the communication unit 31 and performs an arithmetic average processing. Note that the predetermined period may differ for each trigger signal.

[0051] The arithmetic average processor 32 counts the received multiple trigger signals, obtains the number of additions for each stimulation site corresponding to each trigger signal, and performs arithmetic averaging on the magnetic field data corresponding to each trigger signal each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number. If the number of additions differs for each stimulation site corresponding to each trigger signal, there will be some stimulation sites that are subjected to arithmetic averaging and some stimulation sites that are not subjected to arithmetic averaging at the same time.

[0052] The arithmetic averaging process calculates an average value by dividing the value obtained by sequentially adding the magnetic field data measured by the measurement device 2 by the number of additions. The arithmetic averaging processing unit 32 associates the arithmetic average data, which is the processing result, with information on the number of additions in the arithmetic average data, and transmits them to the data storage server 5 via the communication unit 31.

[0053] The measurement control unit 33 receives instructions based on the estimation result of the intensity of the active current by an estimation unit (described later) included in the analysis WS 4 via the communication unit 31, and can cause the measurement device 2 to suspend or extend the measurement based on this estimation result. The measurement control unit 33 can receive the instruction to suspend or extend the measurement from the analysis WS 4 as interrupt data at any timing when the instruction is received.

[0054] (Example of functional configuration of data storage server 5) 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the data storage server 5. As shown in FIG.

[0055] Each of these units is a function or means for performing a function that is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to an instruction from CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from ROM 502 onto RAM 503. Note that Fig. 5 shows the main components of data storage server 5, but data storage server 5 may have other components.

[0056] The communication unit 51 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 3 and the analysis WS 4 .

[0057] The storage unit 52 stores the arithmetic average data 522 received from the measurement WS 3 via the communication unit 51 in association with the number of additions 521 used in the arithmetic average. Note that the arithmetic average data 522 is a generic notation for a plurality of arithmetic average data, the number of additions 521 is a generic notation for a plurality of numbers of additions, and the parameter 523 is a generic notation for a plurality of parameters.

[0058] (Example of functional configuration of Analysis WS4) 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the analysis WS 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the analysis WS 4 includes a communication unit 41, an estimation unit 42, a first designation receiving unit 43, an instruction receiving unit 44, a display unit 45, and a determination unit 46.

[0059] These units are functions or means for performing functions that are realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to instructions from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 6 shows the main components of the analysis WS 4, but the analysis WS 4 may have other components.

[0060] The communication unit 41 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 3 and the data storage server 5, respectively.

[0061] The first designation receiving unit 43 receives information about the number of additions that the user has specified using the keyboard 511 or the like. For example, the first designation receiving unit 43 obtains a list of arithmetic average data stored in the storage unit 52 via the communication unit 41, and causes the display unit 45 to display the obtained list of arithmetic average data on the display 506 or the like. The first designation receiving unit 43 can receive information about the number of additions from the result of a selection made by the user visually viewing the list of arithmetic average data.

[0062] The estimation unit 42 is an example of a biological data processing unit that performs processing based on biological data. The estimation unit 42 performs processing to estimate the strength of the active current of the living body based on the magnetic field data measured by the measurement device 2.

[0063] Specifically, the estimation unit 42 acquires arithmetic average data for each of the multiple stimulation sites by referring to the storage unit 52 of the data storage server 5 via the communication unit 41 based on the specified number of additions. The storage unit 52 stores the number of additions and the arithmetic average data for each of the multiple stimulation sites of the living body in association with each other, so that by specifying the number of additions, it is possible to acquire arithmetic average data corresponding to the number of additions for each of the multiple stimulation sites.

[0064] The estimation unit 42 estimates the strength of the active current at each of the multiple stimulation sites using the acquired arithmetic average data. This estimation algorithm can use the "Array-Gain Constraint Minimum-Norm Spatial Filter With Recursively Updated Gram Matrix" (see, for example, "https: / / ieeexplore.ieee.org / document / 5415622") or the like.

[0065] Here, the measurement cycle of the magnetic field data by the measurement device 2 may differ for each of the multiple stimulation sites of the living body. Alternatively, a malfunction in trigger generation or measurement may occur only for a specific stimulation site, resulting in some data being missing. Therefore, for example, when arithmetic average data is obtained for each stimulation site based on the measurement time, the number of arithmetic averages may differ for each stimulation site. If the number of arithmetic averages differs, the effect of the arithmetic average process cannot be obtained equally for each stimulation site, and the accuracy of estimating the strength of the active current will differ for each stimulation site.

[0066] In contrast, in this embodiment, the strength of the active current is estimated using arithmetic average data corresponding to the same number of additions for each stimulation site, so the effect of the arithmetic average process can be obtained equally for each stimulation site, and thus the accuracy of estimating the strength of the active current becomes equal for each stimulation site.

[0067] The display unit 45 displays the estimation result of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 42. For example, the display unit 45 displays the estimation result on the display 506 so that the user can visually confirm it. The display unit 45 can also receive waveform data indicating the magnetic field data measured by the measurement device 2 via the measurement WS 3 and display this.

[0068] Even if measurement is in progress, the estimation unit 42 estimates the strength of the active current based on data that has already been saved (for the number of additions made during that time), and the user can visually confirm the estimation results by the estimation unit 42 displayed on the display unit 45.

[0069] The user can visually check the estimated results of the strength of the active current displayed on the display 506 and determine whether the estimated results for each stimulation site are valid, or whether a sufficient amount of magnetic field data has been measured.

[0070] If the user determines that the estimation result of the active current is invalid, he / she issues an instruction to suspend the measurement using the keyboard 511 or the like. The instruction receiving unit 44 transmits the received instruction to suspend the measurement to the measurement WS 3 via the communication unit 41. In response to the instruction, the measurement control unit 33 of the measurement WS 3 can cause the measurement device 2 to suspend the measurement.

[0071] Furthermore, if the user determines that the amount of magnetic field data is insufficient, he or she issues an instruction to extend the measurement using the keyboard 511 or the like. The instruction receiving unit 44 transmits the received instruction to the measurement WS 3 via the communication unit 41. In response to the instruction, the measurement control unit 33 of the measurement WS 3 can cause the measurement device 2 to extend the measurement.

[0072] The determination unit 46 determines whether the estimation result by the estimation unit 42 corresponds to the total number of additions, and whether there is arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions. The determination unit 46 also determines whether to extend the measurement. Then, depending on these determination results, the determination unit 46 outputs a signal indicating an instruction to suspend or extend the measurement to the instruction receiving unit 44.

[0073] The instruction receiving unit 44 can receive not only instructions to suspend or extend measurement based on the user's judgment, but also instructions to suspend or extend measurement from the judgment unit 46, and transmit them to the measurement WS3 via the communication unit 41.

[0074] <Example of operation of the biometric data processing device 10> Next, the operations of the measurement WS 3 and the analysis WS 4 that constitute the biological data processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0075] (Example of measurement WS3 operation) First, Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the measurement WS 3. Fig. 7 shows the operation of the measurement WS 3 triggered when the biological data measurement system 1 starts measurement.

[0076] First, in step S71, the averaging processor 32 acquires information on the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of addition input by the user using the keyboard 511, etc. Note that the averaging processor 32 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of addition stored in advance in the HD 504, etc., from the HD 504, etc.

[0077] Next, in step S72, the averaging processing unit 32 receives multiple trigger signals and magnetic field data measured at multiple stimulation locations corresponding to each of the multiple trigger signals from the measurement device 2 via the communication unit 31 and performs an averaging process.

[0078] Next, in step S73, the averaging processing unit 32 counts the received trigger signals to obtain the number of additions for each of the multiple stimulation sites, and determines whether the number of additions for each of the multiple stimulation sites has reached a predetermined number.

[0079] If it is determined in step S73 that the threshold has been reached (step S73, Yes), the arithmetic average processing unit 32 performs arithmetic averaging of the magnetic field data for each of the multiple stimulation sites in step S74. On the other hand, if it is determined that the threshold has not been reached (step S73, No), the operations from step S72 onwards are performed again.

[0080] Next, in step S74, the arithmetic average processing unit 32 associates the arithmetic average data, which is the result of the arithmetic average processing, with information on the number of additions in the arithmetic average data, and transmits the associated data to the data storage server 5 via the communication unit 31. The data storage server 5 can store the received arithmetic average data and information on the number of additions in association with each other.

[0081] Subsequently, in step S76, the measurement control unit 33 determines whether or not an instruction to interrupt the measurement has been given.

