Tumor sensing device, tumor sensing system, and tumor sensing method

Abstract

A tumor sensing device 1 according to the present invention comprises: a coil substrate 10 including one or more coils 12; a flexible layer 20 that is disposed on a main surface 11a of the coil substrate 10 and composed of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer 30 that is disposed on the flexible layer 20 and includes a magnetic body, and a measurement unit 40 that measures the inductance of the one or more coils 12.

Description

Tumor sensing device, tumor sensing system, and tumor sensing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a tumor sensing device, a tumor sensing system, and a tumor sensing method.

[0002] Breast cancer screening is performed for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer. In breast cancer screening, the presence or absence of breast cancer is examined using, for example, an ultrasound examination device or an X-ray imaging device as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] JP 2015-131096 A

[0004] The ultrasonic inspection device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of portability.

[0005] The present invention provides a tumor sensing device, a tumor sensing system, and a tumor sensing method with improved portability.

[0006] A tumor sensing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a coil substrate including one or more coils; a flexible layer arranged on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and containing a magnetic substance; and a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils.

[0007] A tumor sensing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a tumor sensing device having a coil substrate including one or more coils, a flexible layer arranged on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material, a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and containing a magnetic substance, a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils, and a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measuring unit, and a processing device that detects a tumor based on the inductance received from the tumor sensing device.

[0008] A tumor sensing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a tumor sensing method using a tumor sensing device, wherein the tumor sensing device comprises: a coil substrate including one or more coils; a flexible layer arranged on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and including a magnetic body; and a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils, and the tumor sensing method includes the steps of: bringing the coil substrate of the tumor sensing device into contact with skin to measure the inductance of the one or more coils; and detecting a tumor based on the change in inductance of the one or more coils being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a tumor sensing device, a tumor sensing system, and a tumor sensing method with improved portability can be provided.

[0010] 1. A schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of a tumor sensing device according to a first embodiment. A flowchart explaining a tumor sensing method using the tumor sensing device 1 of FIG. 1. A schematic diagram showing an example of use of the tumor sensing device 1 of FIG. 1. A schematic diagram showing the tumor sensing device 1 when a lump is present in the breast. A block diagram showing the configuration of a tumor sensing system 100 according to a second embodiment. A graph showing the average and standard deviation of the inductance change rate measured in breast models with and without a lump using the tumor sensing device of Example 1. A table showing the inductance change rate measured in the tumor sensing device of Example 1. A graph showing the average and standard deviation of the inductance change rate measured in breast models with and without a lump using the tumor sensing device of Example 2. A table showing the inductance change rate measured in the tumor sensing device of Example 2.

[0011] (Background to the Invention) For stage I breast cancer that is detected early, the 10-year survival rate is approximately 90%, while stage II to III breast cancer has a higher risk of distant metastasis compared to stage I. It is known that approximately half of stage II to III breast cancers will metastasize to distant sites. For this reason, early detection of breast cancer is desired.

[0012] Breast cancer screening is performed using an ultrasound inspection device or an X-ray imaging device described in Patent Document 1 for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer. Ultrasound inspection devices and X-ray imaging devices are large-sized inspection devices, and users must visit a medical institution to undergo the examination. Furthermore, ultrasound inspection devices and X-ray imaging devices are performed by medical technicians with specialized knowledge. Therefore, it is difficult for users to use ultrasound inspection devices or X-ray imaging devices for breast cancer self-checks. Furthermore, ultrasound devices and X-ray imaging devices are often used for cancer screening other than breast cancer, making it difficult for users to perform self-checks.

[0013] Therefore, the present inventors have investigated devices, systems, and methods with improved portability that allow self-checks for the presence or absence of tumors to be easily performed at home, and have arrived at the following invention.

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, elements are exaggerated for ease of explanation.

[0015] First Embodiment [Tumor Sensing Device] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a tumor sensing device according to a first embodiment.

