Biometric information collection probe

Abstract

To provide a biological information collecting probe which can appropriately receive light transmitted through a site to be measured by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A biological information collecting probe 1 is used for acquiring biological information by collecting light transmitted through a site to be measured includes: a light source part 20, a first light receiving part 31, a second light receiving part 32 which is arranged side by side with the first light receiving part 31 in an arrangement direction in which the light source part 20 and the first light receiving part 31 are disposed side by side; and a housing part 10 which includes an attachment surface 12 and houses at least the light source part 20, the first light receiving part 31, and the second light receiving part 32. The housing part 10 includes a light receiving cover part 14, and the light receiving cover part 14 includes a blocking part 43 which prevents incident light entering a prescribed region of the light receiving cover part 14 from going out from the other region adjacent to the prescribed region in the arrangement direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biological information collection probe suitable for use in collecting biological information. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a biological information collecting device is known that collects biological information by receiving light that is irradiated from a light source and transmitted through a tissue to be measured, with the aim of collecting metabolic information of the tissue, etc. Patent Document 1 also discloses that such a biological information collecting device can be used to directly measure metabolic information of tissue such as the myocardium from the epicardial side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-234737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Among probes that collect biometric information using light such as near-infrared light, there is known a probe configured with a light source unit and two light-receiving units. In such a probe, the light-receiving units are each located at a predetermined distance from the light source unit. Then, the biometric information is calculated based on information about the light received by the light-receiving units.

[0005] When using a probe configured as described above to directly collect biological information from a patient's organ tissue, such as the myocardium, the probe comes into direct contact with the patient's blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes. Therefore, the probe's exterior must be sealed to prevent blood and other liquids from penetrating into the interior. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of electrical safety, the exterior must have a predetermined insulating property. That is, the exterior must have a portion that transmits light required for measurement, while the entire exterior, including the light-transmitting portion, must be made of a material with a predetermined insulating strength. That is, the entire probe exterior must be made of an insulating, light-blocking material that prevents the influence of light from outside, while the portions corresponding to the light source and light-receiving portion must be provided with a light-transmitting, insulating cover.

[0006] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned insulating cover that transmits light is placed on the portion corresponding to the light receiving unit, there is a problem that a part of the incident light is scattered inside the cover, hindering accurate measurement. Specifically, there is a problem that a part of the light incident on the light receiving unit is scattered inside the cover by refraction or reflection, and has an undesirable effect on the collection of biological information as stray light. In other words, there is a problem that the light receiving unit receives unnecessary light due to stray light, making it difficult to obtain accurate biological information. As a method for measuring biological information using light such as near-infrared light, the method (spatial resolution method) disclosed in Patent No. 5062698 enables highly accurate measurements, but stray light is a particular problem with this type of measurement method. In the spatial resolution method, optical property values ​​are calculated from the spatial difference in light intensity, and the smaller the difference, the smaller the calculated absorption coefficient. This is because stray light due to multiple reflections reduces the difference in light intensity, adversely affecting the quantitative performance of the spatial resolution method.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a biological information collection probe that has a simple configuration and is capable of collecting accurate biological information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides the following means. The biometric information collection probe disclosed herein is a biometric information collection probe used to collect light that has passed through a measurement target area to obtain biometric information, and comprises: a light source unit that irradiates light toward the measurement target area; a first light receiving unit that is positioned a predetermined distance from the light source unit; a second light receiving unit that is positioned alongside the first light receiving unit in an arrangement direction in which the light source unit and the first light receiving unit are aligned; and a mounting surface that faces the measurement target area when collecting the biometric information.The probe also comprises a housing unit that houses at least the light source unit, the first light receiving unit, and the second light receiving unit, and the housing unit is positioned at a position corresponding to the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit on the mounting surface, and comprises a light receiving cover unit that transmits at least a portion of the light from the side of the measurement target area, and the light receiving cover unit has an inhibitor unit that prevents light that has entered a predetermined area of ​​the light receiving cover unit from transmitting to other areas adjacent to the predetermined area in the arrangement direction.

[0009] According to the above-described biological information collecting probe, an inhibitor is provided on the light-receiving cover disposed at a position corresponding to the first light-receiving unit and the second light-receiving unit on the attachment surface. This inhibitor inhibits light incident on a predetermined area of ​​the light-receiving cover from transmitting to other areas adjacent in the arrangement direction. This reduces the influence of stray light on the light-receiving cover, allowing the first light-receiving unit and the second light-receiving unit to properly receive light from their corresponding locations.

