Animal biological information measurement device, animal biological information measurement system, and animal biological information measurement method

Abstract

Provided is an animal biological information measurement device that allows an electrode to be placed at a desired position on the body of an animal. Provided is an animal biological information measurement system comprising the animal biological information measurement device. Provided is an animal biological information measurement method using the animal biological information measurement system.　An animal biological information measurement device (1) comprises: a substrate (2); an electrode (3) that is provided on the substrate (2) and is used for acquisition of biological information of an animal in contact with the electrode (3); and a grip member (4) that is connected to the substrate (2) and grips hair of the animal.

Description

Animal biological information measuring device, animal biological information measuring system, and animal biological information measuring method

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal biological information measuring device, an animal biological information measuring system, and an animal biological information measuring method.

[0002] In recent years, clothing worn by humans to measure biometric information has attracted attention in the fields of health monitoring, medicine, nursing care, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, there has been a need in recent years to measure the biometric information of quadrupedal animals, such as dogs, cats, and cows, kept as pets or livestock, in order to understand their health conditions. In response to this need, the present inventors proposed in Patent Document 1 a garment for measuring biometric information in which body-contacting electrodes are located on the back side of the animal's chest. Furthermore, the present inventors proposed in Patent Document 2 a garment for measuring biometric information for animals that has body-contacting electrodes, in which the longitudinal tensile elongation and the lateral tensile elongation of the front and / or back body of the garment are controlled within predetermined ranges.

[0003] International Publication No. WO 2019 / 035420 International Publication No. WO 2020 / 261943

[0004] In order to measure biometric information with high accuracy, it may be necessary to adjust the placement of electrodes depending on the body size and species of the animal. Furthermore, even if animals are of the same species and have similar body sizes, there are individual differences in the position and orientation of the heart. Therefore, for example, in order to accurately measure an animal's electrocardiogram, it may be necessary to adjust the placement of electrodes. To make such adjustments, it is necessary to further improve the degree of freedom in the placement of electrodes for measuring biometric information.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an animal bioinformation measuring device that allows electrodes to be placed at any position on the animal's body. Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal bioinformation measuring system that includes the animal bioinformation measuring device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal bioinformation measuring method that uses the animal bioinformation measuring system.

[0006] The present invention is as follows. [1] An animal bioinformation measuring device comprising: a substrate; electrodes provided on the substrate, the electrodes being used to acquire bioinformation of an animal in contact with the electrodes; and a clamping member connected to the substrate and configured to clamp the animal's hair. [2] The animal bioinformation measuring device described in [1], wherein the clamping member includes a plurality of comb teeth used to clamp the animal's hair. [3] The animal bioinformation measuring device described in [2], wherein the clamping member includes a pressing member used to clamp the animal's hair, and the clamping member clamps the animal's hair by bringing the plurality of comb teeth and the pressing member into close proximity. [4] The animal bioinformation measuring device described in any one of [1] to [3], further comprising an electrical connection member provided on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the electrodes, the electrical connection member being connected to a detachable electronic unit, the electrical connection member being disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the electrodes are formed. [5] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the electrode is strip-shaped. [6] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the base material has a folded structure in which a region of the base material including a portion where the clamping member is connected is folded back to overlap the base material, and at least a portion of the electrode is provided on the side of the folded structure that comes into contact with the animal's body. [7] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to [6], wherein the clamping member includes a plurality of comb teeth used to clamp the animal's body hair, and at least a portion of the electrode is provided on a portion of the folded structure that faces the plurality of comb teeth. [8] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to any one of [2] to [7], wherein the tips of the plurality of comb teeth are rounded. [9] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to any one of [2] to [8], wherein the tips of adjacent comb teeth among the plurality of comb teeth are connected, and the connecting portion between the tips is curved.

[10] An animal bioinformation measuring device described in any one of [2] to [9], wherein the tips of the plurality of comb teeth of the clamping member extend in a direction away from the animal's body surface when the animal's body hair is clamped by the clamping member.

