JP2005169141A - Organism activity measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an organism activity measurement system which can measure organism activity in a condition not contact with the subject does not give unpleasant feeling to the subject. <P>SOLUTION: A brain activity measurement device A which is an organism activity measurement device to measure organism activity indicating organism functions is equipped with an irradiating part 2 which has a control part 1 to control and process measurement of organism activity such as irradiation of irradiation light, detection of reflection light reflected by an organism, etc. and irradiates irradiation light to a measurement location on the body of the subject P from a position apart from the subject P and a detection part 3 which detects intensity of the reflection light at a position apart from the subject P and outputs a reflection light detection signal indicating intensity of the reflection light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a life activity measuring apparatus that non-invasively measures a life activity indicating a function of a living body such as brain activity.

In recent years, various apparatuses and systems have been developed for non-invasive measurement of biological activities such as brain activity, such as brain activity, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI), magnetic resonance imaging (SQUID), and superconducting.
quantum interference device), positron tomography (PET)
A technique using a technique such as emission tomography) is known.

  However, since these are measured in a device that is almost closed, there is a problem that it is impossible to measure brain activity while exercising, for example. In recent years, non-invasive measurement is possible, and light is used as one of life activity measurement devices that can measure brain activity while exercising. A device using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been developed and attracts attention.

  This irradiates a predetermined part of the subject's body with irradiation light of a predetermined wavelength, and measures the biological activity indicating the biological function of the subject from the intensity of the reflected light reflected by the brain in response to the irradiation light of the predetermined wavelength Specifically, as the irradiation infrared rays, the near-infrared light having a wavelength that penetrates skin tissue and bone tissue and is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in blood is optically used in the predetermined region. The oxyhemoglobin concentration, deoxyhemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin concentration which is the total concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin are measured, and the brain activity is measured by the hemodynamic change in the brain derived from the change in the concentration over time.

  And in the measurement, in order to irradiate the irradiation light and to detect the emitted light once transmitted into the head and reflected by the brain, it is connected to an irradiation optical fiber connected to a light source and a detection device. A measurement wearing tool provided with a light guide including a detection optical fiber is attached to the head for measurement.

  However, with such a configuration, however, with such a configuration, since the measurement is performed with the measurement wearing device mounted on the head as described above, some subjects feel uncomfortable. There was a problem of being. In addition, the wearing work of such a wearing tool is troublesome and time is required, and this also places a burden on the subject and makes the work troublesome for the measurer. It was. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to measure infants who are difficult to wear wearing devices, seriously ill persons, persons with injured heads, and the like. Such inconveniences can occur not only when measuring brain activity, but also when measuring biological activity at various parts of the body.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a life activity measuring apparatus that can measure life activity in a non-contact state with a subject and does not cause discomfort to the subject.

  That is, the invention according to claim 1 irradiates a predetermined region in a measurement region, which is a predetermined region in the body of a subject, with irradiation light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength, and emits the light from the body corresponding to the irradiation light. A biological activity measuring device that detects the intensity of emitted light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays to measure a biological activity indicating a biological function without exposing a predetermined part in the measurement region, the irradiation, detection, etc. A control unit that performs control and processing related to measurement of life activity, and a predetermined portion of the measurement region from a position separated from the subject by a predetermined distance, that is, without contacting the subject and in a non-invasive state And an emitted light detector that detects the intensity of the emitted light at a position separated from the subject by a predetermined distance, that is, without contacting the subject and in a non-invasive state. It is a biological activity measuring apparatus and a detecting section for outputting a signal.

  Here, “indicating a biological function” refers to an indication or suggestion of a biological function, that is, a function based on various changes in biological dynamics such as changes in the distribution and concentration of substances in the biological body. It is not intended to indicate only the form or shape of the part.

  Also, the emitted light may be of the same wavelength as the infrared light or near infrared light of the irradiation light, for example, light composed of infrared or near infrared light of another wavelength generated by being excited by the irradiation light. Also good. Moreover, the light which is irradiated and is scattered may be sufficient.

  With such an apparatus, it is possible to measure the biological activity in a state in which the irradiation unit and the detection unit are not in contact with the subject, that is, measure the biological activity without causing discomfort to the subject. Will be able to. In addition, since the time for attaching the measurement equipment to the subject can be reduced during measurement, there is no need to place a burden on the subject in this respect as well, and the measurement work can be performed smoothly without any burden on the measurement person. And In addition, by realizing non-contact measurement with respect to the subject in this way, infants, elderly people, seriously ill persons, persons who are injured in the measurement area, etc. who are difficult to wear conventional wearing devices, etc. It becomes possible to deal with various subjects. It is also suitable for use in rehabilitation.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is for measuring brain activity as life activity, and irradiating light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength at a predetermined site in a measurement region which is a predetermined region in the brain as a body of a subject. A biological activity measuring device for measuring a biological activity indicating a brain function which is a biological function by detecting the intensity of the emitted light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays emitted from the body corresponding to the irradiated light, A control unit that performs control and processing related to measurement of biological activity such as irradiation and detection, and the subject is in a non-invasive state from a position separated from the subject by a predetermined distance, that is, without contacting the subject. Irradiating a predetermined part of the measurement region in the brain and the intensity of the emitted light detected at a position separated from the subject by a predetermined distance, that is, without contacting the subject and in a non-invasive state It is to have the biological activity measuring apparatus and a detecting section for outputting output light detection signal indicating the emission intensity.