[0082] If it is determined in step S76 that an instruction has been given (step S76, Yes), the operation proceeds to step S79. On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction has not been given (step S76, No), the operation proceeds to step S77.

[0083] The operation of step S76 is performed at any timing based on interrupt data from the analysis WS 4. Therefore, the operation of step S76 may be performed in any order of steps S71 to S79.

[0084] Subsequently, in step S77, the measurement control unit 33 determines whether the number of additions has reached the total number of additions. Note that this determination may be made by the averaging processing unit 32 instead of the measurement control unit 33.

[0085] If it is determined in step S77 that the time has not been reached (step S77, No), the operations from step S72 onwards are performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S77 that the time has been reached (step S77, Yes), in step S78, the measurement control unit 33 determines whether or not an instruction to extend the measurement has been issued.

[0086] If it is determined in step S78 that an instruction has been given (step S78, Yes), the operations from step S72 onwards are performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction has not been given (step S78, No), in step S79, the measurement control unit 33 causes the measuring device 2 to end measurement.

[0087] The operation of step S78 is performed at any timing based on interrupt data from the analysis WS 4. Therefore, the operation of step S78 may be performed in any order from steps S71 to S79.

[0088] In this way, the measurement WS 3 can perform averaging processing and control the measurement device 2 in response to an instruction to suspend or extend the measurement.

[0089] (Example of analysis WS4 operation) Next, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the analysis WS 4. Fig. 8 shows the operation of the analysis WS 4, which is triggered when the user operates the analysis WS 4 to start the process of estimating the biological action current using the arithmetic average data.

[0090] First, in step S81, the first designation receiving unit 43 acquires a list of arithmetic average data stored in the storage unit 52 via the communication unit 41, and causes the display unit 45 to display the acquired list of arithmetic average data on the display 506 or the like. The user can visually check the displayed list of arithmetic average data and select arithmetic average data using the keyboard 511 or the like.

[0091] Next, in step S82, the first designation receiving unit 43 receives information on the number of additions from the result of the user's selection.

[0092] Next, in step S83, the estimation unit 42 obtains the arithmetic average data for each of the multiple stimulation sites by referring to the storage unit 52 of the data storage server 5 via the communication unit 41 based on the number of additions accepted by the first specification accepting unit 43.

[0093] Subsequently, in step S84, the estimation unit 42 estimates the strength of the active current at each of the multiple stimulation sites using the acquired arithmetic mean data.

[0094] Next, in step S85, the display unit 45 displays the estimation result of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 42. For example, the display unit 45 displays the estimation result on the display 506 so that the user can visually confirm it. Even if measurement is in progress, the estimation unit 42 estimates the intensity of the active current based on data that has already been saved (for the number of additions made during the measurement), and the user can visually confirm the estimation result by the estimation unit 42 displayed on the display unit 45.

[0095] Next, in step 86, the instruction receiving unit 44 receives a determination result by the user who visually checks the estimation result of the intensity of the active current as to whether the estimation result is valid or not.

[0096] If the analysis WS 4 receives a determination result that the estimated result is valid (Yes in step S86), the analysis WS 4 terminates its operation. On the other hand, if the analysis WS 4 receives a determination result that the estimated result is invalid (No in step S86), the determination unit 46 determines in step S87 whether the estimated result is based on the averaged data corresponding to the total number of summations. Here, the determination of validity includes a determination of whether the data in the middle of measurement is valid when the intensity of the active current estimated using data in the middle of measurement is visually confirmed.

[0097] If it is determined in step S87 that the data is not based on the arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions (step S87, No), in step S88, the judgment unit 46 determines whether or not there is arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions.

[0098] In step S88, if it is determined that there is arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions (step S88, Yes), the analysis WS 4 ends its operation. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions (step S88, No), in step S89, the instruction receiving unit 44 receives an instruction to interrupt measurement from the determination unit 46 and transmits it to the measurement WS 3 via the communication unit 41. Thereafter, the analysis WS 4 ends its operation.

[0099] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S87 that the data is based on the arithmetic average data corresponding to the total number of additions (step S87, Yes), in step S90 the determination unit 46 determines whether or not to extend the measurement.

[0100] If it is determined in step S90 that the measurement should not be extended (step S90, No), the analysis WS 4 ends its operation. On the other hand, if it is determined that the measurement should be extended (step S90, No), in step S91, the instruction receiving unit 44 receives an instruction to extend the measurement from the determination unit 46 and transmits it to the measurement WS 3 via the communication unit 41. Thereafter, the analysis WS 4 ends its operation.

[0101] In this way, the analysis WS 4 executes the process of estimating the biological action current, and can instruct the measurement WS 3 to suspend or extend the measurement based on the estimation result.

[0102] <Examples of various display screens> Next, various display screens displayed by the biological data measurement system 1 will be described.

[0103] (Example of the screen for specifying the specified number of times and total number of times added) 9 is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen for the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of addition displayed by the measurement WS 3. When starting measurement of magnetic field data by the measurement device 2, the measurement WS 3 displays the screen of FIG.

[0104] 9, 2000 times, 2500 times, 3000 times, and 3500 times correspond to the predetermined number of times, and 4000 times corresponds to the total number of times of addition.

[0105] In the biological data measurement system 1, an arithmetic averaging process is performed each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, and the arithmetic average data is associated with the number of additions in the arithmetic average data and stored in the data storage server 5. In addition, each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, the strength of the active current at each of a plurality of stimulation sites of the living body is estimated based on the arithmetic average data that has been subjected to the arithmetic averaging process, and the estimated results are displayed so that the user can check whether the estimated results are valid or not during the process.

[0106] (Examples of measurement screen and operation screen) Next, the measurement screen and the operation screen will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0107] Here, Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a measurement screen and an operation screen displayed during measurement by the measurement device 2. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arithmetic average data list. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen during active current estimation. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen showing an inappropriate active current estimation result. Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen showing an appropriate active current estimation result.

[0108] 10, the measurement screen 60 includes an operation screen 61 and a measurement data screen 62. Of these, the operation screen 61 is a screen that the user operates to instruct the start and end of measurement, change the display method of the measurement data, etc.

[0109] The measurement data screen 62 is a screen that displays magnetic field measurement data measured by the measurement device 2. The measurement data screen 62 includes an x ​​measurement data screen 621, a y measurement data screen 622, and a z measurement data screen 623.

[0110] The x measurement data screen 621 displays magnetic field data in the x-axis direction in Fig. 2. The y measurement data screen 622 displays magnetic field data in the y-axis direction in Fig. 2, and the z measurement data screen 623 displays magnetic field data in the z-axis direction in Fig. 2.

[0111] The waveform data 63 displayed on the measurement data screen 62 displays magnetic field data from one magnetic sensor included in the magnetic sensor array 200. The horizontal axis of the waveform data 63 represents time, and the vertical axis represents magnetic field strength. The waveform data 63 displays magnetic field data from each of the multiple magnetic sensors included in the magnetic sensor array 200 in real time.

[0112] The number of waveform data 63 included in each of the x measurement data screen 621 , the y measurement data screen 622 and the z measurement data screen 623 corresponds to the number of magnetic sensors included in the magnetic sensor array 200 .

[0113] Here, the arithmetic average processing unit 32 performs arithmetic averaging on the waveform data 63 acquired in time series. Specifically, the arithmetic average processing unit 32 adds the magnetic field data for each time period in the waveform data 63, and divides the result of adding the magnetic field data for each time period by the number of additions to acquire arithmetic average data.

[0114] Among the data included in the waveform data 63, data corresponding to noise occurs randomly over time, and is therefore cancelled out by averaging. In contrast, among the data included in the waveform data 63, magnetic field data is accumulated when added. As a result, averaging can amplify the magnetic field data compared to the data corresponding to noise.

[0115] The waveform data 63 is an example of biological magnetic field data and is also an example of biological data. Waveform data generated by averaging a plurality of waveform data 63 corresponds to average data.

[0116] 10, a start button 64 indicated by a dashed square is a button that the user presses to start the process of estimating the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 42. When the user presses the start button 64 using the cursor of the pointing device 512 in FIG. 3, the instruction receiving unit 44 in the analysis WS 4 requests and obtains a list of arithmetic mean data from the data storage server 5.

[0117] The display unit 45 displays a list of the acquired arithmetic average data on the display 506. FIG. 11 shows an example of the arithmetic average data list. Measurement A and Measurement B in FIG. 11 each indicate information indicating the subject as a living organism. Triggers α and β indicate trigger signals for generating electrical stimulation to be applied to each of multiple stimulation sites on the living organism, and are examples of multiple trigger signals. The final flag is information indicating the total number of additions.