[0010] In the above disclosure, it is preferable that the inhibition portion is composed of a plurality of light transmission inhibition layers that prevent light from passing through, and that each of the light transmission inhibition layers extends between the surface on the mounting surface side of the light receiving cover portion and the back surface opposite the surface in a direction intersecting with the surface and the back surface, and also extends side by side in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction.

[0011] This prevents light incident on a predetermined area of ​​the light-receiving cover from being transmitted to other areas adjacent to the light-receiving cover in the arrangement direction, allowing the first light-receiving unit and the second light-receiving unit to more appropriately receive light from their corresponding locations.

[0012] In the above disclosure, the light transmission-inhibiting layer is preferably made of a light-blocking material. By doing so, light that is incident on a predetermined region of the light-receiving cover and that is refracted or scattered and heads toward other regions adjacent in the arrangement direction is blocked by the light-transmission-blocking layer. This prevents light that is incident on the predetermined region of the light-receiving cover from transmitting to other regions adjacent in the arrangement direction, allowing the first light-receiving unit and the second light-receiving unit to properly receive light from their corresponding locations.

[0013] In the above disclosure, it is preferable that the light receiving cover portion is made of an insulating material having a predetermined insulating performance. By doing so, it is possible to provide a biological information collection probe with electrical safety ensured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The above-described biological information collection probe has an effect of providing a biological information collection probe with a simple configuration that can appropriately receive light that has passed through a measurement target site. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] Fig. 1(a) is an external view of the biological information probe as seen from the side opposite to the attachment surface, and Fig. 1(b) is an external view of the biological information probe as seen from the attachment surface side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mounting surface of a biological information probe. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a biological information probe. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a biological information probe. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a conventional light receiving cover portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the results of the test. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the exterior of the biological information probe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An example of a biological information collection probe according to this disclosure will be described with reference mainly to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions shown in the figures unless otherwise specified.

[0017] Arrows and diagonal lines indicating directions in each figure are provided to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the figures and the shapes of each component or part. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the directions indicated in each figure. Also, diagonal lines do not necessarily indicate cross-sectional views.

[0018] 1.Configuration Description A biological information collecting probe 1 according to an example of the present disclosure irradiates a measurement target portion of a living body with near-infrared light, receives light that has passed through the measurement target portion, and outputs a signal used to calculate biological information. Specifically, the biological information collecting probe 1 is a probe used to measure the tissue oxygen saturation of the measurement target portion of a patient. The signal output from the biological information collecting probe 1 is input to a biological information collecting device (not shown) and used to calculate the tissue oxygen saturation of the measurement target portion. Note that the biological information collecting probe 1 may also be used to measure the oxygen saturation of tissues in animals or other tissues.

[0019] The biological information collection probe 1 mainly comprises a housing 10, a light source 20, and an optical information acquisition unit 30. The housing 10 is a roughly rectangular exterior that houses the light source 20, the optical information acquisition unit 30, and a battery and other components (not shown) inside (see FIG. 1(a)). Hereinafter, the side of the housing 10 that houses components such as the light source 20 and the optical information acquisition unit 30 will be referred to as the "inside," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "outside."

[0020] The housing 10 is mainly made of a non-conductive material with a predetermined insulating property, such as polycarbonate, that is a light-blocking material that does not transmit light. The surface of the housing 10 that faces the measurement target area when measuring biological information is the wearing surface 12 (see FIG. 1(b)). The housing 10 is sealed to prevent liquids such as blood and bodily fluids from penetrating inside.

[0021] The light source unit 20 is a part that irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength used for measurement (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). Note that in Fig. 3, the proportions and intervals are different from the actual proportions and intervals for the sake of explanation. The same applies to the subsequent Figs. 4, 5, etc.

[0022] The optical information acquiring unit 30 is a part that mainly receives light that has passed through the measurement target area and outputs optical information, which is a signal used to measure biological information (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this embodiment, the optical information from the optical information acquiring unit 30 is transmitted to a biological information collecting device (not shown) by a wireless signal conforming to a predetermined standard. Note that the optical information may also be transmitted to the biological information collecting device by wire or other means.