  If it is such, it will become possible to measure the brain activity which shows a brain function, without giving an unpleasant feeling, such as mounting | wearing the test subject with the mounting tool for a measurement here. When wearing a conventional wearing device on the head, the hair may be pulled, there are also subjects who strongly feel discomfort wearing the wearing device, the biological activity measuring device for measuring brain activity of the present invention, The effect that it is not necessary to wear a wearing tool at the time of measurement is extremely effective. In addition, since the time for attaching a conventional wearing tool to the head can be reduced during measurement, it is not necessary to place a burden on the subject in this respect, and the measurement work can be performed smoothly without any burden on the measuring person. Make it possible. In addition, by realizing non-contact measurement with respect to the subject in this way, infants, elderly people, seriously ill persons, persons who are injured in the measurement area, etc. who are difficult to wear conventional wearing devices, etc. It is possible to deal with various subjects. Furthermore, in recent years, it has become common to perform rehabilitation while measuring brain activity. In this way, rehabilitation performed while measuring the ability to measure brain activity in a non-contact state, It becomes possible to carry out without giving the subject a discomfort of the head.

  Furthermore, in order to effectively use the biological activity measuring apparatus that measures brain activity in this manner by measuring brain activity in a region that has been difficult to investigate in conventional fMRI or the like, Desirably, the irradiation light is configured to irradiate the frontal lobe part, which is a predetermined part of the brain, through the forehead of the subject, and the detection unit is configured to detect the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the frontal lobe part through the forehead. . With such a configuration, it is possible to measure the frontal lobe life activity, which has been difficult to examine by conventional MRI or the like, due to the air present in the space above the nose.

  And in such a thing, as a specific aspect of an irradiation part, what comprised the irradiation light to irradiate substantially the whole whole area | region simultaneously, and the irradiation light is one predetermined point in the said measurement area | region. And a configuration configured to sequentially irradiate a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region with irradiation light.

  On the other hand, as a specific aspect of the detection unit, the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the measurement region is configured to detect the entire area of the measurement region at the same time, the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the measurement region, A configuration configured to sequentially detect every predetermined point in the measurement region is exemplified. And it is possible to combine each aspect of this detection part and the said irradiation part.

  In order to make such a life activity measuring device functional, the control unit processes the light detection signal output from the detection unit and affects the biological function of the predetermined part of the body or its It is desirable to provide a function as parameter substance kinetic data generation means for generating parameter substance kinetic data indicating or suggesting kinetics such as distribution and concentration change of the parameter substance which is a factor.

  In order to further improve usability, it is desirable that the device itself of the present invention is provided with a display, and the control unit is provided with display means for displaying the parameter substance dynamic data on the display.

  The parameter substance dynamics data displayed on the display may be numerical data, graphed data, or the like, but in order to be able to easily determine the biological activity to be measured, Image data generating means for processing the material dynamics data into biological function image data for displaying the distribution and concentration or concentration change of the parameter substance in the measurement region as a two-dimensional image is provided, and the display means further generates the image data It is desirable to have a function of displaying the biological function image data processed and generated by the means on the display unit.

  In addition, in order to clarify which part of the biofunction image is measured and to display the biofunction image more easily, the unevenness of the outer surface of the body corresponding to the measurement region is measured and An outer surface shape measuring unit that outputs outer surface shape data indicating the state of surface irregularities is provided, and the control unit corresponds to the measurement region from the outer surface shape data measured and output by the outer surface shape measuring unit. A measurement region for displaying the outer surface to be displayed as a three-dimensional image; a measurement region for generating three-dimensional image data; and a three-dimensional image data generating unit for generating the measurement region. It is desirable that the region three-dimensional image data and the biological function image data are displayed so as to overlap each other on a display.

  Further, as another aspect for clarifying which part of the biofunction image is measured, the biofunction image data is substantially the same as the measurement region generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus such as MRI. Examples include those having a function of combining and displaying biomorphic image data or biofunction image data of a region.

  Furthermore, in order to make effective use of biofunction image data once measured and compared with biofunction obtained later, the biofunction image data and the biofunction image data are processed or synthesized based on this biofunction image data. It is desirable to provide storage means for storing data. Furthermore, in order to display such image data on a display device of another information processing apparatus and to perform data processing in the other information processing apparatus, the biofunction image data and the biofunction It is desirable to provide biological function image data storage means for storing data processed or synthesized based on image data in a general-purpose image data format such as TIFF format or GIF format.

  Moreover, what shows a hemodynamic change is mentioned as a specific aspect as a biological function image. In addition, it may indicate a change in potential of a neuron or a metabolite such as sugar. In addition, in order to specify a disease such as cancer, a change in the concentration of a specific substance may be indicated.

  As a specific embodiment for realizing the biological function image so as to show hemodynamic changes in this way, the parameter substance is oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, and the parameter substance kinetic data generation means includes these oxyhemoglobin and The parameter substance kinetic data which shows the dynamics of deoxyhemoglobin is produced | generated, and what comprised the image data production | generation means to process this hemoglobin kinetic data as image data which shows the hemodynamic change which is a biological function is mentioned.