[0118] When the user selects the number of additions from the displayed list of addition average data, the estimation unit 42 acquires the addition average data corresponding to the number of additions by referring to the storage unit 52 via the communication units 41 and 51. The estimation unit 42 can perform estimation processing using the addition average data corresponding to the number of additions selected by the user.

[0119] Here, after the start button 64 is pressed, a spinal cord position designation screen 70 as shown in Fig. 12 may be displayed. The spinal cord position designation screen 70 is a screen used to designate a different spinal cord position for each subject. As shown in Fig. 12, the spinal cord position designation screen 70 includes an X-ray image screen 701 and an estimation start instruction reception screen 702.

[0120] Among these, the X-ray image screen 701 displays an X-ray image screen 701 taken from the side of the subject 100 (see FIG. 2). The X-ray image is an image input from an external device via the communication unit 41.

[0121] The user can specify the position within the living body where the strength of the active current is to be estimated by viewing the X-ray image screen 701 and specifying a point on the screen using the cursor of the pointing device 512 shown in Fig. 3. The strength of the active current is estimated within the region including the specified position.

[0122] In Figure 12, the curve 7011 included in the X-ray image screen 701 is a curve that is automatically drawn so as to include the point specified by the user on the X-ray image screen 701, and corresponds to the position of the spinal cord inside the subject 100 when viewed from the side.

[0123] After specifying a point on the curve 7011, the user can start the process of estimating the strength of the active current at a position inside the subject 100 corresponding to the specified point by pressing the start button 7021 on the estimation start instruction reception screen 702 using the cursor of the pointing device 512 in Figure 3.

[0124] 13, the estimation result display screen 80 includes an X-ray image screen 701 and an action current intensity distribution map 801. The distribution map 801 is a diagram in which the two-dimensional distribution of the action current intensity estimated based on the data measured by each magnetic sensor included in the magnetic sensor array 200 is displayed in color.

[0125] The biological data measurement system 1 acquires the distribution diagram 801 in time series and displays the distribution diagram 801 in time series, thereby making it possible to visualize the state of current flowing through the spinal cord in a moving image.

[0126] 13, it can be seen that in the distribution diagram 801, a strong active current is estimated in a location where no active current should actually exist inside the living body, i.e., outside the human body. This indicates that the estimation result of the strength of the active current is significantly affected by noise. In other words, FIG. 13 shows an inappropriate estimation result in which the active current is estimated based on measurement data of a magnetic field containing a lot of noise because the number of measurement data used in the processing by the averaging processor 32 is insufficient.

[0127] 14, on the other hand, it can be seen that a strong active current is estimated in the location where an active current should be present inside a living body, i.e., on the human spinal cord, in the distribution map 901. This indicates that the influence of noise is suppressed in the estimation result of the strength of the active current.

[0128] In other words, Figure 14 shows the estimation result in an appropriate case where the number of measurement data used for processing by the averaging processing unit 32 was sufficient, and therefore the active current was estimated based on measurement data of a magnetic field with suppressed noise.

[0129] The user can determine whether the estimation result is appropriate by visually checking the distribution diagrams exemplified in Figures 13 and 14. If it is determined to be inappropriate, the user operates the start button 64 (see Figure 10) to issue an instruction to start the estimation process again.

[0130] Alternatively, instead of receiving a start instruction, the number of measurement data may be input as a number into an edit box 81 shown in a dashed-dotted rectangle in FIG. 13, and the estimation process by the estimation unit 42 may be started when the number of measurement data corresponding to the input number has been acquired.

[0131] <Operation and Effects of Biometric Data Processing Device 10> As described above, in the embodiment, the arithmetic averaging processing unit 32 performs arithmetic averaging processing each time the number of arithmetic averaging operations of biological data measured in response to a trigger signal associated with stimulation corresponding to at least one site reaches a predetermined number. The storage unit 52 stores arithmetic average data, which is the result of the arithmetic averaging processing for at least one stimulation site, in association with the number of arithmetic averaging operations for the arithmetic average data. The estimation unit 42 performs processing based on the biological data using the arithmetic average data for at least one stimulation site acquired by referring to the storage unit 52 based on the specified number of arithmetic operations. For example, the estimation unit 42 performs processing based on the biological data by estimating the strength of the active current for at least one stimulation site.

[0132] In this way, by using arithmetic average data with the same number of additions for at least one stimulation site, differences in the number of additions for each stimulation site are eliminated, and the effect of the arithmetic average processing can be obtained equally for each stimulation site.

[0133] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a measurement control unit 33 that controls the interruption or extension of measurement by the measuring device 2 based on the result of estimation of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 42. Also included are a display unit 45 that displays the result of estimation of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 42, and an instruction receiving unit 44 that receives an instruction to either interrupt or extend the measurement by the measuring device 2, and the measurement control unit 33 causes the measurement by the measuring device 2 to be interrupted or extended in accordance with the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 44.

[0134] This allows the user to decide whether the estimated results are valid during the measurement or whether the measurement needs to be extended, and the measurement by the measuring device 2 can be interrupted or extended depending on the decision result.

[0135] In other words, the user can be asked to confirm whether the estimated results are valid or whether the measurement needs to be extended during the measurement, and the measurement by the measuring device 2 can be interrupted or extended depending on the confirmation result.

[0136] This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary measurements and extend the measurement period as necessary.

[0137] [Second embodiment] Next, a biological data measurement system 1a according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those described in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0138] In this embodiment, high estimation accuracy is ensured by having the estimation unit switch the estimation method depending on the number of additions. Specifically, when the number of additions is other than the total number of additions, the estimation unit performs processing at a higher speed than when the number of additions is the same as the total number of additions, and when the number of additions is the total number of additions, the estimation unit performs processing with a higher accuracy than when the number of additions is other than the total number of additions.

[0139] 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the analysis WS 4a included in the biological data measurement system 1a. As shown in FIG.

[0140] The switching unit 47 switches the method of estimation of the biological active current by the estimating unit 42 according to the specified number of additions accepted by the first specification accepting unit 43.

[0141] The estimation method may be, for example, the above-mentioned "Array-Gain Constraint Minimum-Norm Spatial Filter With Recursively Updated Gram Matrix," and the number of repetitions of this estimation process is switched when switching the estimation processing method. The estimation processing method is an example of a processing method performed by the biological data processing unit. By previously associating the designated number of times with the number of repetitions, the switching unit 47 can switch the number of repetitions according to the designated number.

[0142] In this way, in this embodiment, high estimation accuracy can be ensured by having the estimation unit 42 switch the estimation processing method depending on the number of additions. Furthermore, when high accuracy is not required, estimation can be performed at high speed by having the estimation unit switch the estimation method.

[0143] [Third embodiment] Next, a biological data measurement system 1b according to a third embodiment will be described.

[0144] 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the analysis WS 4b included in the biological data measurement system 1b. As shown in FIG. 16, the analysis WS 4b includes a second designation receiving unit 48 that receives designation of the predetermined number of times, and a third designation receiving unit 49 that receives designation of the number of update intervals used to automatically update the number of additions.

[0145] The analysis WS 4b receives the next number of additions as the predetermined number of times from the second designation receiving unit 48. Each time the number of additions reaches the predetermined number, the analysis WS 4b can update the predetermined number of times with the next number of additions received from the second designation receiving unit 48. Furthermore, each time the number of additions reaches the predetermined number of times, the analysis WS 4b automatically updates the predetermined number of times to the number obtained by adding the update interval number received from the third designation receiving unit 49 to the predetermined number.

[0146] 17 and 18 are diagrams illustrating a designation screen 170 for the predetermined number of times and the total number of times of addition according to this embodiment, with Fig. 17 being a diagram of a first example and Fig. 18 being a diagram of a second example. The designation screen 170 is a GUI (graphic user interface) that is displayed on the display 506 or the like and is operated and input using a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, or the like.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the designation screen 170 includes a switch 171, a first input box 172, a second input box 173, and a third input box 174.

[0148] The switch 171 is a switch for switching the setting between whether to automatically update the number of additions (ON) or not (OFF).

[0149] The first input box 172 is a box for inputting the “automatic update interval of the addition count,” which means the update interval count. The third designation receiving unit 49 in FIG. 16 receives the update interval count via the first input box 172.

[0150] The second input box 173 is a box for inputting the next number of additions. The second designation receiving unit 48 in Fig. 16 receives the next number of additions as the predetermined number of times via the second input box 173.