[0023] The light source unit 20 and the optical information acquisition unit 30 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other on the mounting surface 12 side of the substrate 16. A light-shielding member 15 is provided between the light source unit 20 and the optical information acquisition unit 30 to prevent the light emitted from the light source unit 20 from directly entering the optical information acquisition unit 30 (see FIG. 3).

[0024] The light source unit 20 includes an LED 21 that emits near-infrared light. The LED 21 is arranged such that a light-emitting surface 22 that emits light faces the wearing surface 12. The optical information acquisition unit 30 has a light-receiving unit 31 and a light-receiving unit 32 arranged on the wearing surface 12 side (see FIG. 3).

[0025] The light receiving unit 31 is a photodiode that outputs an electrical signal in response to light incident on its light receiving surface 33. The light receiving unit 32 is a photodiode that outputs an electrical signal in response to light incident on its light receiving surface 34. In other words, the light receiving units 31 and 32 are light receiving elements that output a signal in response to the received light. The light receiving units 31 and 32 may be other elements or components that output a signal in response to the received light.

[0026] The light receiving unit 31 is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the LED 21. The light receiving unit 32 is disposed next to the light receiving unit 31 with a predetermined gap therebetween. More specifically, the light receiving unit 32 is disposed next to the light receiving unit 31 in the direction in which the light receiving unit 31 and the LED 21 are arranged. Hereinafter, the direction in which the light receiving unit 31 and the LED 21 are arranged, i.e., the direction in which the light receiving unit 31 and the light source unit 20 are arranged, will also be referred to as the "arrangement direction" (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0027] In other words, the optical information acquisition unit 30 is arranged such that the light receiving unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are aligned on the same line as the LED 21, and a predetermined distance is maintained between the LED 21 and the light receiving unit 31, and between the LED 21 and the light receiving unit 32, and is fixed to the substrate 16. In this embodiment, the light receiving unit 32 is arranged closer to the LED 21 than the light receiving unit 31, but it may also be arranged farther from the LED 21 than the light receiving unit 31.

[0028] A light source cover portion 13 is provided on the mounting surface 12 in a portion corresponding to the light source portion 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The light source cover portion 13 is a substantially rectangular plate material with a predetermined thickness, and is arranged on the mounting surface 12 in a portion corresponding to the light source portion 20 so as to cover at least the light-emitting surface 22 of the LED 21, and is fixed to the mounting surface 12. In this embodiment, a substantially rectangular hole having a size corresponding to the light source portion 20 is provided on the mounting surface 12 in a portion corresponding to the light source portion 20, and the light source cover portion 13 is fitted into the hole and fixed. The light source cover portion 13 may be fixed to the mounting surface 12 by other means, or may be provided on the mounting surface 12 itself.

[0029] The light source cover 13 is made of an insulating material that transmits the light emitted from the LED 21 and has a predetermined insulating property. In this embodiment, the light source cover 13 is a transparent polycarbonate plate with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. Note that other materials may be used for the light source cover 13 as long as they transmit the light used for measurement and have a predetermined insulating property, and the material, thickness, and shape of the light source cover 13 are not limited to those described above.

[0030] A light-receiving cover 14 is provided on the mounting surface 12 in a portion corresponding to the optical information acquisition unit 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The light-receiving cover 14 is a thin, rectangular plate made of an insulating material. The light-receiving cover 14 is disposed in an area of ​​the mounting surface 12 corresponding to the light-receiving units 31 and 32 of the optical information acquisition unit 30, covering at least the light-receiving surfaces 33 and 34 of the light-receiving units 31 and 32. The light-receiving cover 14 is made of a plate having a certain thickness or greater to ensure a predetermined level of insulation. In this embodiment, the light-receiving cover 14 is made of a plate having a thickness of 0.4 mm or greater. Specifically, a plate having a thickness of approximately 0.423 mm is used. However, the thickness of the light-receiving cover 14 is not limited to the above, as long as the predetermined level of insulation can be ensured.

[0031] In this embodiment, a rectangular hole of a size corresponding to the optical information acquisition unit 30 is provided in a portion of the mounting surface 12 corresponding to the optical information acquisition unit 30, and the light-receiving cover unit 14 is fitted into and fixed to the mounting surface 12. The light-receiving cover unit 14 may be fixed to the mounting surface 12 by other means or may be provided on the mounting surface 12.