[11] The animal bio-information measuring device described in any of [3] to

[10] , wherein the clamping member further includes a plate-shaped member having one end and the other end in a first direction, one end and the other end in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a first main surface, and a second main surface, wherein the plurality of comb teeth are arranged side by side on the plate-shaped member so as to extend in the second direction, and the plate-shaped member is deformable between a first curved form and a second curved form, wherein in the first form, the first main surface is on the inside and the plate-shaped member is curved so that the one end and the other end in the first direction approach each other, and in the second form, the plate-shaped member is curved so that the second main surface is on the inside and the one end and the other end in the first direction approach each other, and the plurality of comb teeth approach each other to the pressing member by transforming the plate-shaped member from the first form to the second form.

[12] The animal bioinformation measuring device described in

[11] , wherein the spacing between the tips of the plurality of comb teeth narrows when the plate-shaped member is transformed from the first form to the second form.

[13] The animal bioinformation measuring device described in any of [1] to

[12] , wherein the base material includes a cushioning member in an area where the portion of the electrode that contacts the body of the animal is provided.

[14] An animal bioinformation measuring system comprising the animal bioinformation measuring device described in any of [1] to

[13] and animal clothing worn by the animal.

[15] An animal bioinformation measuring method using the animal bioinformation measuring system described in

[14] , comprising: clamping the animal's body hair with the clamping member to bring the electrodes into contact with the animal's body; having the animal wear the animal clothing so as to cover the animal bioinformation measuring device; and measuring the animal's bioinformation via the electrodes.

[0007] The animal bioinformation measuring device according to the present invention includes a base material provided with electrodes used to acquire bioinformation from an animal, and a clamping member that clamps the animal's hair. By clamping the animal's hair between the clamping member, the electrodes can be positioned at any position on the animal's body. As a result, the degree of freedom in electrode placement is increased, enabling accurate measurement of bioinformation. Furthermore, by clamping the animal's hair between the clamping member, the electrodes can be brought into contact with the animal's body surface, eliminating the need to shave the animal's hair to position the electrodes. Furthermore, the animal bioinformation measuring device according to the present invention can also achieve the following effects: Animals may shiver when a foreign object such as an insect attaches to their body surface, when they feel stressed, or when they feel cold. Therefore, even if the animal's body moves significantly around its torso, the clamping member prevents the electrodes from shifting from their predetermined positions, thereby enabling more accurate measurement of the animal's bioinformation. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an animal biometric information measurement system can be provided which comprises the above-mentioned animal biometric information measurement device and animal clothing worn by the animal, and by using this animal biometric information measurement system, the animal's biometric information can be measured with even greater accuracy.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view (partially see-through) of an animal bioinformation measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamping member shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing another example of the configuration of the clamping member. Fig. 4 is a perspective view (partially see-through) showing another example of the configuration of an animal bioinformation measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] The animal bio-information measuring device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a base material, an electrode provided on the base material and used to obtain bio-information of an animal that comes into contact with the electrode, and a clamping member connected to the base material and clamping the animal's body hair.

[0010] Below, the animal bio-information measuring device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and it is of course possible to make modifications within the scope of the above and below-described intent, and all of these are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view (partially see-through) of an animal bioinformation measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clamping member 4 of the animal bioinformation measuring device 1 shown in Fig. 1 shows a state in which the multiple comb teeth 41 and the pressing member 42 that make up the clamping member 4 are not close to each other and do not clamp any animal hair. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamping member 4 shown in Fig. 1, showing the state as seen from below.

[0012] The animal biometric measuring device 1 includes a substrate 2, an electrode 3 provided on the substrate 2, and a clamping member 4 that clamps the animal's body hair. The substrate 2 and the clamping member 4 are connected, and by clamping the animal's body hair using the clamping member 4, the electrode 3 provided on the substrate 2 connected to the clamping member 4 can be brought into contact with the animal's body. This allows the electrode 3 to be placed at any position on the animal's body, increasing the degree of freedom in the placement of the electrode 3. As a result, the placement position of the electrode 3 can be changed depending on, for example, the animal's body size or type, allowing for accurate measurement of the animal's biometric information. Furthermore, because the electrode 3 can be brought into contact with the animal's body by clamping the animal's body hair between the clamping member 4, there is no need to shave the animal's body hair or fix the electrode 3 to the animal's body using, for example, a needle. Furthermore, even if the animal trembles and moves significantly around its torso, clamping the animal's body hair between the clamping member 4 can prevent the electrode from shifting from its predetermined position, allowing for more accurate measurement of the animal's biometric information.