  In addition, in the case of measuring the kinetics of oxyhemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin as a parameter material in this way, as irradiating light, it is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin and the molecular absorption of each of these oxyhemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin. It is preferable to employ near infrared rays having different wavelengths. Near-infrared light is hardly absorbed by substances that make up the living body such as water, fat, and protein, but is strongly absorbed by hemoglobin.Thus, skin tissue and bone tissue are transmitted, and the behavior of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels in the body is increased. This is because it is suitable for measurement. Of course, this molecular extinction coefficient may be replaced with a molar extinction coefficient.

  In addition, as a specific aspect of the configuration of the detection unit for detecting light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength at positions separated by a predetermined distance as described above, a reception unit that receives emitted light is provided. And a post-wavelength separation mechanism that separates the emitted light from the light emitted from a predetermined part of the body before the received light is received by the receiving unit. On the other hand, the irradiation unit is configured to include an irradiation source that irradiates light having a plurality of wavelengths, and a wavelength separation mechanism that separates the irradiation light of the predetermined wavelength from the light irradiated from the irradiation source. There may be. In addition, the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation source may be irradiated as it is without being split.

  In addition, as an aspect of effectively utilizing the life activity measuring device of the present invention, the subject further includes a treadmill capable of operating the legs at a substantially fixed position and an exercise load instrument such as an ergometer which is a fixed bicycle, and the irradiation unit, It is configured to irradiate the subject with irradiation light in a non-contact and non-invasive manner from a position separated from the body of the subject who is exercising with the exercise load instrument, and the detector is moved with the exercise load instrument. You may comprise so that the intensity | strength of the emitted light radiate | emitted from the body of a test subject may be detected non-contactingly and non-invasively to the test subject at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the test subject's body. If it is such, it is not necessary to attach the mounting tool for a measurement with respect to a body, and it becomes easy to concentrate a test subject on an exercise | movement and more accurate measurement is attained.

  In addition, in order to be able to measure the life activity of seriously injured patients, elderly people, infants, etc. who are difficult to go to the laboratory for measurement, the irradiation unit is located above the body of the subject who is sleeping. The subject is configured to irradiate the subject with non-contact and non-invasive irradiation light from a position separated by a predetermined distance, and the detection unit emits the emitted light emitted from the subject's body in the sleeping state. If it is configured to detect the subject in a non-contact and non-invasive manner at a position spaced a predetermined distance above. In such a thing, if it is comprised so that it can move with a bed further, it will become possible to measure a patient's life activity during conveyance.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to measure the biological activity in a non-contact and non-invasive state of the irradiation unit and the detection unit with respect to the subject, that is, the subject is uncomfortable. Life activity can be measured without any problem. Further, it is possible to reduce the time for attaching the wearing tool for measurement to the subject at the time of measurement, and it is not necessary to place a burden on the subject in this respect. Then, it is possible to perform smooth measurement by eliminating the burden associated with the wearing operation of the measurer. In addition, by realizing non-contact measurement with respect to the subject in this way, infants, elderly people, seriously ill persons, persons who are injured in the measurement area, etc. who are difficult to wear conventional wearing devices, etc. A variety of subjects can be accommodated. Furthermore, it is also suitable for use in rehabilitation and determination of its effects.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the brain activity indicating the brain function is measured without giving the subject a discomfort such as wearing a conventional measuring tool on the head. be able to. In addition, since the time for attaching a conventional wearing tool to the head can be reduced during measurement, it is not necessary to place a burden on the subject in this respect, and the measurement work can be performed smoothly without any burden on the measuring person. Make it possible. In addition, by realizing non-contact and non-invasive measurement on the subject's head in this way, it is difficult for infants, elderly people, seriously ill persons, and measurement areas that are difficult to wear conventional mounting tools. It is possible to deal with various subjects such as a person who bears. Furthermore, in recent years, rehabilitation is often performed while measuring brain activity. Thus, rehabilitation performed while measuring enabling brain activity measurement in a non-contact state and its The determination of the effect can be performed so as not to give the subject discomfort of the head.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment A brain activity measuring device A, which is a life activity measuring device shown in FIG. 1, irradiates a predetermined region in a measurement region, which is a predetermined region of the brain of the subject P, with irradiation light of a predetermined wavelength, and It is a life activity measuring device that measures the daily activity indicating the brain function of the subject P by detecting the intensity of the reflected light of a predetermined wavelength that is the outgoing light that is once transmitted through the brain after being irradiated. In the brain activity measuring apparatus A of the present embodiment, the brain activity is measured by observing changes in the hemodynamics of the brain, and oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin are used as parameter substances indicating the hemodynamic changes. And kinetics of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin are observed. As the wavelength of the irradiation light, two types of near infrared rays, for example, 780 nm and 830 nm, which are absorbed in oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and have different molecular extinction coefficients, are employed, and the reflected light has the same wavelength as the irradiation light. Near infrared. Irradiation light may have a wavelength other than this, or may use three or more wavelengths.

  Specifically, the brain activity measuring device A is composed of a device main body A1 and a head fixing means. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body A <b> 1 includes at least the control unit 1, the irradiation unit 2, the detection unit 3, the outer surface shape measurement unit 4, and the display 5. In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body A1 includes a control device A2 having a function as the control unit 1 and including the display 5, the irradiation unit 2, the detection unit 3, and the uneven shape measuring unit 4. The image pickup apparatus A3 is configured to be communicably connected by wire or wireless. The control device A2 is a general-purpose personal computer having a calculation function, a communication function, and the like. On the other hand, the imaging device A3 is provided with a device configuration necessary to have functions as the irradiation unit 2, the detection unit 3, and the outer surface shape measurement unit 4 in a housing. However, it may be of a handy type or of a type that is used by being placed on the floor.