[0016] The tumor sensing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that is brought into contact with the skin of, for example, the breast to detect the presence or absence of a lump. The tumor sensing device 1 can be used to perform a self-check for the purpose of early tumor detection. Note that, although this embodiment detects the presence or absence of a lump in the breast, the tumor sensing device 1 of the present invention is not limited to detecting lumps in the breast, but can also detect lumps (tumors) in other parts of the human body. Furthermore, "detecting breast cancer," as described below, means detecting the presence of a tumor, including a lump, in the breast.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the tumor sensing device 1 includes a coil substrate 10, a flexible layer 20, a magnetic layer 30, and a measuring unit 40.

[0018] The coil substrate 10 is, for example, a coil substrate in which a coil 12 is formed on a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 11. For example, a spiral coil or a helical coil can be used as the coil 12. The example in FIG. 1 shows an example in which one helical coil is formed on the FPC 11. The number of coils 12 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. By using the FPC 11, the coil substrate 10 can be made flexible. Therefore, as described below, when the tumor sensing device 1 is brought into contact with the breast, the coil substrate 10 bends to conform to the shape of the breast, enabling more accurate tumor sensing.

[0019] The flexible printed circuit board 11 constituting the coil substrate 10 can be formed from a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, silicone, polyurethane (PU), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The thickness of the coil substrate 10 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The elastic modulus of the coil substrate 10 is preferably 1 mPa or less.

[0020] The flexible layer 20 is disposed on the main surface 11a of the coil substrate 10. The flexible layer 20 is made of a flexible, non-magnetic material. Here, "flexible" means that it is elastically deformable, and "non-magnetic" means that it is not ferromagnetic. The flexible layer 20 can be made of a flexible, non-magnetic resin, such as silicone, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymetal methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile styrene (ABS), polyamide (PA), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), phenolic resin (PF), or epoxy resin.

[0021] By constructing the flexible layer 20 from a soft, non-magnetic material, the flexible layer 20 deforms and changes thickness depending on whether or not a lump is present in the breast. As a result, as will be described later, the distance between the coil substrate 10 and the magnetic layer 30 changes, causing the inductance of the coil 12 to change. Based on this change in inductance, the presence or absence of a lump in the breast can be detected. To detect a lump, it is preferable that the elastic modulus of the flexible layer 20 be 2 GPa or less.

[0022] Furthermore, because the flexible layer 20 is made of a soft material, if a lump is present in the breast, it will deform due to the hardness of the lump. Specifically, because a lump is harder than other tissues in the breast, when the tumor sensing device 1 is brought into contact with a breast containing a lump, the portion of the flexible layer 20 facing the lump will deform and become thinner. To improve the accuracy of lump detection, it is preferable that the thickness of the flexible layer 20 be 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0023] The magnetic layer 30 is disposed on the flexible layer 20. The magnetic layer 30 is formed from a material containing a magnetic substance. In this embodiment, the magnetic layer 30 is made of a magnetorheological elastomer. The magnetorheological elastomer is a material in which magnetic particles are dispersed and fixed within an elastomer matrix. Examples of the elastomer matrix include elastic materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, butyl rubber, and polyurethane. The magnetic particles may be any material that has the property of being magnetically polarized by the action of a magnetic field, and examples of the magnetic particles include ferromagnetic materials such as pure iron, carbonyl iron, and ferrite, or powder of a material with high magnetic permeability.

[0024] The inductance of coil 12 changes due to the magnetic field of the magnetic material contained in magnetic layer 30. In tumor sensing device 1, flexible layer 20 is disposed between magnetic layer 30 and coil substrate 10, and when the distance between magnetic layer 30 and coil substrate 10 changes due to a change in the shape of flexible layer 20, the inductance of coil 12 changes. In this embodiment, breast cancer can be detected based on the change in inductance of coil 12.

[0025] If the magnetic layer 30 is made of a magnetorheological elastomer, it can bend to conform to the shape of the breast, just like the coil substrate 10. This allows the entire tumor sensing device 1 to be more closely attached to the breast, enabling more accurate breast cancer sensing.

[0026] The measuring unit 40 is connected to the coil 12 and measures the inductance of the coil 12. The measuring unit 40 is configured, for example, by a circuit that can measure the inductance of the coil 12. For example, an LCR meter can be used as the measuring unit 40.