[0013] The substrate 2 has a surface 2a that does not contact the animal's body and a surface 2b that contacts the animal's body. Materials that can be used to form the substrate 2 include, for example, elastomer films such as PET film, PEN film, polyimide film, and urethane film, other resin films, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, silicone rubber, and fabrics made of fiber materials. Examples of fabrics that can be used include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics, and the fabrics may be resin-coated or resin-impregnated.

[0014] The shape of the substrate 2 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a circle, an oval, a polygon, a star, a strip (elongated), and a combination thereof. The oval shape includes an ellipse, an egg, and the like. The polygonal shape may have rounded corners. The shape of the substrate 2 is preferably a strip.

[0015] The electrode 3 is used to acquire biological information of an animal that comes into contact with the electrode 3, and the biological information of the animal can be measured by contacting the electrode 3 with the animal's body. The electrode 3 is disposed on the surface 2b side of the substrate 2. The configuration of the electrode 3 will be described later.

[0016] The clamping member 4 has a gripping portion for clamping the animal's hair. The clamping member 4 may have other configurations such as a clip, a hair clip, a hairpin, etc. that can be connected to the base material 2 and can clamp the animal's hair, in addition to the configurations shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0017] The number of clamping members 4 included in the animal bio-information measuring device 1 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one or two or more, but is preferably one. Having only one clamping member 4 makes it easier to attach to an animal.

[0018] The substrate 2 and the clamping member 4 are connected, and the position at which the substrate 2 and the clamping member 4 are connected is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferable that an end of the substrate 2 is connected to an end of the clamping member 4. The substrate 2 and the clamping member 4 may be connected by, for example, thread or metal wire, or by adhesive.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the clamping member 4 preferably includes a plurality of comb teeth 41 used to clamp the animal's hair. The comb teeth 41 may be, for example, a member having a plurality of linear members arranged in the same direction. When clamping the animal's hair using the comb teeth 41, the hair is raised by the comb teeth 41, and the distance between the comb teeth 41 and, for example, a pressing member 42 arranged opposite the comb teeth 41 is shortened, thereby clamping the animal's hair. The number of comb teeth 41 is not particularly limited, and is preferably two or more, more preferably four or more, and particularly preferably six or more, and is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 15 or less, and particularly preferably 10 or less. The clamping member 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has nine comb teeth 41, while the clamping member 4 shown in FIG. 3 (described later) has a structure in which two of the twelve comb teeth 41 are connected at their tips.

[0020] When the clamping member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41, it is preferable that the tips of the comb teeth 41 of the clamping member 4 extend in a direction away from the body surface of the animal when the animal's body hair is clamped by the clamping member 4. By having the tips of the comb teeth 41 extend in a direction away from the body surface of the animal, the tips of the comb teeth 41 are less likely to come into contact with the animal, and the animal's body is less likely to be injured.

[0021] When the holding member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41, it is preferable that the tips of the plurality of comb teeth 41 are rounded. By having rounded tips, the body of the animal is less likely to be injured even if the tips of the comb teeth 41 come into contact with the animal.

[0022] 1 and 2, when the clamping member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41, the clamping member 4 preferably includes a pressing member 42 used to clamp the animal's hair. The pressing member 42 faces the comb teeth 41. The clamping member 4 has a plurality of comb teeth 41 and pressing members 42, and the comb teeth 41 and pressing members 42 are close to each other, so that the animal's hair can be clamped between the comb teeth 41 and the pressing members 42.

[0023] The portion of the holding member 42 that comes into contact with the comb teeth 41 is preferably covered with a cushioning material 42a. Covering the holding member 42 with the cushioning material 42a makes it difficult for the held animal's hair to come off the holding member 4. The cushioning material 42a can be made of, for example, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, silicone rubber, or a resin tube. The resin tube is preferably heat-shrinkable.

[0024] When the clamping member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41 and a pressing member 42, it is preferable that the clamping member 4 further includes a plate-shaped member 43, as shown in FIG. 2 . The plate-shaped member 43 forms the base portions of the plurality of comb teeth 41. When the direction in which the plate-shaped member 43 extends is defined as a first direction x, it is preferable that the plate-shaped member 43 has one end and the other end in the first direction x, one end and the other end in a second direction y intersecting the first direction x, a first main surface 43a, and a second main surface 43b. The second main surface 43b of the plate-shaped member 43 is the surface of the plate-shaped member 43 facing the body surface of the animal, and the first main surface 43a of the plate-shaped member 43 is the surface opposite to the second main surface 43b (the surface opposite to the body surface of the animal).