  On the other hand, as the head fixing means, in this embodiment, an eye mask A4 that prevents the head of the subject P from moving by protecting the eyes from the irradiation light is adopted.

  Next, each configuration of the apparatus main body A1 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the irradiation unit 2, the detection unit 3, and the outer surface shape measurement unit 4 will be described first.

  The irradiation unit 2 irradiates light including at least the irradiation light from a position separated from the subject P by a predetermined distance, for example, at least 10 centimeters. In this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the frontal lobe portion of the brain is irradiated through the forehead of the subject P. Specifically, the imaging device A3 includes a light source 21 that emits light of a plurality of wavelengths including the irradiation light, and an irradiation position moving mechanism 22 that adjusts the irradiation position of the light source 21 in the brain measurement region. 3, the light emitted from the light source 21 is sequentially irradiated to a predetermined point in the measurement region of the brain of the subject P as indicated by a symbol L, and the measurement region is configured to scan the surface. Yes. As the light source 21, for example, a semiconductor laser, a light emitting diode, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like is used.

The detection unit 3 detects the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the brain of the subject P by the light emitted from the irradiation unit 2 at a predetermined distance, for example, at least 10 centimeters or more from the subject P brain. A reflected light detection signal indicating the intensity of the reflected light is output. Specifically, it includes a light receiving unit 31 that receives outgoing light as a receiving unit that receives outgoing light, and a wavelength separation mechanism 32, and further includes a scanning mirror, a condensing lens, an aperture, an amplifier, and an A / D converter (not shown). And so on. The light receiving unit 31 is a CCD (Charge).
A light receiving element such as a coupled device) is provided. The signal received by the CCD element and converted into an electric signal is further amplified by an amplifier, converted into a reflected light detection signal which is a digital signal by an A / D converter, and output to the control device A3. It will be. The wavelength separation mechanism 32 separates near-infrared rays having wavelengths of 780 nm and 830 nm before the emitted light is received by the light receiving unit 31, and includes, for example, a spectral filter. The spectral filter is, for example, a rotary filter in which optical filters that disperse a plurality of wavelengths are provided in positions corresponding to the condenser lens, and are rotated with an appropriate switching mechanism. It is like being switched. Then, the detection unit 3 of the present embodiment uses the scanning mirror and a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the scanning mirror to perform a plurality of predetermined points so as to scan the surface of the measurement region as indicated by arrows in FIG. Is automatically focused and sequentially detected.

  The outer surface shape measuring unit 4 measures the unevenness of the outer surface of the head corresponding to the measurement region, and outputs outer surface shape data indicating the state of the unevenness of the outer surface. As an example of the configuration, a guide light irradiation unit 41 that emits guide light that is different from the irradiation light, and a focus mechanism 42 that has an autofocus function that focuses the guide light on the outer surface of the head. As the outer surface shape data, data that indicates the focus distance of the guide light at each predetermined position on the head can be used.

  The control unit 1 performs control and processing related to measurement of brain activity such as irradiation of irradiation light and detection of reflected light. Specifically, irradiation is performed by operating the CPU, the communication interface, other components of the control device, and the components of the imaging device A3 according to a program stored in an external storage device such as an internal memory or HDD provided in the control device A2. Part control means 11, detection part control means 12, outer surface shape measurement means 13, hemoglobin dynamic data generation means 14 as parameter substance dynamic data generation means, brain function image data generation means 15 as biological function image data generation means, The apparatus has at least functions as a three-dimensional image data generation unit 16, a calculation unit 17, an image data storage unit 18, and a display unit 19.

  The irradiation part control means 11 transmits a control signal for controlling the irradiation part 2. Specifically, a control signal or the like for adjusting the position, timing, intensity, etc. irradiated by the light source 21 is transmitted.

  The detection unit control means 12 transmits a control signal for controlling the detection unit 3. Specifically, the control signal for controlling the angle adjustment of the scanning mirror, the lens position, etc., the control signal for controlling the detection timing, etc. so as to focus on the position corresponding to the irradiation position within the measurement amount range of the irradiation unit 3. Is to send. In addition, a control signal or the like for adjusting the wavelength separation mechanism 32 is transmitted so that near infrared rays having wavelengths of 780 nm and 830 nm as reflected light reach the light receiving unit 31.

  The hemoglobin dynamic data generating means 14 processes the reflected light detection signal, which is the output light detection signal at each wavelength, output from the detection unit 3 to thereby control the oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, which are substances that contribute to the brain function in a predetermined part of the brain. It generates hemoglobin dynamic data indicating or suggesting dynamics such as distribution and concentration change. Further, data obtained by synthesizing reflected light detection signals for detecting infrared rays at different wavelengths, data obtained by performing a predetermined process, and the like may be generated.

  The brain function image data generating means 15 displays hemoglobin dynamic data generated by the hemoglobin dynamic data generating means 14 as a two-dimensional image of hemoglobin distribution, concentration or concentration change in the brain measurement region, and displays hemodynamic changes. It is processed into brain function image data which is image data to be shown.