[0032] The light-receiving cover 14 includes a plurality of thin-plate-shaped light-transmitting portions 42 that transmit light, and an inhibiting portion 43 that inhibits stray light generated by scattering of light inside the light-receiving cover 14. The inhibiting portions 43 are made up of a plurality of light-transmission inhibiting layers 41 that inhibit the transmission of light, and the light-transmission inhibiting layers 41 are arranged in the form of slits between each of the light-transmitting portions 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0033] More specifically, the light-transmitting portions 42 are made of a thin plate-like material that transmits light, and each has the shape of a long, narrow rectangle of approximately the same size. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting portions 42 are made of a transparent polycarbonate material. The light-transmitting portions 42 may also be made of other materials that transmit the light used for measurement. The light-transmitting portions 42 are arranged in the same direction as the arrangement direction, with their longitudinal sides adjacent to each other.

[0034] The light-transmission-blocking layer 41 is a thin film that blocks the transmission of light, and is disposed between the light-transmitting portions 42 in a direction that intersects with the surface on the mounting surface 12 side of the light-receiving cover 14 and the inner back surface. The light-transmission-blocking layer 41 also extends in the longitudinal direction of the light-transmitting portions 42, i.e., in a direction that intersects with the arrangement direction. In other words, the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 is disposed between the light-transmitting portions 42, and extends in the form of slits in a direction that intersects with the arrangement direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0035] In other words, the light-receiving cover 14 is disposed on the mounting surface 12 so that the direction in which the light-transmitting portions 42 are arranged is the same as the arrangement direction. That is, the light-receiving cover 14 is disposed so that the direction in which the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 extends is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

[0036] In this embodiment, the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 is a silicon material processed into a thin film. The light-transmission-blocking layer 41 may be a thin film made of a different material as long as it blocks light incident on a given light-transmitting portion 42 from transmitting to another adjacent light-transmitting portion 42.

[0037] When the light-transmission-inhibiting layer 41 is disposed between the light-transmitting portions 42 in this manner, light incident on the light-transmitting portion 42 on one side of the light-transmitting layer 41 is prevented from transmitting to the light-transmitting portion 42 on the opposite side. In other words, light incident on the surface of the light-transmitting portion 42 on one side of the light-transmitting layer 41 is prevented from transmitting to the light-transmitting portion 42 disposed on the opposite side and emitting from the back surface thereof.

[0038] 2. Explanation of action Next, the operation of the biological information collection probe 1 configured as above will be explained according to how to use it.

[0039] To perform a measurement, the user places the biological information collection probe 1 on the surface of the area to be measured. Specifically, the biological information collection probe 1 is placed so that the attachment surface 12 contacts the surface of the patient's tissue where the measurement is to be performed. Hereinafter, the surface of the area to be measured that the attachment surface 12 contacts will also be referred to as the "attachment site."

[0040] When measurement begins, light source unit 20 irradiates near-infrared light under the control of a biological information collection device (not shown). Specifically, LED 21 emits light and irradiates near-infrared light of a predetermined wavelength toward the area where the device is attached. Light from light-emitting surface 22 of LED 21 passes through light source cover unit 13 and is irradiated from the area where the device is attached toward the area to be measured.

[0041] Light that has passed through the measurement site passes from the attachment site through the light-receiving cover unit 14 and is incident on the light-receiving units 31 and 32, respectively. Specifically, light that has passed through the measurement site and passed through a portion of the attachment site corresponding to the light-receiving unit 31 is incident on the light-receiving surface 33 of the light-receiving unit 31. Furthermore, light that has passed through a portion of the attachment site corresponding to the light-receiving unit 32 is incident on the light-receiving surface 34 of the light-receiving unit 32. Hereinafter, the direction of light that travels from the attachment site at positions corresponding to the light-receiving units 31 and 32 toward the light-receiving surfaces 33 and 34, approximately perpendicular to the surface of the light-receiving cover unit 14, is also referred to as the "light-receiving direction."