[0025] The comb teeth 41 preferably extend in a second direction y that intersects with the first direction x in which the plate-like member 43 extends, and the second direction y is more preferably perpendicular to the first direction x. The comb teeth 41 are preferably arranged side by side in the first direction x so as to extend in the second direction y.

[0026] The plate-shaped member 43 is preferably deformable between a first curved shape and a second curved shape. The first shape is a shape in which the plate-shaped member 43 is curved with the first main surface 43a facing inward and one end and the other end in the first direction x approach each other. The second shape is a shape in which the plate-shaped member 43 is curved with the second main surface 43b facing inward and one end and the other end in the first direction x approach each other. By transforming the plate-shaped member 43 from the first shape to the second shape, the multiple comb teeth 41 approach the pressing member 42, allowing the comb teeth 41 and the pressing member 42 to clamp the animal's hair. Figure 1 shows the plate-shaped member 43 in the first shape.

[0027] When the clamping member 4 includes a plate-shaped member 43, the spacing between the tips of the plurality of comb teeth 41 may narrow when the plate-shaped member 43 is transformed from the first form to the second form, thereby enabling the animal's hair to be firmly clamped. When the plate-shaped member 43 is transformed from the second form to the first form, the spacing between the tips of the plurality of comb teeth 41 may widen.

[0028] When the holding member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41, the tips of adjacent comb teeth 41 may be connected, and the connecting portion between the tips may be curved, as shown in Fig. 3. The connecting portions between the tips of adjacent comb teeth 41 increase the strength of the comb teeth 41, making the tips of the comb teeth 41 less likely to bend or break. The curved connecting portions between the tips of adjacent comb teeth 41 make it less likely that the animal will be injured even if the tips of the comb teeth 41 come into contact with the animal.

[0029] Next, another configuration example of the animal bioinformation measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 shows the plate-shaped member 43 in the first configuration. In the animal bioinformation measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 , the base material 2 preferably has a folded structure FS in which the region of the base material 2, including the portion where the clamping member 4 is connected, is folded back to overlap the base material 2. When the clamping member 4 is used to clamp the animal's body hair, the portion of the folded structure FS where the base material 2 overlaps functions as a cushioning material, making it easier for the electrodes 3 provided on the base material 2 to adhere to the animal's body surface. As a result, the animal's bioinformation can be measured with high accuracy.

[0030] When the substrate 2 has a folded structure FS, it is preferable that at least a portion of the electrode 3 is provided on the side of the folded structure FS that comes into contact with the animal's body, as shown in Fig. 4. When the substrate 2 has a folded structure FS, it is preferable that the clamping member 4 includes a plurality of comb teeth 41 used to clamp the animal's body hair, and at least a portion of the electrode 3 is provided on a portion of the folded structure FS that faces the plurality of comb teeth 41. By arranging the electrode 3 up to the area that faces the comb teeth 41, the electrode 3 can easily come into contact with the surface of the animal's body.

[0031] The base material 2 constituting the animal bio-information measuring device 1 preferably further includes a cushion member, and the cushion member is preferably disposed at a position on the base material 2 corresponding to the region of the electrodes 3 that contact the animal's body. By including the cushion member in the base material 2, the cushion member deforms in response to the movement of the animal's body even when the animal shakes, and the cushion member acts as a buffer. Therefore, the electrodes 3 formed on the base material 2 can be maintained in close contact with the animal's skin, allowing bio-information to be measured.

[0032] The cushioning material preferably includes, for example, cotton, foam, a net structure, or the like.

[0033] Examples of materials for forming the foam include polyurethane resins, polystyrene resins, polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), phenolic resins, polyvinyl chloride, urea resins, silicone, polyimide, and melamine resins. Among these, polyurethane resins are preferred. The foam may be, for example, mesh-like. This improves breathability and allows for comfortable wear even in summer.

[0034] An example of a network structure is a structure in which linear bodies made of a thermoplastic resin are fused at their intersections to form a network.