[0151] The third input box 174 is a box for inputting the total number of additions.

[0152] In Fig. 17, switch 171 is set so that the number of additions is not automatically updated (OFF). Since automatic updating is not performed, first input box 172 is disabled. Note that dot hatching in first input box 172 in Fig. 17 indicates that it is disabled.

[0153] The next number of additions is entered as "1000 times" in the second input box 173. The analysis WS 4b can specify the predetermined number of times as an arbitrary number by, for example, accepting an input of 1500 times as the next number of additions after the number of additions reaches 1000 times.

[0154] In Fig. 18, switch 171 is set to automatically update the number of additions (ON). Since automatic updating is performed, "1000 times" is entered in first input box 172 as the automatic update interval (update interval number) of the number of additions, and second input box 173 is disabled. Note that dot hatching in second input box 173 in Fig. 18 indicates that it is disabled.

[0155] Each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, the analysis WS 4b updates the predetermined number by adding the update interval number of "1000" to the predetermined number. In Fig. 11, since the total number of additions is specified as 4000, the predetermined number is automatically updated to 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 each time the number of additions reaches the predetermined number.

[0156] In this way, the biological data measurement system 1b has the second designation receiving unit 48 and the third designation receiving unit 49, so that the user of the biological data measurement system 1b can appropriately select the designation method for the predetermined number of times depending on the situation of measurement by the biological data measurement system 1b. As a result, the convenience of the biological data measurement system 1b can be improved.

[0157] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a biological data measurement system 181 according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

[0158] In a biological data measurement system, it is preferable to detect even a temporary decrease in the biological signal or the introduction of noise during measurement.

[0159] For example, the method described in JP 2019-162253 A can detect and eliminate sudden large noise, but cannot detect and eliminate small noise that would be apparent only through averaging. Furthermore, it cannot detect and eliminate a decline in biological signals. For example, if an abnormality occurs during measurement, it is difficult to accurately detect this abnormality, and this method is not sufficient to ensure the quality of the final averaged data.

[0160] In this embodiment, an abnormality is detected during measurement by the biological data measurement system 181, and data from the section where the abnormality occurred is eliminated, thereby ensuring sufficient signal quality and reliability of the measurement.

[0161] <Overall configuration of the biological data measurement system 181> 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a biological data measurement system 181. The biological data measurement system 181 includes a measurement device 182, a measurement WS 183, an analysis WS 184, and a data storage server 185. These are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other. Of these, the measurement WS 183, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185 constitute a biological data processing device 186.

[0162] The measurement device 182 is a magnetospinometer that measures magnetic field data generated at multiple parts of a living body in response to stimuli such as electrical stimuli corresponding to multiple trigger signals. The magnetic field data is an example of measurement data. The measurement device 182 transmits the magnetic field data, which is the measurement result for each of the multiple parts, to the measurement WS 183 along with multiple trigger signals corresponding to each of the multiple parts.

[0163] The measurement WS 183 counts the trigger signals received from the measurement device 182 to obtain the number of additions, and performs arithmetic averaging of the magnetic field data each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number. The arithmetic averaging process applies only to magnetic field data going back a separately specified number of times from the predetermined number. The separately specified number of times is called the segment width, and the obtained data is called segment addition data.

[0164] The measuring device 182 transmits the segment addition data to the data storage server 5 by associating the segment width, the number of averaging operations at the start point of the segment width, and the number of averaging operations at the end point of the segment width. Hereinafter, information that includes at least one of the above three types of information related to segment addition will be referred to as information related to segment addition.

[0165] The data storage server 185 stores the arithmetic average data received from the measurement WS 183 in association with information related to segment addition.

[0166] The analysis WS 184 acquires all segment summation data by referring to the data storage server 185, excludes invalid segment summation data, and then averages all segment summation data to obtain averaged data. The analysis WS 184 estimates the strength of the active current based on the obtained averaged data. The analysis WS 184 can display the estimation results on its own display, transmit them to the data storage server 185 for storage, or transmit them to an external device such as an external server.

[0167] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the biometric data processing device 186 is configured with three devices: the measurement WS 183, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185, but the present invention is not limited to this. The biometric data processing device 186 may have one device that integrates the functions of the measurement WS 183, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185, or may have four or more devices in which the functions of the measurement WS 183, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185 are distributed.

[0168] The biological data measurement system 181 may have devices other than the measurement WS 183, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185 in a communicable manner, and may have other biological data measurement devices other than the measurement device 182 in a communicable manner.

[0169] The configuration of the measuring device 182 is the same as the configuration of the measuring device 2 described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 2. The hardware configuration of the computer is the same as the hardware configuration of the computer described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 3.

[0170] <Example of functional configuration of the biometric data processing device 186> The functional configurations of the measurement WS 183, analysis WS 184, and data storage server 185 that constitute the biological data processing device 186 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20, 21, and 22.

[0171] (Example of functional configuration of Measurement WS183) 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the measurement WS 183. The measurement WS 183 includes a communication unit 187, an averaging processing unit 188, a measurement control unit 189, and a display unit 190.

[0172] Each of these units is a function or means for performing a function that is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 20 shows the main components of the measurement WS 183, but the measurement WS 183 may have other components.

[0173] The communication unit 187 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement device 182, the analysis WS 184, and the data storage server 185, respectively.

[0174] The arithmetic average processing unit 188 acquires information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions input by the user using the keyboard 511 (see FIG. 3) or the like. The total number of additions is the total number of times that the arithmetic average processing unit 188 adds up the magnetic field data. Note that the arithmetic average processing unit 188 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions stored in advance in the HD 504 or the like by referring to the HD 504 or the like.

[0175] The arithmetic average processing unit 188 receives at least one trigger signal from the measuring device 182 via the communication unit 187. The arithmetic average processing unit 188 also receives, via the communication unit 187, magnetic field data that corresponds to at least one trigger signal and that has been measured by the measuring device 182 going back a predetermined number of times by the segment width, and performs arithmetic average processing on the data.

[0176] The arithmetic averaging process calculates an average value by dividing the value obtained by adding the magnetic field data measured by the measuring device 182 back from a predetermined number of times by the segment width, by the number of times of addition. The arithmetic averaging process unit 188 sends the processed segment addition data to the display unit. Furthermore, the arithmetic averaging process unit 188 associates the segment addition data with information related to the segment addition, and sends the data to the data storage server 185 via the communication unit 187.

[0177] The display unit 190 displays the segment summation data as waveform data on a display. When displaying the segment summation data, the display unit 190 may display segment summation data associated with a plurality of predetermined times in parallel as waveform data. The display unit 190 may also display a frequency spectrum or the like that is the result of analyzing the segment summation data by some means. The measurement WS 183 evaluates the displayed waveform data, determines whether measurement was performed normally in the segment, and records the result.

[0178] The measurement WS 183 determines whether the measurement in a segment was performed normally according to a predetermined algorithm. However, a user may visually determine whether the measurement in a segment was performed normally. For example, a user may visually check the frequency spectrum and determine that an abnormality exists if a peak exists at a frequency other than the biological signal, or if the amplitude of the biological signal obtained from the waveform data is clearly lower than the amplitude of other segment sum data. A "clearly lower" refers to, for example, a decrease below the noise level contained in the segment sum data.

[0179] If the measurement WS 183 determines that the segment sum data is abnormal, it increases the number of additions by the segment width in order to exclude the segment sum data when generating the arithmetic average data. For example, the measurement WS 183 receives an instruction from the user using the keyboard 511 or the like to extend the measurement, and increases the number of additions by the segment width. In response to the extension instruction, the measurement control unit 189 can cause the measurement device 182 to extend the measurement.

[0180] The measurement control unit 189 receives instructions based on the results of evaluating the waveform data displayed on the display unit 190 via the communication unit 187, and based on this evaluation result, causes the measuring device 182 to suspend or extend the measurement. The measurement control unit 189 can receive the instruction to suspend or extend the measurement as interrupt data at any timing when the instruction is received.

[0181] (Example of functional configuration of data storage server 185) 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the data storage server 185. The data storage server 185 includes a communication unit 191 and a storage unit 192.

[0182] Each of these units is a function or means for performing a function that is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to an instruction from CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from ROM 502 onto RAM 503. Note that Fig. 21 shows the main components of data storage server 185, but data storage server 185 may have other components.

[0183] The communication unit 191 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 183 and the analysis WS 184 .

[0184] The storage unit 192 stores the segment addition data 524 received from the measurement WS 183 via the communication unit 191 in association with information 525 related to the segment addition. Note that the segment addition data 524 is a generic notation for a plurality of segment addition data, and the information related to the segment addition 525 is a generic notation for information related to a plurality of segment additions.