[0027] The inductance of coil 12 measured by measuring unit 40 is transmitted to detecting unit 50 within tumor sensing device 1 or as an external device to tumor sensing device 1. Detecting unit 50 detects the presence or absence of a mass based on whether the change in inductance measured by measuring unit 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0028] The detection unit 50 is, for example, a circuit that detects tumors such as breast cancer based on changes in inductance measured by the measurement unit 40. The detection unit 50 is not an essential component of the tumor sensing device 1, and may be, for example, an external device that receives the inductance value measured by the measurement unit 40 and detects breast cancer. In this case, the tumor sensing device 1 may include a communication circuit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measurement unit 40 to the external device. In this embodiment, the detection unit 50 can detect breast cancer based on the change in inductance measured by the measurement unit 40 being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0029] [Tumor Sensing Method] A tumor sensing method using the tumor sensing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a tumor sensing method using the tumor sensing device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of use of the tumor sensing device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the tumor sensing device 1 when a lump A2 is present in a breast A1.

[0030] First, in step S1, tumor sensing device 1 is brought into contact with the breast of a subject, and the inductance of the coil is measured by measuring unit 40. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, tumor sensing device 1 is brought into contact with breast A1 of the subject so that coil substrate 10 is in contact with the breast. In step S1, the change in inductance of coil 12 is measured when tumor sensing device 1 is brought into contact with breast A1 and a force is applied toward breast A1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, if a lump A2 is present in breast A1, the flexible layer 20 deforms and becomes thinner. As the flexible layer 20 deforms and becomes thinner, the distance between the magnetic layer 30 and the coil substrate 10 becomes smaller. Specifically, if there is no lump A2, the distance between the magnetic layer 30 and the coil substrate 10 is distance d1, but if there is a lump A2, the distance between the magnetic layer 30 and the coil substrate 10 becomes distance d2. If there is a lump in breast A1, the flexible layer 20 becomes thinner, and distance d2 becomes smaller than distance d1. Therefore, if there is a lump A2, the distance between the magnetic layer 30 and the coil substrate 10 becomes smaller, and the inductance of the coil 12 changes. However, if there is no lump A2, the distance between the magnetic layer 30 and the coil substrate 10 does not change, and the inductance of the coil 12 does not change either.

[0032] Next, in step S2, the detection unit 50 determines whether the change in inductance of the coil 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the change in inductance of the coil 12 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the detection unit 50 detects the presence of breast cancer in step S3. If the change in inductance of the coil 12 is less than the predetermined threshold, the detection unit 50 does not detect breast cancer and the process ends.

[0033] [Effects] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0034] The tumor sensing device 1 is a device for detecting tumors and includes a coil substrate 10, a flexible layer 20, a magnetic layer 30, and a measuring unit 40. The coil substrate 10 has a main surface 11a and includes one or more coils 12. The flexible layer 20 is disposed on the main surface 11a of the coil substrate 10 and is made of a flexible non-magnetic material. The magnetic layer 30 is disposed on the flexible layer 20 and includes a magnetic body. The measuring unit 40 measures the inductance of the coil 12.

[0035] With this configuration, a tumor sensing device with improved portability can be provided. A user can use the tumor sensing device 1 to easily perform self-checks for tumors at home.

[0036] The magnetic layer 30 may be made of a magnetorheological elastomer. With this configuration, the entire tumor sensing device 1 can be placed in close contact with the breast during the examination, improving the user's comfort during the examination.

[0037] The flexible layer 20 may have a thickness of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. This configuration can improve the accuracy of tumor detection.

[0038] Furthermore, the tumor sensing device 1 may include a detection unit 50 that detects a tumor based on the change in inductance measured by the measurement unit 40. With this configuration, the tumor sensing device 1 can detect a tumor by itself.