[0035] Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyurethane thermoplastic resins, polyolefin thermoplastic resins, polyester thermoplastic resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polystyrene thermoplastic resins, and polyamide thermoplastic resins. As the thermoplastic resin, polyolefin thermoplastic resins, polyester thermoplastic resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers are preferred because of their excellent flexibility, and polyolefin thermoplastic resins are more preferred. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0036] Regarding the shape of the linear body, for example, the interior of the linear body may be either solid or hollow, and the cross-sectional shape of the linear body may be either circular or irregular.

[0037] The fiber diameter of the linear body is, for example, preferably 0.20 mm or more, more preferably 0.22 mm or more, even more preferably 0.24 mm or more, and is preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.50 mm or less, even more preferably 0.35 mm or less.

[0038] As the network structure, for example, commercially available products such as "Breath Air (registered trademark)" manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., "Kurebulker (registered trademark)" manufactured by Kureha Tech Co., Ltd., and "Fusion (registered trademark)" manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation, or compressed products thereof are preferably used.

[0039] Next, the electrodes 3 provided on the substrate 2 will be described.

[0040] The shape of the electrode 3 may be, for example, a circle, an oval, a polygon, a star, a strip, or a combination of these. The oval shape includes an ellipse, an egg, etc. The polygonal shape may have rounded corners. The shape of the electrode 3 is preferably a polygon or a strip.

[0041] The electrode 3 provided on the substrate 2 may include an electrode including an insulating layer formed on the surface of the substrate 2 and a conductive layer formed on the insulating layer.

[0042] The insulating layer is made of, for example, an insulating resin. Examples of insulating resins include polyurethane resins, silicone resins, vinyl chloride resins, epoxy resins, and polyester elastomers. Among these, polyurethane resins are preferred because they have excellent adhesion to the conductive layer. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0043] The insulating layer can be formed, for example, by dissolving or dispersing an insulating resin in a solvent (preferably water), applying or printing the resulting solution onto a release paper or film, forming a coating film, and then volatilizing the solvent contained in the coating film to dry it. Alternatively, commercially available resin sheets or films can be used. The average thickness of the insulating layer is preferably, for example, 10 to 200 μm.

[0044] The conductive layer is a layer for ensuring electrical continuity and preferably contains a resin and a conductive filler.

[0045] The resin contained in the conductive layer preferably has elasticity. Examples of elastic resins include urethane resin, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastomer, silicone rubber, and fluororubber. More preferred are those containing at least a rubber containing sulfur atoms and / or a rubber containing nitrile groups. Sulfur atoms and nitrile groups have a high affinity with conductive fillers (especially metal powders), and rubber's high elasticity makes it easier to prevent cracks and other problems during elongation. Furthermore, it makes it easier to maintain the conductive filler in a uniformly dispersed state, thereby reducing the rate of change in electrical resistance during elongation. Examples of rubbers containing sulfur atoms include rubbers containing sulfur atoms as well as elastomers containing sulfur atoms. Sulfur atoms are contained in the form of sulfide bonds or disulfide bonds in the main chain of the polymer, or mercapto groups in the side chains or terminals. Examples of rubbers containing nitrile groups include rubbers containing nitrile groups as well as elastomers containing nitrile groups. Acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile, is particularly preferred. A preferred example of a commercially available product that can be used as the rubber containing a nitrile group is "Nipol (registered trademark) 1042" manufactured by Zeon Corporation. The conductive layer may contain only one type of elastic resin, or two or more types of elastic resins.

[0046] The total amount of the rubber containing a sulfur atom and the rubber containing a nitrile group is preferably 95% by mass or more, more preferably 98% by mass or more, and even more preferably 99% by mass or more, relative to 100% by mass of all resins contained in the conductive layer.

[0047] The conductive filler contained in the conductive layer may be, for example, a metal powder, metal nanoparticles, or a conductive material other than a metal powder. Examples of metal powder include precious metal powders such as silver powder, gold powder, platinum powder, and palladium powder; base metal powders such as copper powder, nickel powder, aluminum powder, and brass powder; plating powders in which heterogeneous particles made of base metals or inorganic substances such as silica are plated with a precious metal such as silver; and alloyed base metal powders in which a base metal is alloyed with a precious metal such as silver. The conductive filler contained in the conductive layer may be of only one type, or may be of two or more types.

[0048] The conductive layer can be formed, for example, using a composition in which each component is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a conductive paste).