[0042] Meanwhile, light that has passed through other parts of the attachment site is also incident on the light-receiving cover unit 14 toward the light-receiving units 31 and 32. That is, light in a direction different from the light-receiving direction is also incident on the light-receiving cover unit 14. When some of this light is incident on the light-receiving cover unit 14, it is scattered inside the light-receiving cover unit 14 by refraction or reflection. Furthermore, depending on the contact status between the attachment site and the attachment surface 12, light in the light-receiving direction may also be refracted by the light-receiving cover unit 14 and scattered inside the light-receiving cover unit 14. For example, if blood, bodily fluid, or the like is sandwiched between the attachment site and the light-receiving cover unit 14, light in the light-receiving direction from the attachment site at positions corresponding to the light-receiving units 31 and 32 may also be refracted or scattered by the light-receiving cover unit 14.

[0043] If a normal transparent material were used for the light-receiving cover 14, stray light scattering inside the light-receiving cover 14 would prevent accurate collection of biometric information. Specifically, light incident on the light-receiving cover 14 in a direction different from the light-receiving direction, or light refracted by the light-receiving cover 14 due to the contact state between the wearing site and the light-receiving cover 14, would be scattered inside the light-receiving cover 14 and become stray light. This stray light would adversely affect the collection of optical information by the optical information acquisition unit 30 (see FIG. 5). In other words, the stray light generated as described above would cause light that should not be incident to be incident on the light-receiving surfaces 33 and 34, making it difficult for the light-receiving units 31 and 32 to properly receive light from the corresponding wearing sites.

[0044] In the biological information collecting probe 1 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned stray light is blocked by the inhibitor 43. To specifically explain the light receiving unit 32 as an example with reference to FIG. 4, of the light incident on a specific light transmitting unit 42b, the light in the light receiving direction passes through the light transmitting unit 42b as is and is incident on the light receiving surface 34.

[0045] On the other hand, light that enters the light-transmitting portion 42b in a direction different from the light-receiving direction or light that is refracted when entering the light-transmitting portion 42b is blocked by the light-transmission-inhibiting layers 41a and 41b on both sides of the light-transmitting portion 42b. That is, stray light generated when entering the light-transmitting portion 42b is prevented from transmitting to the light-transmitting portion 42a or light-transmitting portion 42c adjacent to the light-transmitting portion 42b and from exiting from the respective inner surfaces. In other words, the light-transmission-inhibiting layer 41 prevents light that enters a specific light-transmitting portion 42 from transmitting to other light-transmitting portions 42 that are adjacent regions.

[0046] As a result, stray light scattered inside the light receiving cover portion 14 is prevented from entering the light receiving surface 33 or the light receiving surface 34, and light that has passed through the area to be measured can be accurately received, enabling accurate measurement of tissue oxygen saturation.

[0047] 3. Explanation of test results Hereinafter, we will explain the results of a performance comparison test between the biological information collecting probe 1 of this embodiment and a probe in which the optical information acquisition unit 30 is covered with a cover made of a normal light-transmitting material that does not have the inhibitory unit 43. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned probe that is compared to the biological information collecting probe 1 will also be referred to as the "conventional probe."

[0048] In this test, measurements were taken of a phantom multiple times using biometric information collection probe 1 and a conventional probe, and the variability of the measurements was compared. Biometric information collection probe 1 was used with five different probes, with each probe measuring five times. The conventional probe was used with a single probe, and five measurements were taken.

[0049] The measurement results are shown in Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b). As shown in Figure 6(a), the conventional probe exhibited large fluctuations in its measurements. Specifically, there were multiple measurements in which the measured values ​​were 5 to 10% lower than the ideal values.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(b), the biological information collecting probe 1 showed stable measurement values ​​in all measurements. In other words, while conventional probes were unable to stably obtain appropriate measurement values, the biological information collecting probe 1 obtained stable measurement values ​​in all cases.

[0051] For this reason, it is believed that conventional probes are unable to properly receive light from the measurement target site due to the influence of stray light. On the other hand, in the biological information collection probe 1, the influence of such stray light is blocked by the blocking section 43, i.e., the light transmission blocking layer 41, so that light from the measurement target site is properly received and accurate measurement can be performed stably.