[0039] The detecting unit 50 may detect a tumor based on whether the change in inductance measured by the measuring unit 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, tumors can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0040] The tumor sensing method using the tumor sensing device 1 includes a step of measuring the inductance of the coil 12 and a step of detecting a tumor. The step of measuring the inductance of the coil 12 involves bringing the coil substrate 10 of the tumor sensing device into contact with the skin and measuring the inductance of the coil 12. The step of detecting a tumor involves detecting a tumor based on whether a change in the inductance of the coil 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0041] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a tumor sensing method with improved portability. Using the tumor sensing device 1, a user can easily test for the presence or absence of a tumor such as a lump at home.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic layer 30 is made of a magnetorheological elastomer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The magnetic layer 30 may be made of any material that contains a magnetic substance, such as an elastomer in which magnetic particles are dispersed.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the coil substrate 10 includes one coil 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of coils may be arranged on the coil substrate 10. Increasing the number of coils can improve the accuracy of tumor detection.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which tumor sensing device 1 includes detection unit 50, but this is not limiting. Detection unit 50 may be a circuit included in an external device that receives the inductance value measured by measurement unit 40 and detects a tumor based on a change in inductance.

[0045] Furthermore, tumor sensing device 1 may include a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by measurement unit 40 to an external device. The communication unit is configured, for example, by a communication circuit, and can communicate between tumor sensing device 1 and the external device via wired or wireless communication.

[0046] Furthermore, the tumor sensing device 1 may transmit the tumor detection result to an external device, for example, via the communication unit described above. In this case, the external device may include an electronic device such as a PC or a smartphone, and the user can check the tumor detection result via this electronic device.

[0047] (Embodiment 2) A tumor sensing system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 2, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In embodiment 2, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in embodiment 1 will be described using the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in embodiment 2, descriptions that overlap with embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0048] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of tumor sensing system 100 according to embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that tumor sensing device 1, together with a detection unit and a notification unit, constitutes tumor sensing system 100. Also, embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that tumor sensing device 1 includes communication unit 60.

[0049] 5 , tumor sensing system 100 includes tumor sensing device 1, processing device 70, and notification unit 73. Notification unit 73 corresponds to the "communication device" of the present invention, and in this embodiment, the function of notification unit 73 is included in processing device 70.

[0050] In this embodiment, tumor sensing device 1 includes coil substrate 10, flexible layer 20, magnetic layer 30, measurement unit 40, and communication unit 60. In Fig. 5, coil substrate 10, flexible layer 20, and magnetic layer 30 are omitted. Furthermore, since coil substrate 10, flexible layer 20, magnetic layer 30, and measurement unit 40 are the same as those described in embodiment 1, their description will be omitted.

[0051] The communication unit 60 is configured with a communication circuit for transmitting the inductance value of the coil 12 measured by the measurement unit 40 to an external device. The communication unit 60 can transmit the measured inductance value of the coil 12 to a processing device 70 in the tumor sensing system 100. The communication unit 60 can transmit the inductance value to the processing device 70 via, for example, wireless or wired communication. Wireless communication includes communication via infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc., and wired communication includes communication using a LAN cable, USB cable, etc.

[0052] The processing device 70 detects breast cancer based on the inductance received from the tumor sensing device 1. The processing device 70 can be configured with various processors or circuits, such as a microcomputer, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or an ASIC. In this embodiment, the processing device 70 is a communicative electronic device, such as a PC or a smartphone, and is integrated with a notification device (notification unit 73). The processing device 70 includes a communication module 71 for receiving the inductance value from the tumor sensing device 1, a detection unit 72 similar to the detection unit 50 described in the first embodiment, and a notification unit 73 for notifying the detection result. The communication module 71 can receive the coil inductance value from the communication unit 60 of the tumor sensing device 1 via, for example, wireless or wired communication. Wireless communication includes communication via infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc., and wired communication includes communication using a LAN cable, USB cable, etc. The processing device 70 can detect the presence of breast cancer when the change in inductance measured by the measuring unit 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The processing device 70 displays the breast cancer detection result on the notification unit 73.

[0053] The notification unit 73 notifies the user whether breast cancer has been detected by the detection unit 72. The notification unit 73 can be configured, for example, by a display or speaker mounted on a PC or smartphone. Alternatively, the notification unit 73 can be configured as a notification device separate from the processing device 70, for notifying the user of the breast cancer detection results. The notification unit 73 can notify the user of the breast cancer detection results by image information or audio information. Note that the notification unit 73 (notification device) is not a required component and does not have to be included in the tumor sensing system.