  The three-dimensional image data generating means 16 displays a measurement region three-dimensional image that displays the outer surface of the head corresponding to the measurement region as a three-dimensional image from the outer surface shape data measured and output by the outer surface shape measurement unit 4. Data is generated. The measurement area three-dimensional image data is image data in which the shape of the outer surface of the head is displayed in three dimensions, and the shape of the three-dimensional head is aligned with brain function image data that is two-dimensional image data. Alternatively, the data may be such that the brain shape in the measurement region is also displayed as a substantially three-dimensional image by a calculation process.

  The calculation means 17 combines the respective hemoglobin dynamic data based on the reflected light detection signals having the wavelengths of 780 nm and 830 nm detected and output by the detection unit 3, or the respective images showing the hemodynamic changes based on the respective hemoglobin dynamic data. , Extraction and conversion.

  The image data storage unit 18 stores the brain function image data generated by the brain function image data generation unit 15 and data processed or synthesized based on the biological function image data such as the three-dimensional image data. is there. It also has a function of storing these image data in a general-purpose image data format such as TIFF format or GIF format.

  The display means 19 performs control for displaying the brain function image data and the 3D image data generated by the brain function image data generation means 15 and the 3D image data generation means 16, respectively, on the display 5. . Furthermore, in the present embodiment, there is a function of displaying the biofunction image data by combining it with biomorphic image data or biofunction image data in the same area as the measurement area generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus. ing.

  Therefore, when using the brain activity measuring apparatus A of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the subject P is seated on a chair and the eye mask A4 as a head fixing means is attached. The measuring device P2 is operated by operating the control device A2 and the brain activity is measured in a non-contact state with respect to the subject P.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment as described above. In particular, as the irradiating unit, the light including the irradiation light is irradiated over almost the entire area of the measurement region in addition to the irradiation unit 2 that sequentially irradiates the light including the irradiation light at a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region. May be configured to irradiate one predetermined point in the measurement region with light including irradiation light.

  Moreover, as a detection part, the reflected light reflected from a measurement area other than what detects the reflected light reflected from a measurement area sequentially for every predetermined point in a measurement area like the detection part 3 of this embodiment. It may be configured to simultaneously detect the intensity of near-infrared light having one wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths contained in the entire measurement region.

  And it is possible to combine the two modes of the detection unit and the three modes of the irradiation unit, respectively. In addition to the combinations shown in FIG. 3, the combination modes shown in FIGS. It is done. In addition, the light containing the irradiation light which the irradiation part irradiated is shown with the code | symbol L, and the detection range of the detection part is shown with the arrow in the figure. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the irradiating unit irradiates light including irradiation light to almost the entire measurement region where the biological activity is to be measured, and the detection unit reflects on the measurement region. The reflected light intensity of each wavelength may be configured to simultaneously detect almost the entire measurement area. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the irradiating unit irradiates light including irradiation light to almost the entire measurement region where the biological activity is to be measured, and the detection unit is the measurement region. The reflected light intensity of each wavelength reflected may be configured to be sequentially detected for each of a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, an irradiation part irradiates the light containing irradiation light with respect to one predetermined point in the measurement area | region which is going to measure life activity, and a detection part is the said measurement area | region. The reflected light intensity of each wavelength reflected by may be configured to simultaneously detect almost the entire region within the measurement region. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation unit irradiates light including irradiation light to one predetermined point in the measurement region where the biological activity is to be measured, and the detection unit The reflected light intensity of each wavelength reflected in the measurement region may be configured to be sequentially detected for each of a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation unit sequentially irradiates light including irradiation light to a plurality of predetermined points in a measurement region in which the biological activity is to be measured, and the detection unit The reflected light intensity of each wavelength reflected in the measurement region may be configured to detect almost the entire region simultaneously in the measurement region.

  As described above, according to the brain activity measuring apparatus of the present embodiment described above, the brain activity is measured without giving the subject P the discomfort caused by wearing the conventional mounting tool for brain activity measurement. be able to. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the time for attaching such a wearing tool at the time of measurement, it is not necessary to place a burden on the subject P in this respect, and it is possible to perform a smooth measurement by eliminating the burden associated with the wearing operation of the measurer. .

  Moreover, in this embodiment, while utilizing the near infrared ray which permeate | transmits skin tissue and a bone tissue, it can utilize that the irradiation part 2 and the detection part 3 can measure a brain activity in the non-contact state with respect to the test subject P. Because the irradiation part irradiates the frontal lobe part through the forehead and the detection part detects the reflected light reflected from the frontal lobe part, in conventional MRI, etc., because of the air present in the gap part above the nose It is possible to measure brain activity in the frontal lobe where it was difficult to measure brain activity.

  In addition, when light including irradiation light is irradiated from the front of the subject P as described above, the subject P inevitably tends to bend the head due to the glare. However, since the eye mask A4 is provided as the head fixing means, accurate brain activity measurement is possible.

  In addition, the irradiation unit 2 and the detection unit 3 are both configured to perform surface scanning in the measurement region, and detailed brain activity in the measurement region can be measured.

  Further, since the detection unit 3 is configured to automatically focus and sequentially detect a plurality of predetermined points so as to scan the surface of the measurement area, the following can be expected. When irradiated with light including irradiation light, the living body is not a transparent object, but the light is scattered in a complicated manner, but information of different depth is intentionally selected by changing the focus position, especially the depth from the scalp There is a possibility. That is, there is a possibility that different information can be obtained when the focus of autofocus is perfectly adjusted to the scalp and when the focus is intentionally shifted from the scalp to the inside (brain side). It can be expected to develop research that actively selects brain information by focusing on the depth corresponding to the surface of the brain calculated from MRI images.