[0185] (Example of functional configuration of analysis WS184) 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the analysis WS 184. The analysis WS 184 includes a communication unit 193, an averaging unit 194, an estimation unit 195, a fourth designation receiving unit 196, and a display unit 197.

[0186] These units are functions or means for performing functions that are realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to instructions from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 22 shows the main components of the analysis WS 184, but the analysis WS 184 may have other components.

[0187] The communication unit 193 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 183 and the data storage server 185 .

[0188] The arithmetic average processing unit 194 acquires a list of segment summation data stored in the storage unit 192 via the communication unit 193, and causes the display unit 197 to display the acquired list of segment summation data on the display 506 or the like. The fourth designation receiving unit 196 can accept information on the number of additions based on the result of a user visually checking and selecting the list of segment summation data. At least one selected piece of segment summation data is subjected to arithmetic average processing based on the number of additions of each piece of data. The analysis WS 184 can exclude abnormal segment summation data from the presented list of segment summation data and acquire arithmetic average data.

[0189] The estimation unit 195 is an example of a biological data processing unit that performs processing based on biological data. The estimation unit 195 performs processing to estimate the strength of the biological active current based on the magnetic field data generated by the arithmetic average processing unit 194. The estimation unit 195 estimates the strength of the active current for each of multiple parts using the acquired arithmetic average data. The estimation algorithm may be the above-mentioned "Array-Gain Constraint Minimum-Norm Spatial Filter With Recursively Updated Gram Matrix" (see, for example, "https: / / ieeexplore.ieee.org / document / 5415622") or the like.

[0190] The display unit 197 displays the result of estimation of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 195. For example, the display unit 197 displays the estimation result on the display 506 so that the user can visually confirm it. The display unit 197 can also display waveform data indicating the acquired arithmetic average data or segment sum data.

[0191] The user can visually check the estimated result of the intensity of the active current displayed on the display 506 and confirm whether the measurement in the segment is being performed normally. If the user determines that the segment sum data is abnormal, the analysis WS 184 excludes the segment sum data when generating the summed average data.

[0192] <Example of operation of the biological data processing device 186> Next, the operation of the biometric data processing device 186 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the biometric data processing device 186. The biometric data processing device 186 starts the operation of Fig. 23 by receiving an instruction from a user to start biometric data processing, etc.

[0193] First, in step S101, the biometric data processing device 186 acquires information on the predetermined number of times, segment width, and total number of additions input by the user using the keyboard 511, etc., through the arithmetic average processing unit 188. Note that the arithmetic average processing unit 188 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times, segment width, and total number of additions stored in advance in the HD 504, etc., from the HD 504, etc.

[0194] Next, in step S102, the biological data processing device 186 receives and stores at least one trigger signal and magnetic field data measured in response to this trigger signal from the measurement device 182 via the communication unit 187 using the arithmetic average processing unit 188. In the description of this embodiment, one piece of magnetic field data corresponding to one trigger signal is referred to as epoch data.

[0195] Subsequently, in step S103, the biological data processing device 186 counts the received trigger signals using the averaging processing unit 188, acquires the number of additions for each trigger, and determines whether the number of additions has reached a predetermined number.

[0196] If it is determined in step S103 that the limit has been reached (step S103, Yes), in step S104, the biological data processing device 186 performs an averaging process on the magnetic field data going back by the segment width from the predetermined number of times using the averaging processing unit 188. On the other hand, if it is determined that the limit has not been reached (step S103, No), the biological data processing device 186 performs the operation of step S102 again.

[0197] Next, in step S105, the biometric data processing device 186 associates the segment addition data, which is the result of the segment addition averaging process, with information on the number of additions in the segment addition data, using the averaging processing unit 188, and transmits the associated data to the data storage server 185 via the communication unit 187. The data storage server 185 associates the received segment addition data with the information related to the segment addition and stores them. The biometric data processing device 186 also displays the segment addition data on the display unit 190 of the measurement WS 183.

[0198] Next, in step S106, the biological data processing device 186 checks the segment addition data displayed on the display unit 190 by the measurement WS 183 and determines whether it is normal. For example, the measurement WS 183 can determine whether it is normal by accepting an operation input by the user using the keyboard 511 or the like.

[0199] If it is determined in step S106 that the segment is not normal (step S106, No), in step S107, the biometric data processing device 186 uses the measurement WS 183 to record this segment as an abnormal segment.

[0200] Next, in step S108, the biometric data processing device 186 increases the final addition count, i.e., adds the addition average count to immediately update the final addition count, or interrupts the measurement, using the measurement WS 183. Thereafter, the biometric data processing device 186 proceeds to step S102.

[0201] The biometric data processing device 186 may perform the operation of step S108 in any order of steps S101 to S107. Similarly, the biometric data processing device 186 may receive an instruction from the measurement WS 183 at any timing to update the settings of the segment and the predetermined number of times.

[0202] Subsequently, in step S109, the biological data processing device 186 determines whether or not the number of additions has reached the final number of additions (total number of additions) by the measurement control unit 189. Note that this determination may be made by the averaging processing unit 188 instead of the measurement control unit 189.

[0203] If it is determined in step S109 that the temperature has not been reached (step S109, No), the biometric data processing device 186 performs the operations from step S102 onwards again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the temperature has been reached (step S109, Yes), the biometric data processing device 186 causes the measuring device 182 to end measurement.

[0204] In this way, the biological data processing device 186 can execute averaging processing using the measurement WS 183, and can also control the measurement device 2 in response to an instruction to suspend or extend the measurement.

[0205] Next, in step S110, the biometric data processing device 186 acquires a list of segment summation data stored in the storage unit 192 via the communication unit 193 using the fourth designation receiving unit 196 of the analysis WS 184, and causes the display unit 197 to display the acquired list of segment summation data on the display 506 or the like. The user can visually check the displayed list of summation average data and select summation average data using the keyboard 511 or the like. At this time, the biometric data processing device 186 excludes segment summation data recorded as abnormal segments.

[0206] Next, in step S111, the biometric data processing device 186 performs arithmetic averaging on the selected sum data of at least one segment in accordance with the segment width. Through this processing, the biometric data processing device 186 obtains arithmetic average data corresponding to at least one trigger.

[0207] In this way, the biological data processing device 186 can obtain the arithmetic mean data required for the estimation process of the biological action current by the analysis WS4.

[0208] <Examples of various display screens> Next, various display screens displayed in the biological data measurement system 181 will be described.

[0209] (Example of the screen for specifying the specified number of times and total number of times added) The predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions are set using, for example, the screen of either FIG. 24 or FIG. 25 displayed on the display 506 or the like.

[0210] 24 and 25 are diagrams illustrating example screens for specifying the predetermined number of times, segment width, and total number of additions according to this embodiment. In FIG. 24, switch 211 is set to OFF so that segment addition is not performed. In this case, input boxes 212 and 213 are disabled so that parameters related to the segment addition averaging process, namely, the segment execution interval and segment width, cannot be edited. Note that dot hatching in input boxes 212 and 213 in FIG. 24 indicates that they are in a state where input is not accepted. Hereinafter, dot hatched boxes will be treated in the same manner. Input box 214 is where the total number of additions is entered.

[0211] Fig. 25 is a diagram illustrating a screen for specifying the interval for updating the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions according to this embodiment. In Fig. 25, switch 215 is set to on so that the number of additions is automatically updated. Since automatic updating is performed, "500 times" is entered in input box 216 as the automatic update interval (update interval number of times) for the number of additions. Input box 217 displays the same value as the automatic update interval, and this value is specified as the segment width. Input box 218 is used to enter the total number of additions.

[0212] Each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, the measurement WS 183 adds the addition execution interval number of "500" to the predetermined number to update the predetermined number. In Fig. 25, since 4000 times is specified as the total number of additions, the predetermined number is automatically updated to 1000 times, 1500 times, 3500 times, and 4000 times each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number.

[0213] In the biological data measurement system 181, segment addition averaging is performed each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, and the segment addition data is stored in the data storage server 185 in association with information related to the segment additions.

[0214] (Examples of measurement screen and operation screen) Next, the measurement screen and operation screen will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 24 to FIG.

[0215] FIG. 10 and the elements included in FIG. 10 are the same as those explained in the first embodiment, and so explanations will be omitted here.

[0216] 26 and 27 are diagrams illustrating an example of the display results of segment sum data. Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating evaluation of segment sum data as waveform data. Fig. 27 is a diagram illustrating evaluation of segment sum data using a frequency spectrum after applying frequency analysis.