[0052] 4. Explanation of the effects According to the above-described biological information collecting probe 1, the inhibitor 43 provided on the light-receiving cover 14 prevents light incident on a predetermined region of the light-receiving cover 14 from transmitting to other adjacent regions in the arrangement direction. For example, light that is irradiated from a mounting portion located at a position corresponding to the light-receiving portion 31 and is intended to enter the light-receiving portion 31 is prevented from being scattered inside the light-receiving cover 14 and entering the light-receiving portion 32 as stray light. Alternatively, light that is irradiated from a mounting portion located at a position corresponding to the light-receiving portion 32 and is intended to enter the light-receiving portion 32 is prevented from being scattered inside the light-receiving cover 14 and entering the light-receiving portion 31 as stray light. This allows light from the measurement target portion to be accurately received, enabling accurate collection of biological information.

[0053] The effects of stray light can also be prevented by providing a light-shielding plate made of a light-shielding material between the light-receiving units 31 and 32. However, providing such a light-shielding plate between the light-receiving units 31 and 32 complicates the configuration of the biological information collection probe 1 and makes it difficult to miniaturize the probe. On the other hand, in the biological information collection probe 1 of this embodiment, the inhibitor 43 is provided inside the light-receiving cover 14, so the configuration is simple and it is easy to miniaturize. Furthermore, even if the distance between the light-receiving units 31 and 32 is narrow and it is difficult to provide a light-shielding plate therebetween, the inhibitor 43 of the light-receiving cover 14 can prevent the effects of stray light.

[0054] Furthermore, the housing 10 is made of an insulating, non-conductive material and is sealed to prevent liquids from penetrating inside. Therefore, even if the biological information collection probe 1 is used in surgery, for example, blood or bodily fluids are prevented from penetrating inside, preventing breakdowns and malfunctions. Furthermore, the biological information collection probe 1 can be used in a state where electrical safety for the patient is ensured.

[0055] Furthermore, the inhibition section 43 is composed of a plurality of light transmission inhibition layers 41 arranged in parallel. Therefore, light from the attachment positions corresponding to the light receiving sections 31 and 32 is accurately incident on the light receiving surfaces 33 and 34, respectively. In other words, the light receiving sections 31 and 32 can accurately receive light from the corresponding attachment positions, allowing the biological information collection probe 1 to accurately collect biological information. Furthermore, because the light transmission inhibition layer 41 is a thin-film plate material, it can effectively prevent the effects of stray light even when the distance between the light receiving sections 31 and 32 is narrow.

[0056] Furthermore, the light transmission inhibiting layer 41 is made of a light-blocking material. This further reduces the influence of stray light inside the light-receiving cover 14, and light from the attachment positions corresponding to the light-receiving units 31 and 32 is more accurately incident on the light-receiving surfaces 33 and 34. This allows the light-receiving units 31 and 32 to accurately receive light from the corresponding attachment positions, enabling the biological information collecting probe 1 to accurately collect biological information.

[0057] Furthermore, the light-receiving cover 14 is made of an insulating material with a predetermined insulating performance. That is, the biological information collection probe 1 satisfies predetermined electrical safety requirements, and electrical safety for the patient can be ensured even when used to measure biological information during surgery, etc.

[0058] <Modification> A modified example of this embodiment will be described below. The biological information collection probe 1A of this modified example differs from the above embodiment in the shape of the housing 10. The following mainly describes the parts that differ from the above embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0059] The biological information collection probe 1A of this modified example is fixed to the tip of an instrument such as forceps during endoscopic surgery and is used, for example, to measure tissue oxygen saturation of tissue inside the abdominal cavity. The housing 10A of this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 7. A portion of the cylindrical side surface of the housing 10A is formed flat. This flat portion is the attachment surface 12A. On the attachment surface 12A, a light receiving cover 14 and a light source cover 13 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10A.

[0060] The housing 10A of this embodiment is formed so that the diameter of its cylindrical shape is smaller than the inner diameter of a trocar used in endoscopic surgery. One end of the housing 10A is provided with a mounting hole 17A into which the tip of an instrument 50, such as forceps, is inserted and fixed. That is, the biological information collection probe 1A is configured to be fixed to the tip of an instrument 50, such as forceps, and inserted into the body via the trocar, and can be used to collect biological information about tissues within the body.

[0061] With the biometric information collection probe 1A configured as described above, it is possible to collect biological information about tissues such as organs inside the body using the biometric information collection probe 1A, for example, during endoscopic surgery, without making additional incisions, etc.