[0054] [Effects] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0055] The tumor sensing system 100 includes a tumor sensing device 1, a processing device 70, and a notification unit (notification device) 73. The tumor sensing device 1 has a coil substrate 10, a flexible layer 20, a magnetic layer 30, a measurement unit 40, and a communication unit 60. The communication unit 60 transmits the inductance value measured by the measurement unit 40. The processing device 70 detects a tumor based on the inductance received from the tumor sensing device 1. The notification unit (notification device) 73 notifies the processing device 70 of whether or not a tumor has been detected.

[0056] This configuration makes it possible to provide a tumor sensing system 100 with improved portability. For example, by installing the processing device 70 and the notification unit 73 in a mobile terminal such as a user's smartphone, the user can easily self-check for the presence or absence of a tumor at any location, such as at home, thereby improving portability.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the processing device 70 is an electronic device such as a PC or a smartphone, but this is not limiting. For example, the processing device 70 may be a server or the like, and the communication device may be an electronic device such as a PC or a smartphone. In this case, the processing device 70 may receive an inductance value from the tumor sensing device 1 via a network, determine the presence or absence of a tumor, and transmit the result to the communication device.

[0058] (Example) As an example, the tumor sensing device of the first embodiment was used to evaluate the sensing results of a breast model with and without a lump.

[0059] Example 1 The configuration of the tumor sensing device of Example 1 was the same as that described in Embodiment 1. The coil substrate 10 was a square flexible substrate with one coil arranged on it, each 2 cm on a side. The flexible layer 20 was made of silicone, measuring 2 cm in length, 4 cm in width, and 4 mm in thickness. The magnetic layer 30 was made of magnetorheological elastomer, measuring 2 cm in length, 4 cm in width, and 3 mm in thickness. The measuring unit 40 was an LCR meter (LCR700) manufactured by Sanwa Electric Instruments Co., Ltd.

[0060] In the tumor sensing device of Example 2, instead of the magnetorheological elastomer, an iron plate measuring 2 cm in length, 4 cm in width, and 3 mm in thickness was used as the magnetic layer 30. The other configurations were the same as those of Example 1.

[0061] <Breast model> A silicone 5cm long, 5cm wide, and 16mm thick breast model was used as a breast model without a lump. A silicone 5cm long, 5cm wide, and 16mm thick breast model with a 3cm diameter marble sandwiched at a position 8mm thick was used as a breast model with a lump.

[0062] <Evaluation Method> The tumor sensing devices of Examples 1 and 2 were brought into contact with a breast model and pressed against the breast model, and the inductance of the coil was measured five times for each device.

[0063] <Evaluation Results> Fig. 6A is a graph showing the average and standard deviation of the inductance change rate measured in breast models with and without a lump using the tumor sensing device of Example 1. Fig. 6B is a table showing the inductance change rate measured in the tumor sensing device of Example 1. Fig. 7A is a graph showing the average and standard deviation of the inductance change rate measured in breast models with and without a lump using the tumor sensing device of Example 2. Fig. 7B is a table showing the inductance change rate measured in the tumor sensing device of Example 2.

[0064] 6A to 7B, it can be seen that the rate of change in inductance differs greatly between the case where a lump is present and the case where a lump is not present in both Example 1 and Example 2. Since the rate of change in inductance is greater when a lump is present, it can be determined that a lump is present when the rate of change in inductance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0065] It can also be seen that the standard deviation of the rate of change is smaller in Example 1 than in Example 2. This is because the magnetorheological elastomer has a certain degree of flexibility, allowing it to conform to the shape of the breast and adhere closely to the breast, thereby increasing the accuracy of lump detection. On the other hand, Example 2 uses an iron plate, which makes it difficult to conform to the shape of the breast and adhere closely to the breast. As a result, the accuracy of lump detection is lower than in Example 1. Therefore, it is preferable that the magnetic layer be made of a material with a certain degree of flexibility, such as elastomer. In particular, if the magnetic layer is made of a magnetorheological elastomer, the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0066] Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

[0067] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The tumor sensing device of the present invention comprises a coil substrate including one or more coils, a flexible layer arranged on the main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material, a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and including a magnetic body, and a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils.