[0217] Figure 26 shows an example of waveform data 63 displayed when two pieces of segment summation data are displayed, with waveform data from a sensor that detected a particularly strong biological signal extracted and displayed vertically in a superimposed fashion. The solid line graph shows segment summation data from summation counts 1 to 500, while the dashed line graph shows segment summation data from summation counts 501 to 1000. In the segment summation data from 501 to 1000 in the dashed line graph, a drop in the strength of the biological signal occurs at the location indicated by the arrow in the figure, and it is considered that some kind of abnormality has occurred.

[0218] FIG. 27 displays the results of frequency analysis performed on the segment sum data for times 1 to 500, 501 to 1000, and 1001 to 1500 as frequency spectra. While there is not much noise in times 1 to 500, peaks exist at specific frequencies in the frequency spectra for times 501 to 1000 and 1001 to 1500, indicating that some kind of noise is mixed into each segment. This allows the user to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the segments 501 to 1000 and 1001 to 1500. The analysis workstation 184 may also superimpose and display the frequency spectra corresponding to this segment sum data.

[0219] The display unit 197 displays a list of the acquired arithmetic average data on the display 506. FIG. 28 shows an example of the arithmetic average data list. Measurement A and measurement B in FIG. 28 each represent information indicating the subject as a living organism. Triggers α and β represent trigger signals corresponding to stimuli applied to at least one part of the living organism, and are examples of at least one trigger signal. The abnormal flag indicates that the user has specified that the corresponding segment arithmetic data is abnormal.

[0220] When the user selects at least one piece of segment sum data from the displayed segment sum data list, the averaging processing unit 194 performs averaging processing on the selected segment sum data based on the number of additions corresponding to each selected segment, generates averaging data, and stores it in the data storage server 185. The estimation unit 195 can perform estimation processing using the averaging data generated by the procedure.

[0221] <Effects of the Biometric Data Processing Device 186> As described above, the biological data processing device 186 performs segment averaging processing and displays the result every time the number of additions of biological data measured at multiple sites in a living body in response to multiple trigger signals reaches a predetermined number by the averaging processing unit 188. The biological data processing device 186 stores the segment addition data, which is the processing result, in the storage unit 192 in association with the number of additions in this segment addition data.

[0222] Thereafter, the biological data processing device 186 performs averaging by the averaging processing unit 188 after excluding segments that the user has determined to be abnormal based on the displayed segment averaging data, thereby obtaining averaging data.

[0223] In this way, the biometric data processor 186 can display, evaluate, and sum the segment sum data to remove abnormal data and obtain summed average data.

[0224] The biological data processing device 186 also has a measurement control unit 189 that controls the interruption or extension of measurement by the measuring device 182 based on the display result of the segment addition data. As a result, if an abnormality occurs in a certain segment during a period of measurement, the biological data processing device 186 can either extend the measurement to compensate for the measurement data of this segment, or interrupt the measurement as an abnormality has occurred in the measurement itself.

[0225] In other words, the biometric data processing device 186 allows the user to check whether a certain section of the measurement is being performed normally or whether the measurement needs to be extended or interrupted, and depending on the result of the check, can extend or interrupt the measurement by the measuring device 182. In this way, the biometric data processing device 186 can remove the data from the section where an abnormality has occurred and guarantee the originally planned number of additions.

[0226] [Fifth embodiment] A biological data measurement system 181 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the speed of detecting abnormalities is improved by independently specifying the predetermined number of times to perform segment arithmetic average data and the segment width. The overall configuration of the biological data measurement system 181 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0227] The biological data measurement system 181 according to the fifth embodiment includes a measurement workstation 183a, an analysis workstation 184a, and a data storage server 185a. The measurement workstation 183a, the analysis workstation 184a, and the data storage server 185a configure a biological data processing device 186a.

[0228] The analysis WS 184a acquires all segment summation data by referencing the data storage server 185a, and displays on the display either waveform data representing the segment summation data or the current distribution within the body estimated by the estimation unit based on the segment summation data. The analysis WS 184a detects invalid segment summation data from the displayed data, excludes the detected segment summation data, and then averages all the segment summation data to obtain average data. The analysis WS 184a estimates the strength of the active current based on the average data obtained. The analysis WS 184a can display the estimation results on its own display, transmit them to the data storage server 185 for storage, or transmit them to an external device such as an external server.

[0229] The biological data measurement system 181 according to the fifth embodiment may have devices other than the measurement WS 183a, the analysis WS 184a, and the data storage server 185a that are communicable with each other, and may have other biological data measurement devices other than the measurement device 182 that are communicable with each other.

[0230] <Example of functional configuration of the biometric data processing device 186a> The functional configurations of the measurement WS 183a and the analysis WS 184a that constitute the biological data processing device 186a will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0231] (Example of functional configuration of Measurement WS183a) 29 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the measurement WS 183a. The measurement WS 183a includes a communication unit 221, an averaging processing unit 222, a measurement control unit 223, and a display unit 224.

[0232] These units are functions or means for performing functions that are realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to instructions from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 29 shows the main components of the measurement WS 183a, but the measurement WS 183a may have other components.

[0233] The communication unit 221 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measuring device 182, the analysis WS 184a, and the data storage server 185a.

[0234] The arithmetic average processing unit 222 acquires information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions input by the user using the keyboard 511 (see FIG. 3) or the like. The total number of additions is the total number of times that the arithmetic average processing unit 222 adds up the magnetic field data. Note that the arithmetic average processing unit 222 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions that is stored in advance in the HD 504 or the like by referring to the HD 504 or the like.

[0235] The arithmetic average processing unit 222 receives at least one trigger signal from the measuring device 2 via the communication unit 221. The arithmetic average processing unit 222 also receives, via the communication unit 221, magnetic field data that corresponds to at least one trigger signal and that has been measured by the measuring device 182 going back a predetermined number of times by the segment width, and performs arithmetic average processing on the magnetic field data.

[0236] The arithmetic averaging process calculates an average value by dividing the value obtained by adding the magnetic field data measured by the measuring device 182 back from a predetermined number of times by the segment width, by the number of additions. The arithmetic averaging process unit 222 associates the number of additions in the segment addition data with the number of additions at the start and end points of the segment, and transmits the segment addition data to the data storage server 185a via the communication unit 221.

[0237] The measurement control unit 223 receives instructions based on the evaluation results of the segment addition data in the analysis WS 184a via the communication unit 221, and can cause the measuring device 182 to suspend or extend the measurement based on the estimation results. The measurement control unit 223 can receive instructions to suspend or extend the measurement as interrupt data at any timing when the instruction is received.

[0238] (Example of functional configuration of data storage server 185a) 30 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the data storage server 185a. As shown in FIG. 30, the data storage server 185a includes a communication unit 225 and a storage unit 226.

[0239] Each of these units is a function or means for performing a function that is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to an instruction from CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from ROM 502 onto RAM 503. Note that Fig. 30 shows the main components of data storage server 185a, but data storage server 185a may have other components.

[0240] The communication unit 225 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 183a and the analysis WS 184a.

[0241] The storage unit 226 stores the trigger count 526 and the epoch data 527 received from the measurement WS 183a via the communication unit 225 in association with each other. The storage unit 226 also stores a list of segment addition data.

[0242] (Example of functional configuration of analysis WS184a) 31 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the analysis WS 184a. The analysis WS 184a includes a communication unit 227, an averaging unit 229, an estimation unit 230, a display unit 228, a fifth designation receiving unit 231, and a measurement control unit 232.

[0243] These units are functions or means for performing functions that are realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to instructions from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded from the ROM 502 onto the RAM 503. Note that Fig. 31 shows the main components of the analysis WS 184a, but the analysis WS 184a may have other components.

[0244] The communication unit 227 transmits and receives data and signals to and from the measurement WS 183a and the data storage server 185a.

[0245] The arithmetic average processing unit 229 acquires a list of segment sum data stored in the storage unit 226 via the communication unit 227, and causes the display unit 228 to display the acquired list of segment sum data on the display 506 or the like. The fifth designation receiving unit 231 can receive information on the number of additions from the results of a user visually checking the list of segment sum data and selecting it. At least one selected piece of segment sum data is subjected to arithmetic average processing based on the number of additions of each piece of data. In other words, abnormal segment sum data can be excluded from the presented list of segment sum data, and arithmetic average data can be acquired.