  In addition, since the outer surface shape measuring unit 4 and the three-dimensional image data generating means 16 are provided so that the shape of the outer surface in the measurement region and the brain function image can be superimposed on the display 5 and displayed. It is possible to clearly determine which part of the brain function image obtained by the activity measuring device is measured, and the brain function image becomes easier to understand.

  Furthermore, the display means 19 is configured so that the brain function image can be displayed by being synthesized with brain form image data or brain function image data in the substantially same region as the measurement region generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus. Also in this respect, it is possible to clearly determine which part of the brain function image measured by the brain activity measuring device is present, and the brain function image is more easily understood.

  In addition, since the image data storage means 18 is provided, it can be compared with the already generated brain function image data, output, etc., and is easy to use. Furthermore, since it can be stored in a general-purpose image data format, it can be output to other general-purpose information processing devices or printers, and brain function images can be used effectively.

  (2nd Embodiment) Next, the brain activity measuring device B which is a life activity measuring device in 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. The brain activity measuring device B shown in FIG. 9 includes a device main body B1 including a control device B2 and an imaging device B3 connected to the control device B2 in a wired or wireless manner, and a head attached to the imaging device as a head fixing means. The chin mounting table B4 as a fixing means is provided. Then, in a state where the subject P places his / her chin on the chin mounting table B4 and the forehead is close to the imaging device B3, the light including the irradiation light is irradiated to the frontal lobe portion through the forehead of the subject P and reflected by the frontal lobe portion. The brain activity is measured by detecting light.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus body B1 in this embodiment includes a control unit 101 and a display 105 provided on the control device side, an irradiation unit 102, a detection unit 103, and an outer surface provided on the imaging device side. And a shape measuring unit 104.

  The irradiation unit 102 includes a light source 1021 that irradiates light including at least the 780 nm and 830 nm near infrared rays. In this embodiment, the irradiation unit 102 simultaneously irradiates almost the entire frontal lobe of the brain, which is a measurement region, through the forehead. Is. As the light source 1021, a halogen lamp or a tungsten lamp is used.

  The detection unit 103 detects the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the brain of the subject P by the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 102 at a position separated from the subject P brain by a predetermined distance, for example, at least 10 centimeters or more. A reflected light detection signal indicating the intensity of the reflected light is output. In the present embodiment, the reflected light reflected by the brain is simultaneously detected over substantially the entire frontal lobe portion that is the measurement region. Specifically, it includes a light receiving unit 1031 and a wavelength separation mechanism 1032, and further includes a condenser lens, a diaphragm, an amplifier, an A / D converter, and the like (not shown). The light receiving unit 1031 of the present embodiment is composed of a light receiving unit for each wavelength of 780 nm and 830 nm constituted by CCD elements. In this embodiment, the wavelength separation mechanism 1032 includes a reflected light splitting mechanism (not shown) composed of a plurality of angle-adjusted mirrors and an optical filter or a grating (not shown), and the reflected light splitting mechanism 1032 The divided light is split into 780 nm and 830 nm near-infrared rays by an optical filter, and the corresponding light receiving portions receive the light.

  The outer surface shape measurement unit 104 includes a guide light irradiation unit 1041 and an autofocus mechanism 1042 that focuses the guide light on the outer surface of the head, and is similar to the outer surface shape measurement unit 4 of the first embodiment described above. It has the structure of.

  The control unit 101 operates the CPU, the communication interface, other components of the control device B2, and the components of the imaging device B3 according to a program stored in an external storage device such as an internal memory or HDD provided in the control device B2. By doing so, the irradiation part control means 1011, the detection part control means 1012, the outer surface shape measurement means 1013, the hemoglobin dynamic data generation means 1014 as parameter substance dynamic data generation means, and the brain function image data as biological function image data generation means It has functions as a generation unit 1015, a three-dimensional image data generation unit 1016, a calculation unit 1017, an image data storage unit 1018, and a display unit 1019.

  The irradiation unit control means 1011 transmits a control signal for controlling the timing of the light source 1021 constituting the irradiation unit 102 and the intensity of irradiation.

  The detection unit control means 1012 transmits a control signal for focusing on almost the center of the measurement region so that the reflected light is reflected appropriately from the measurement region, and the reflected light of 780 nm and 830 nm is A control signal for adjusting the wavelength separation mechanism 1032 is transmitted so as to be appropriately received by the respective light receiving portions corresponding to the respective wavelengths.

  The display means 1019 detects reflected light divided for each wavelength by the mirror constituting the wavelength separation mechanism 1032 and outputs brain function image data based on hemoglobin dynamic data corresponding to the output reflected light detection signal. It is displayed at a time on a split screen.

  The outer surface shape measuring means 1013, the hemoglobin dynamic data generating means 1014 as parameter substance dynamic data generating means, the brain function image data generating means 1015 as biological function image data generating means, the three-dimensional image data generating means 1016, and the calculation The means 1017 and the image data accumulating means 1018 are the outer surface shape measuring means 13 of the first embodiment, the hemoglobin dynamic data generating means 14 as the parameter substance dynamic data generating means, and the brain function as the biological function image data generating means. The image data generating unit 15, the three-dimensional image data generating unit 16, the calculating unit 17, and the image data accumulating unit 18 have the same functions, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, when using the brain activity measuring apparatus B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the subject P is seated on a chair and the jaw is placed on the chin rest as a head fixing means attached to the imaging apparatus B3. In this state, the imaging device B3 that is in a non-contact state with the subject P is operated by the measurer P2 operating the control device B2, and the brain activity in a non-contact state with respect to the subject P Measure.