[0049] The amount of resin contained in the conductive layer (in other words, the solid content of the elastic resin relative to the total solid content of the conductive paste for forming the conductive layer) is preferably 5 to 50 mass %, more preferably 10 to 40 mass %. The amount of conductive filler contained in the conductive layer is preferably 50 to 95 mass %, more preferably 60 to 90 mass %. This makes it easier to achieve both conductivity and elasticity.

[0050] Examples of methods for forming the conductive layer include using a composition (conductive paste) in which each component is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, and forming the conductive layer directly on the insulating layer, or applying or printing the conductive paste in a desired pattern to form a coating film, and then volatilizing the organic solvent contained in the coating film and drying it. Alternatively, the conductive layer may be formed by applying or printing the conductive paste onto a release sheet or the like to form a coating film, volatilizing the organic solvent contained in the coating film, and then drying the coating to form a sheet-like conductive layer, which is then laminated on the insulating layer in the desired pattern. The average film thickness of the conductive layer is preferably, for example, 10 to 150 μm, more preferably 20 to 130 μm, and even more preferably 30 to 100 μm. This improves durability.

[0051] It is preferable that the conductive layer be covered with an insulating layer except for the portion that comes into contact with the animal's body (electrode portion) and exposed portions such as the connector connection portion. This insulating layer is called the second insulating layer. The provision of the second insulating layer can prevent moisture such as rain, snow, and sweat from coming into contact with the conductive layer.

[0052] For the resin constituting the second insulating layer, the description of the resin constituting the insulating layer (hereinafter referred to as the first insulating layer) formed on the substrate 2 described above can be referenced. The resin constituting the second insulating layer may be the same as or different from the resin constituting the first insulating layer, but it is preferable that they are the same. Using the same resin can reduce damage to the conductive layer due to uneven stress when the conductive layer and the insulating layer expand and contract. The second insulating layer can be formed by the same formation method as the first insulating layer. The average film thickness of the second insulating layer is preferably, for example, 10 to 200 μm.

[0053] The animal bio-information measuring device 1 preferably further includes an electrical connection member that is provided on the base material 2 so as to be electrically connected to the electrodes 3 and to which a detachable electronic unit is connected. By including the electrical connection member, the electronic unit can be attached to and detached from the animal bio-information measuring device 1.

[0054] The electrical connection member is preferably disposed on the surface of the substrate 2 opposite to the surface on which the electrodes 3 are formed. By disposing the electrical connection member on the surface opposite to the surface on which the electrodes 3 are formed, the electronic unit can be attached without coming into contact with the animal's body.

[0055] The electrical connection member and the electrode 3 may be electrically connected via wiring. Examples of the electrical connection member include connectors such as snap fasteners.

[0056] An example of the electronic unit is a device having a function of calculating the electrical signals acquired by the electrodes 3. By calculating the electrical signals acquired by the electrodes 3 with the electronic unit, biological information such as electrocardiogram, heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature, electromyography, and sweating can be obtained. The electronic unit preferably further includes, for example, a display means, a storage means, a communication means, a USB connector, and the like. Furthermore, the electronic unit preferably further includes, for example, a sensor capable of measuring environmental information such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, and a sensor capable of measuring position information using a GPS or the like.

[0057] The position where the animal bio-information measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached is not particularly limited, and examples include the chest, abdomen, back, front legs, back legs, or neck of the animal. In the case of a conventional clothing-type animal bio-information measuring device, for example, when attempting to place electrodes on the abdomen of the animal, the clothing would sag due to gravity, creating a space between the electrodes and the animal's body surface. However, with the animal bio-information measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, contact between the electrodes 3 and the animal's body surface can be ensured even when the animal bio-information measuring device 1 is placed on the abdomen of the animal.

[0058] The present invention also includes an animal bioinformation measurement system including an animal bioinformation measurement device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and animal clothing worn by the animal. After attaching the animal bioinformation measurement device 1 to the animal's body, the animal can be dressed in clothing that covers at least the animal bioinformation measurement device 1. This allows the animal bioinformation measurement device 1 to fit more closely to the animal's body and also makes it less likely for the animal bioinformation measurement device 1 to slip out of its predetermined position, thereby improving the accuracy of bioinformation measurement. Furthermore, covering the animal bioinformation measurement device 1 with clothing prevents the animal from removing the animal bioinformation measurement device 1 from its body.