[0246] The estimation unit 230 is an example of a biological data processing unit that performs processing based on biological data. The estimation unit 230 performs processing to estimate the strength of the biological active current based on the magnetic field data generated by the arithmetic average processing unit 229. The estimation unit 230 estimates the strength of the biological active current using the acquired arithmetic average data. This estimation algorithm may use the above-mentioned "Array-Gain Constraint Minimum-Norm Spatial Filter With Recursively Updated Gram Matrix" (see, for example, "https: / / ieeexplore.ieee.org / document / 5415622") or the like.

[0247] The display unit 228 displays the result of estimation of the intensity of the active current by the estimation unit 230. For example, the display unit 228 displays the estimation result on the display 506 so that the user can visually confirm it. The display unit 228 can also display analysis results such as waveform data indicating the acquired arithmetic average data or segment sum data, frequency spectrum, or estimation results. This series of processes from data acquisition to display is performed even during measurement.

[0248] The analysis WS 184a may display the segment summation data associated with a plurality of predetermined times in parallel when displaying the segment summation data as waveform data and frequency spectrum on the display unit 228. The analysis WS 184a evaluates the displayed waveform data, determines whether or not the measurement in the segment was performed normally, and records the result.

[0249] The user may visually determine whether the measurement was performed normally and input the results to the analysis WS 184a, or the analysis WS 184a may automatically determine the measurement according to some algorithm. For example, the user may visually check the frequency spectrum and determine that an abnormality exists if there is a peak at a frequency other than that of the biological signal, or if the amplitude of the biological signal obtained from the waveform data is clearly lower than the amplitude of other segment sum data. A "clearly lower" refers to, for example, a decrease below the noise level contained in the segment sum data.

[0250] If the segment sum data is determined to be abnormal, the analysis WS 184a excludes this segment sum data when generating the arithmetic average data, and therefore increases the number of sums by the segment width. The analysis WS 184a accepts an instruction to extend the measurement instructed by the user using the keyboard 511 or the like. The measurement control unit 232 can cause the measurement device 182 to extend the measurement in response to the instruction. The analysis WS 184a may also transmit the accepted instruction to the measurement WS 183a via the communication unit 227, and the measurement WS 183a may cause the measurement device 182 to extend the measurement via the measurement control unit 223.

[0251] The estimation unit 230 estimates the intensity of the active current from the segment sum data that has already been saved, even during measurement, and the user can visually confirm the estimation result by the estimation unit 230 displayed on the display unit 228.

[0252] Furthermore, if the user determines that the amount of magnetic field data is insufficient, the user instructs the measurement to be extended using the keyboard 511 or the like. In response to the instruction, the measurement control unit 232 can cause the measurement device 182 to extend the measurement. Furthermore, the analysis WS 184a may transmit the received instruction to the measurement WS 183a via the communication unit 227, and the measurement WS 183a may cause the measurement control unit 223 to extend the measurement by the measurement device 182.

[0253] Fig. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the biometric data processing device 186a. Note that steps S121 and S122 in Fig. 32 are the same as steps S101 and S102 in Fig. 23. Steps S124 and S125 in Fig. 32 are the same as steps S103 and S104 in Fig. 23. Steps S127 to S130 in Fig. 32 are the same as steps S106 to S109 in Fig. 23. The following description will focus on the differences from Fig. 23.

[0254] In step S123, the biometric data processing device 186a transmits the epoch data to the data storage server 185a via the communication unit 221 using the measurement WS 183a.

[0255] In step S126, the biometric data processing device 186a sends the segment sum data generated in step S125 to the display unit 224 to display it.

[0256] In step S131, the biological data processing device 186a acquires all epoch data (hereinafter referred to as Raw data) stored in the storage unit 226 via the communication unit 227 using the fifth designation receiving unit 231 of the analysis WS 184a, and causes the display unit 228 to display a list of epoch data included in this Raw data on the display 506 or the like. The user can visually check the displayed list of epoch data and select epoch data using the keyboard 511 or the like. At this time, the analysis WS 184a excludes epoch data included in abnormal segments.

[0257] In step S132, the analysis WS 184a performs averaging on at least one selected epoch data, thereby obtaining averaging data corresponding to at least one trigger.

[0258] In this way, the analysis WS 184a can obtain the arithmetic mean data required for the process of estimating the action current.

[0259] <Examples of various display screens> Various display screens displayed by the biological data measurement system 181 will be described.

[0260] (Example of the screen for specifying the specified number of times and total number of times added) The predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of times of addition are set using, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 33 displayed on the display.

[0261] Fig. 33 is a diagram illustrating a designation screen for the predetermined number of times, segment width, and total number of additions according to this embodiment. In Fig. 33, switch 233 is set to ON so as to automatically update the number of additions. Since automatic updating is performed, "100 times" is entered in input box 234 as the automatic update interval (update interval number of times) for the number of additions, and "500 times" is entered in input box 235 as the segment width. Input box 236 is used to enter the total number of additions.

[0262] Each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number, the measurement WS 183a updates the predetermined number by adding the update interval number of "100" to the predetermined number. In Fig. 33, since the total number of additions is specified as 4000, the predetermined number is automatically updated to 500, 600, 700, 3700, 3800, and 3900 each time the number of additions reaches a predetermined number.

[0263] An input box 235 is used to specify the segment width. The segment width may be updated at any timing via the input box 235. At this time, the segment addition execution interval may also be changed as needed. Furthermore, if the segment addition execution interval is smaller than the segment width, the initial predetermined number of times may be set to the same value as the segment width.

[0264] <Functions and Effects of Biometric Data Processing Device 186a> As described above, the biological data processing device 186a performs segment averaging processing and displays the biological data measured at multiple sites in a living body in response to multiple trigger signals every time the averaging processing unit 222 of the measurement WS 183a reaches a predetermined number of averaging times. The interval between the predetermined number of averaging times is set independently of the segment width.

[0265] The biometric data processing device 186a can set the interval between predetermined times to be smaller than the segment width, and can check the latest data during measurement earlier than in the fourth embodiment. This allows the biometric data processing device 186a to detect any abnormality that occurs during measurement earlier and take appropriate measures, such as interrupting the measurement or extending the measurement after taking measures.

[0266] When an abnormality occurs, the biological data processing device 186a detects the abnormality earlier and takes measures to ensure the normality of the measurement. Also, it can exclude the epoch data in the section where the abnormality occurs in detail.

[0267] [Sixth embodiment] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the evaluation of the segment sum data was performed on the measurement WS. The most important role of the measurement WS is to record and record the magnetic field data. The measurement WS must check whether the measurement for each segment is being performed correctly, while avoiding adverse effects such as missing magnetic field data by allocating processing resources to display processing, etc.

[0268] The biological data processing device 186b according to this embodiment realizes functions equivalent to those of the fourth embodiment while minimizing the processing performed on the measurement WS 183b by consolidating the display function of segment sum data in the analysis WS 184b. Note that the functional configuration of the measurement WS 183b is the same as that of the measurement WS 183a, the functional configuration of the analysis WS 184b is the same as that of the analysis WS 184a, and the functional configuration of the data storage server 185b is the same as that of the data storage server 185a.

[0269] <Example of operation of the biological data processing device 186b> Next, the operation of the biometric data processing device 186b will be described with reference to FIG.

[0270] First, in step S141, the biological data processing device 186b acquires information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions input by the user using the keyboard 511 or the like, through the averaging processing unit 222 of the measurement WS 183b. Note that the averaging processing unit 222 may acquire information on the predetermined number of times, the segment width, and the total number of additions stored in advance in the HD 504 or the like from the HD 504 or the like.

[0271] Next, in step S142, the biological data processing device 186b receives and stores at least one trigger signal and magnetic field data measured in response to this trigger signal from the measuring device 182 via the communication unit 221 using the averaging processing unit 222.

[0272] Subsequently, in step S143, the biological data processing device 186b counts the received trigger signals using the averaging processing unit 222, acquires the number of additions for each trigger, and determines whether the number of additions has reached a predetermined number.

[0273] If it is determined in step S143 that the limit has been reached (step S143, Yes), the biological data processing device 186b performs arithmetic averaging on the magnetic field data going back by the segment width from the predetermined number of times using the arithmetic averaging processing unit 222. On the other hand, if it is determined that the limit has not been reached (step S143, No), the biological data processing device 186b performs the operation of step S142 again.

[0274] Next, in step S144, the biometric data processing device 186b uses the arithmetic average processing unit 222 to associate the segment addition data, which is the result of the segment addition averaging process, with information on the number of additions in the segment addition data, and transmits the associated data to the data storage server 185b via the communication unit 221. The data storage server 185b stores the received segment addition data in association with the information related to the segment addition. The segment addition data is sent to the display unit 224 and displayed.