  Even with the brain activity measuring apparatus B of the present embodiment configured as described above, brain activity can be measured without giving the subject P discomfort due to wearing a conventional mounting tool for measuring brain activity. It can be measured. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the time for attaching such a wearing tool at the time of measurement, it is not necessary to place a burden on the subject P in this respect, and it is possible to perform a smooth measurement by eliminating the burden associated with the wearing operation of the measurer. .

  As a specific effect of the present embodiment, since the chin rest B2 as the head fixing means is provided, the head is securely fixed, and no shake occurs when detecting reflected light due to the movement of the head.

  The present invention is not limited to these embodiments described above. For example, the irradiation unit may be configured to include a light source and a wavelength separation mechanism. The wavelength spectroscopic mechanism provided in the detection unit may be configured using a liquid crystal tunable filter. Further, the light receiving portion is not limited to the one constituted by the CCD element, and may be constituted by a film or the like as long as it can receive light.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the apparatus main bodies A1 and B1 are divided into the control devices A2 and B2 and the image pickup devices A3 and B3. However, they are configured integrally. There may be. In such a device that is used while standing on the floor, it is desirable that the apparatus main body is provided with a moving means such as a caster so that it can move.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the subject P is a brain activity measuring device C which is a life activity measuring device including a treadmill T which is an exercise load device capable of operating a leg at a substantially fixed position. Also good. This brain activity measuring device C is configured to include the treadmill T, the device main body C1, and the chin rest C4 provided to the treadmill T as a head fixing means. The apparatus main body C1 includes, for example, a control apparatus A2 that constitutes the apparatus main body A1 in the first embodiment, a control apparatus C2 that has substantially the same configuration and functions as the imaging apparatus A3, and an imaging apparatus C3. The irradiation unit provided in the imaging device C3 is configured to irradiate light including at least the irradiation light from a position separated from the measurement region of the body of the subject P who is exercising with the exercise load device by a predetermined distance. The detection unit provided in the imaging device C3 detects the intensity of the reflected light reflected in the measurement area of the body of the subject P who is exercising with the exercise load device at a position separated from the body of the subject P by a predetermined distance. Configure. If it is such, since the brain activity during exercise | movement can be measured without attaching the mounting tool for a measurement with respect to the test subject P, the test subject P becomes easy to concentrate on exercise | movement and exact measurement becomes possible. The exercise load device may be a stationary bicycle.

  Moreover, the brain activity measuring device D which is a life activity measuring device as shown in FIG. 12 may be used. This brain activity measuring device D measures the brain activity of the subject P who is sleeping on the bed BD. It comprises an apparatus main body D1 composed of a control device D2, an imaging device D3 connected to the control device D2 by a cable such as a cable, and an eye mask D4 serving as a head fixing means. And by arrange | positioning the said imaging device D3 on the ceiling which is the upper position of the said bed BD, the irradiation part with which the said imaging device D3 was equipped is predetermined distance upwards with respect to the body of the test subject P who is sleeping. The light that includes at least the irradiation light is emitted from the separated position, and the detector reflects the reflected light reflected by the measurement area of the body of the subject P in the sleeping state upward from the body of the subject P. Detection is performed at a position separated by a distance. Specifically, the connection between the control device D2 and the imaging device D3 may be wireless by applying a technology such as Bluetooth. In the illustrated example, the control device D2 is mounted on a mounting table having casters as moving means and can be moved. However, the control device D2 itself may be provided with moving means. Further, the imaging device D3 may be attached to the bed BD. If it is such, it is possible to measure biological activities of seriously injured patients, elderly people, infants and the like who are difficult to go to the laboratory for measurement. Furthermore, if the apparatus main body D1 is configured to be movable together with the bed BD, a measuring apparatus capable of measuring the biological activity of the patient being transported can be obtained.

  In addition, the irradiation electromagnetic wave irradiated by the irradiation unit may be an electromagnetic wave other than light. Further, as an irradiation mode, an electromagnetic wave including at least the irradiation electromagnetic wave is sequentially irradiated at a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region. Whatever configuration is used to irradiate almost all of the measurement area with electromagnetic waves including at least electromagnetic waves, or to irradiate one predetermined point in the measurement area with electromagnetic waves including at least irradiation electromagnetic waves There may be.

  Furthermore, the detection unit detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the measurement area sequentially for each predetermined point in the measurement area, and simultaneously detects the intensity of the outgoing electromagnetic waves emitted from the measurement area for almost the entire measurement area. Any aspect may be sufficient as what was comprised so. The irradiation unit and the detection unit as described above can be combined in any way, and of course, the brain activity meter side device B, the brain activity meter side device C, and the brain activity meter side device in the above embodiment. The same applies to D.

  Moreover, the biological activity apparatus comprised so that the biological activity which shows the function may be measured by making predetermined | prescribed site | parts of bodies other than a brain into a measurement area | region may be sufficient. The parameter substance contributing to the biological function for measuring such biological activity may be, for example, cytochrome or saccharide other than hemoglobin.