[0068] (2) In the tumor sensing device of (1), the magnetic layer may be made of an elastomer having magnetic particles dispersed therein.

[0069] (3) In the tumor sensing device of (1), the magnetic layer may be made of a magnetorheological elastomer.

[0070] (4) In the tumor sensing device of any one of (1) to (3), the flexible layer may have a thickness of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0071] (5) The tumor sensing device of any one of (1) to (4) may further include a detection unit that detects a tumor based on a change in inductance measured by the measurement unit.

[0072] (6) In the tumor sensing device of (5), the detection unit may detect a tumor based on the change in inductance measured by the measurement unit being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0073] (7) The tumor sensing device of any one of (1) to (6) may further include a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measurement unit to an external device.

[0074] (8) In the tumor sensing device of any one of (1) to (7), the coil substrate may be made of a biocompatible material.

[0075] (9) In the tumor sensing device of any one of (1) to (8), the tumor may include breast cancer.

[0076] (10) The tumor sensing system of the present invention comprises a tumor sensing device having a coil substrate including one or more coils, a flexible layer arranged on the main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material, a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and containing a magnetic body, a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils, and a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measuring unit, a processing device that detects a tumor based on the inductance received from the tumor sensing device, and a notification device that notifies whether a tumor has been detected by the processing device.

[0077] (11) The tumor sensing system of (10) may further include a notification device that notifies whether or not a tumor has been detected by the processing device.

[0078] (12) The tumor sensing method of the present invention is a tumor sensing method using a tumor sensing device, which comprises a coil substrate including one or more coils, a flexible layer arranged on the main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material, a magnetic layer arranged on the flexible layer and including a magnetic body, and a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils, and the tumor sensing method includes the steps of contacting the coil substrate of the tumor sensing device with the skin to measure the inductance of the one or more coils, and detecting a tumor based on the change in inductance of the one or more coils being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0079] The present invention is useful in tumor sensing.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sensing device 10 coil substrate 11a main surface 12 coil 20 flexible layer 30 magnetic layer 40 measuring section 50 detecting section 60 communication section 70 detecting section 80 notifying section 100 sensing system

Claims

1. A sensing device for detecting a tumor, comprising: a coil substrate including one or more coils; a flexible layer disposed on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer disposed on the flexible layer and including a magnetic material; A measurement unit for measuring an inductance of the one or more coils; Equipped with Tumor sensing device.

2. The magnetic layer is made of an elastomer having magnetic particles dispersed therein. The tumor sensing device of claim 1 .

3. The magnetic layer is made of a magnetorheological elastomer. The tumor sensing device of claim 1 .

4. The flexible layer has a thickness of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. A tumor sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. moreover, a detection unit that detects a tumor based on a change in inductance measured by the measurement unit; Equipped with A tumor sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The detection unit detects a tumor based on a change in inductance measured by the measurement unit being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The tumor sensing device of claim 5 .

7. moreover, a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measurement unit to an external device; Equipped with A tumor sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The coil substrate is made of a biocompatible material. A tumor sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The tumor comprises breast cancer. A tumor sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. a tumor sensing device having: a coil substrate including one or more coils; a flexible layer disposed on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer disposed on the flexible layer and including a magnetic body; a measuring unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils; and a communication unit that transmits the inductance value measured by the measuring unit; a processing device for detecting a tumor based on the inductance received from the tumor sensing device; and Equipped with Tumor sensing system.

11. and a notification device for notifying whether a tumor is detected by the processing device. Equipped with The tumor sensing system of claim 10.

12. A tumor sensing method using a tumor sensing device, comprising: The tumor sensing device comprises: a coil substrate including one or more coils; a flexible layer disposed on a main surface of the coil substrate and made of a flexible non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer disposed on the flexible layer and including a magnetic material; A measurement unit that measures the inductance of the one or more coils, The tumor sensing method includes: contacting the coil substrate of the tumor sensing device with skin to measure the inductance of the one or more coils; detecting a tumor based on a change in inductance of the one or more coils being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; Including, Tumor sensing methods.