[0275] Subsequently, in step S145, the biological data processing device 186b determines whether or not the number of additions has reached the final number of additions (total number of additions) by the measurement control unit 223. Note that this determination may be made by the averaging processing unit 222 instead of the measurement control unit 223.

[0276] If it is determined in step S145 that the predetermined time has not been reached (step S145, No), the biometric data processing device 186b performs the operations from step S142 onwards again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S145 that the predetermined time has been reached (step S145, Yes), the biometric data processing device 186b causes the measurement control unit 223 to cause the measuring device 182 to end measurement.

[0277] In this way, the biological data processing device 186b can execute the averaging process using the measurement WS 183b, and can also control the measurement device 182 in response to an instruction to suspend or extend the measurement.

[0278] Subsequently, in step S146, the biometric data processing device 186b acquires a list of segment addition data stored in the storage unit 226 via the communication unit 227 by the fifth designation receiving unit 231 of the analysis WS 184b.

[0279] Subsequently, in step S147, the biological data processing device 186b causes the display unit 228 to display the list of acquired segment summation data on the display 506 or the like. The user visually checks the displayed list of segment summation data, specifies any segment summation data, and causes the display unit 228 to display waveform data or frequency spectrum or estimation results of the magnetic field data that are the results of applying some analysis processing.

[0280] Subsequently, in step S148, the biometric data processing device 186b checks the segment sum data displayed on the display unit 228 and accepts an instruction from the user who has determined whether or not the data is normal.

[0281] If it is determined in step S148 that the segment is not normal (No in step S148), the biological data processing device 186b records the segment as an abnormal segment in step S149, and issues an instruction to increase the final addition count, i.e., to extend or interrupt the measurement, in step S150. This instruction is sent to the measurement WS 183b via the communication unit 227, and the processing according to the instruction is immediately executed.

[0282] The biometric data processing device 186b repeats the processes of steps S146 to S150 until the final number of additions is reached.

[0283] On the other hand, after it is determined in step S145 that the limit has been reached, in step S151, the biometric data processing device 186b acquires a list of segment addition data stored in the storage unit 226 via the communication unit 227 using the fifth designation receiving unit 231, and causes the display unit 228 to display the acquired list of segment addition data on the display 506 or the like. At this time, the biometric data processing device 186b excludes segment addition data recorded as an abnormal segment.

[0284] Next, in step S152, the biological data processing device 186b performs arithmetic averaging on the selected sum data of at least one segment in accordance with the segment width, thereby obtaining arithmetic average data corresponding to at least one trigger.

[0285] In this way, the biological data processing device 186b can obtain the arithmetic mean data required for the estimation process of the biological action current by the analysis WS 184b.

[0286] <Effects of the Biometric Data Processing Device 186b> As described above, the biological data processing device 186b executes segment averaging processing every time the number of additions of biological data measured in response to multiple trigger signals reaches a predetermined number by the averaging processing unit 222. The biological data processing device 186b stores the segment addition data, which is the processing result, in the storage unit 226 in association with the number of additions in this segment addition data.

[0287] The segment data is then evaluated on the analysis workstation 184b to determine whether the measurement in the corresponding segment was performed normally. After the measurement is completed, the biological data processing device 186b performs arithmetic averaging after excluding segments that the user judged to be abnormal, and obtains arithmetic average data.

[0288] In this way, the biological data processing device 186b can remove abnormal data and obtain average data by displaying, evaluating, and adding the segment sum data on the analysis WS 184b. This allows the biological data processing device 186b to remove data from sections where abnormalities occur and ensure signal quality while minimizing the load on the measurement WS 183b.

[0289] The above-described embodiments are not mutually exclusive.

[0290] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0291] The embodiment also includes a program. For example, the program causes a computer to execute a process of performing arithmetic averaging of biological data measured in response to at least one trigger signal each time the number of arithmetic operations reaches a predetermined number, and storing the arithmetic average data, which is the result of the arithmetic averaging for at least one stimulation site, in association with the arithmetic average data or segment arithmetic data and the number of arithmetic operations for either data in a storage unit, and performing processing based on the biological data using the arithmetic average data for at least one stimulation site acquired by referring to the storage unit based on the specified number of arithmetic operations. Such a program can achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned biological data processing device.

[0292] Furthermore, each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the above-described functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0293] 1, 181 Biological data measurement system 10, 186, 186a, 186b Biometric data processing device 100 Subject (example of living body) 2, 182 Measuring equipment 200 Magnetic Sensor Array 201 Magnetic Sensor 210 Dewar 3, 183, 183a, 183b Measurement WS 31, 187 Communications Department 32, 188 Addition and averaging processing unit 33, 189 Measurement control section 4, 184, 184a, 184b analysis WS 41, 193 Communications Department 42, 195 Estimation unit (an example of a biological data processing unit) 43 First Designation Reception Department 44 Instruction Reception Department 45, 197 Display section 46 Judgment Department 47 Switching section 48 Second Designated Reception Department 49 Third Designation Reception Department 5, 185 data storage server 51, 191 Communications Department 52, 192 Conservation Department 521 additions 522 Average Data 524 Segment Addition Data 525 Information regarding segment additions 526 triggers 527 epoch data 60 Measurement screen 61 Operation screen 62 Measurement data screen 63 Waveform data (example of magnetic field data, example of biological data) 70 Spinal cord position specification screen 80, 90, 150 estimation result display screen 196 4th Designation Reception Department 221 Communications Department 222 Addition and averaging processing unit 223, 232 Measurement control section 224 Display section 225 Communications Department 226 Preservation Department 227 Communications Department 228 Display section 229 Addition and averaging processing unit 230 Estimation Department 231 5th Designation Reception Department [Preliminary Technology Documents] [License]

[0294] [License 1] Patent No. 6555830

Claims

1. an averaging processing unit that performs averaging processing each time the number of additions of biological data measured in response to a trigger signal associated with stimulation of at least one body part reaches a predetermined number; a storage unit that stores arithmetic average data, which is the arithmetic average processing result for at least one stimulation site, in association with the number of times of addition in the arithmetic average data; a biological data processing unit that refers to the storage unit based on the specified number of additions, acquires the arithmetic average data corresponding to the same number of additions for at least one stimulation site, and performs processing based on the biological data using the acquired arithmetic average data.

2. the biological data is magnetic field data generated by a biological body, The biological data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the biological data processing unit performs processing to estimate the strength of an active current at at least one stimulation site in the living body based on the magnetic field data.

3. The biometric data processing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first designation receiving unit that receives a designation of the number of additions.

4. The biometric data processing device according to claim 3 , further comprising a second designation receiving unit that receives designation of the predetermined number of times.

5. a third designation receiving unit that receives a designation of the number of update intervals; 5. The biometric data processing device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined number of times is automatically updated to the number obtained by adding the update interval number accepted by the third designation accepting unit to the predetermined number of times each time the added number of times reaches the predetermined number.

6. The biometric data processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a switching unit that causes the biometric data processing unit to switch processing methods depending on the number of additions.

7. the switching unit switches the processing method only when the number of additions corresponds to a total number of additions; The biometric data processing device according to claim 6, wherein when the number of additions is other than the number of additions corresponding to the total number of additions, the biometric data processing unit performs processing at a higher speed than when the number of additions corresponds to the total number of additions, and when the number of additions is the number of additions corresponding to the total number of additions, performs processing with a higher degree of accuracy than when the number of additions is other than the number of additions corresponding to the total number of additions.

8. A biometric data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A biological data measurement system having a measurement device that measures a living body.

9. 9. The biological data measurement system according to claim 8, further comprising a measurement control unit that controls the interruption or extension of measurement by the measurement device based on a processing result by the biological data processing unit.

10. a display unit that displays the processing result by the biometric data processing unit; an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to either suspend or extend the measurement by the measurement device, The biological data measurement system according to claim 9 , wherein the measurement control unit suspends or extends the measurement by the measurement device in response to the instruction.

11. performing an averaging process each time the number of additions of biological data measured in response to a trigger signal associated with stimulation of at least one body part reaches a predetermined number; A storage unit stores arithmetic average data, which is a result of arithmetic average processing for at least one stimulation site, in association with the number of additions in the arithmetic average data; The storage unit is referenced based on the specified number of additions, and the arithmetic mean data corresponding to the same number of additions is acquired for at least one stimulation site, and processing based on the biological data is performed using the acquired arithmetic mean data. A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

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