[0062] While the above embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which multiple light-transmission-blocking layers 41 are provided in the light-receiving cover unit 14 in the form of slits, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which only one light-transmission-blocking layer 41 is provided in a position corresponding to the light-receiving unit 31 and the light-receiving unit 32 may be adopted. This simple configuration can prevent a portion of the light from the attachment portion corresponding to the light-receiving unit 31 from entering the light-receiving unit 32 as stray light, or prevent a portion of the light from the attachment portion corresponding to the light-receiving unit 32 from entering the light-receiving unit 31 as stray light.

[0063] Alternatively, the light-receiving cover 14 may be provided with a plurality of light-transmission-blocking layers 41 arranged in a grid pattern. In this way, only light in the light-receiving direction from the attachment position corresponding to the light-receiving unit 31 is incident on the light-receiving surface 33, and only light in the light-receiving direction from the attachment position corresponding to the light-receiving unit 32 is incident on the light-receiving surface 34. In this way, it becomes possible to collect more accurate optical information about the measurement target area.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 has been described as having light-blocking properties, but the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 is not limited to the above as long as it transmits light from one side to the other side. For example, the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 may be configured to have the ability to totally reflect light incident from one side. For example, the light-transmission-blocking layer 41 may be a thin-film portion made of a material having such properties.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-receiving cover 14 is described as being composed of a light-transmission-blocking layer 41 and a light-transmitting portion 42, but the configuration of the light-receiving cover 14 is not limited to this. For example, each side surface on the side in the arrangement direction of the light-transmitting portion 42 may be processed so that light passing through the inside is blocked at that side surface. The light-transmitting portions 42 processed in this manner may then be arranged side by side to form the light-receiving cover 14. Alternatively, the light-receiving cover 14 may be made of a plate material that transmits a predetermined amount of light, and the plate material may have multiple narrow slit-shaped grooves formed therein, and the grooves may be processed to block light transmission.

[0066] In addition to the above examples, the light-transmission-blocking layer may be a layer of material with different optical properties (refractive index or absorption coefficient). The light-receiving cover 14 may be made of a material that uses such a light-transmission-blocking layer and is configured to transmit light in a predetermined direction to the light-receiving surface. An example of such a material is an FOP (fiber optic plate), an optical device made of a bundle of optical fibers of several micrometers. The light-receiving cover 14 may be made of a material such as this FOP. As in this example, the term "light-transmission-blocking layer" also includes "layers with different optical properties (refractive index or absorption coefficient)."

[0067] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated configurations or configurations described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1,1A...Biometric information collection probe 10,10A...Housing 12, 12A... Mounting surface 13... Light-emitting cover portion 14... Light-receiving cover portion 15...light blocking member 16...board 17A...mounting hole 20...light source unit 21...LED 22...light emitting surface 30...Optical information acquisition section 31,32...Light receiving section 33,34...Light receiving surface 41, 41a, 41b...light transmission inhibiting layer 42, 42a, 42b, 42c...light transmitting portion 43...inhibiting portion

Claims

1. A biological information collection probe used to collect light transmitted through a measurement target site to acquire biological information, a light source unit that irradiates light toward the measurement target portion; a first light receiving unit disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the light source unit; a second light receiving unit arranged adjacent to the first light receiving unit in an arrangement direction in which the light source unit and the first light receiving unit are arranged; a mounting surface that faces the measurement target site when collecting the biological information; and a housing that houses at least the light source unit, the first light receiving unit, and the second light receiving unit; The housing part is a light receiving cover portion that is disposed at a position corresponding to the first light receiving portion and the second light receiving portion on the attachment surface, covers the first light receiving portion and the second light receiving portion, and transmits at least a part of light from the side of the measurement target portion; The light receiving cover portion is an obstructing portion that prevents light incident on a predetermined region of the light receiving cover portion from transmitting to another region adjacent to the predetermined region in the arrangement direction; Biometric information collection probe.

2. The inhibition portion is It is composed of multiple light transmission inhibiting layers that prevent light from passing through. Each of the light transmission-blocking layers extends between a surface on the mounting surface side of the light receiving cover portion and a back surface opposite to the surface in a direction intersecting the surface and the back surface, and extends side by side in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction. The biological information collection probe according to claim 1 .

3. The light transmission-inhibiting layer is made of a light-blocking material. The biological information collection probe according to claim 2 .

4. 4. The biological information collection probe according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving cover is made of an insulating material having a predetermined insulating property.

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