[0059] The animal clothing is not particularly limited as long as it has a shape that can cover the position where the animal bio-information measuring device 1 is attached, and may be, for example, clothing or a belt.

[0060] The present invention also includes an animal bioinformation measurement method using the animal bioinformation measurement system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The animal bioinformation measurement method includes clamping the animal's body hair with clamping members 4 to bring electrodes 3 into contact with the animal's body, having the animal wear animal clothing that covers the animal bioinformation measurement device 1, and measuring the animal's bioinformation via the electrodes 3.

[0061] The animals from which biological information can be acquired using the animal biological information measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention are mammals with hair, excluding humans, such as cows, sheep, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats.

[0062] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-98540, filed on June 15, 2023. The entire contents of the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-98540 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Animal bioinformation measuring device 2 Base material 2a Surface not in contact with the animal's body 2b Surface in contact with the animal's body 3 Electrode 4 Clamping member 41 Comb teeth 42 Pressing member 42a Cushioning material 43 Plate-shaped member 43a First main surface 43b Second main surface FS Folded structure with overlapping base materials

Claims

1. An animal bio-information measuring device comprising: a substrate; an electrode provided on the substrate, the electrode being used to acquire bio-information of an animal in contact with the electrode; and a clamping member connected to the substrate and clamping the animal's body hair.

2. The animal bioinformation measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping member includes a plurality of comb teeth used to clamp the animal's body hair.

3. The animal bioinformation measuring device of claim 2, wherein the clamping member includes a pressing member used to clamp the animal's hair, and the clamping member brings the multiple comb teeth and the pressing member into close proximity to each other to clamp the animal's hair.

4. The animal bioinformation measuring device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection member provided on the base material so as to be electrically connected to the electrodes, and to which a removable electronic unit is connected, the electrical connection member being disposed on the surface of the base material opposite to the surface on which the electrodes are formed.

5. The animal bioinformation measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes are strip-shaped.

6. The animal bioinformation measuring device of claim 1, wherein the base material has a folded structure in which a region of the base material including a portion where the clamping member is connected is folded back to overlap the base material, and at least a portion of the electrode is provided on the side of the folded structure that comes into contact with the animal's body.

7. The animal bioinformation measuring device of claim 6, wherein the clamping member includes a plurality of comb teeth used to clamp the animal's body hair, and at least a portion of the electrode is provided in a portion of the folded structure that faces the plurality of comb teeth.

8. The animal bioinformation measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the tips of the plurality of comb teeth are rounded.

9. The animal bioinformation measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the tips of adjacent ones of the plurality of comb teeth are connected, and the connection between the tips is curved.

10. The animal bio-information measuring device of claim 2, wherein the tips of the multiple comb teeth of the clamping member extend in a direction away from the animal's body surface when the animal's body hair is clamped by the clamping member.

11. The animal bio-information measuring device of claim 3, wherein the clamping member further includes a plate-like member having one end and the other end in a first direction, one end and the other end in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a first main surface, and a second main surface, the multiple comb teeth are arranged in a row on the plate-like member so as to extend in the second direction, the plate-like member is deformable into a first curved form and a second curved form, in the first form, the plate-like member is curved with the first main surface on the inside and the one end and the other end in the first direction approach each other, and in the second form, the plate-like member is curved with the second main surface on the inside and the one end and the other end in the first direction approach each other, and the multiple comb teeth are brought closer to each other by transforming the plate-like member from the first form to the second form.

12. The animal bioinformation measuring device according to claim 11, wherein the spacing between the tips of the plurality of comb teeth narrows when the plate-like member is transformed from the first form to the second form.

13. The animal bio-information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the base material includes a cushioning material in an area where the portion of the electrode that contacts the animal's body is provided.

14. An animal bio-information measuring system comprising the animal bio-information measuring device according to claim 1 and animal clothing worn by the animal.

15. A method for measuring bioinformation for an animal using the animal bioinformation measuring system described in claim 14, comprising: clamping the animal's body hair with the clamping member to bring the electrodes into contact with the animal's body; having the animal wear the animal clothing so as to cover the animal bioinformation measuring device; and measuring the animal's bioinformation via the electrodes.

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