  In addition, it may be a biological activity device that measures the function of a nerve cell that is a biological function by using, as an outgoing electromagnetic wave, the scattering of light that occurs in response to a potential change caused by applying some stimulus by an irradiation electromagnetic wave to the nerve cell.

1 is an overall view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the same structure. Explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows another aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows another aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows another aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows another aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows another aspect of an irradiation part and a detection part in the embodiment. The whole figure showing a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the same structure. The whole figure showing another embodiment of the present invention. The whole figure showing another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Control part 14, 1014 ... Parameter substance dynamic data generation means (hemoglobin dynamic data generation means)
15, 1015 ... biological function image data generation means (brain function image data generation means)
16, 1016 ... three-dimensional image data generation means 17, 1017 ... calculation means 18, 1018 ... image data storage means 19, 1019 ... display means 2, 102 ... irradiation part 21, 1021 ... light source 3, 103 ... detection part 31, 1031 ... Reception part (light receiving part)
32, 1032 ... wavelength separation mechanism 4, 104 ... outer surface shape measuring unit 5, 105 ... display A, B, C, D ... life activity measuring device (brain activity measuring device)
P ... Subject T ... Exercise equipment (treadmill)

Claims (22)

Irradiated light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength is irradiated on a predetermined region in a measurement region, which is a predetermined region in the body of the subject, and emitted light composed of infrared rays or near infrared rays emitted from the body in response to the irradiated light. A biological activity measuring device for measuring a biological activity indicating a biological function by detecting the intensity of the biological activity without exposing a predetermined part in the measurement region,
A control unit that performs control and processing related to measurement of biological activity such as irradiation of the irradiation light and detection of outgoing light;
An irradiation unit that irradiates a predetermined portion of the measurement region from a position that is non-contact and non-invasively spaced from the subject with the irradiation light, and the subject at a position that is spaced a predetermined distance from the subject in intensity of the emitted light. A life activity measuring device comprising: a detection unit that detects non-contact and non-invasively and outputs an emitted light detection signal indicating the intensity of the emitted light. Irradiation light consisting of infrared rays or near infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength is irradiated to a predetermined region in a measurement region, which is a predetermined region in the brain as a subject's body, and infrared rays or near infrared rays emitted from the brain in response to the irradiation light. A biological activity measurement device that detects the intensity of emitted light and measures a biological activity indicating a brain function that is a biological function without exposing a predetermined part in the measurement region,
A control unit that performs control and processing related to measurement of biological activity such as irradiation of the irradiation light and detection of outgoing light;
An irradiation unit that irradiates a predetermined portion of the measurement region from a position that is non-contact and non-invasively spaced from the subject with the irradiation light, and the subject at a position that is spaced a predetermined distance from the subject in intensity of the emitted light. A life activity measuring device comprising: a detection unit that detects non-contact and non-invasively and outputs an emitted light detection signal indicating the intensity of the emitted light. The irradiation unit irradiates the irradiation light to the frontal lobe part which is a predetermined part of the brain through the subject's forehead, and the detection unit detects the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the frontal lobe part through the forehead. The life activity measuring device according to claim 2. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the irradiating unit irradiates the irradiating light to substantially the entire area of the measurement region simultaneously. The life activity measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation unit irradiates the irradiation light to one predetermined point in the measurement region. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the irradiation unit sequentially irradiates the irradiation light to a plurality of predetermined points in the measurement region. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection unit detects the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the measurement region at the same time for almost the entire region of the measurement region. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection unit sequentially detects the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the measurement region for each predetermined point in the measurement region. The control unit processes the light detection signal output from the detection unit to indicate or suggest the dynamics such as distribution, concentration, or concentration change of the parameter substance that is a substance contributing to the biological function of the predetermined part of the body The biological activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising parameter substance dynamic data generating means for generating parameter substance dynamic data. The life activity measuring apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a display, wherein the control unit includes display means for displaying the parameter substance dynamic data generated by the parameter substance dynamic data generating means on the display. A biological function image data generating means for processing the parameter substance dynamic data into biological function image data to be displayed as a two-dimensional image showing a biological function by the distribution, concentration or concentration change of the parameter substance in the measurement region. The biological activity measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the display means has a function of displaying the biological function image data processed and generated by the biological function image data generation means on a display. The control unit includes an outer surface shape measurement unit that is controlled by the control unit to measure the unevenness of the outer surface of the body corresponding to the measurement region and outputs outer surface shape data indicating the state of the unevenness of the outer surface. Measurement area 3D image data generation for generating measurement area 3D image data for displaying the outer surface corresponding to the measurement area as a 3D image from the outer surface shape data measured and output by the outer surface shape measurement unit Further equipped with means,
The display means has a function of displaying the measurement area 3D image data generated by the measurement area 3D image data generation means and the biological function image data so as to overlap each other on a display screen. 11. What is described as a biological activity measuring device. The display means has a function of displaying the biofunction image data by combining it with biomorphic image data or biofunction image data in a region substantially the same as the measurement region generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus. The life activity measuring device according to claim 11. 14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising image data storage means for storing biological function image data generated by the biological function image data generation means or data processed or synthesized based on the biological function image data. Life activity measuring device. 15. The biological activity measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the image data storage means has a function of storing the biological function image data and data processed or synthesized based on the biological function image data in a general-purpose image data format. . The life activity measuring device according to claim 11, wherein the life function image data is image data indicating a hemodynamic change as a life function. The parameter substance kinetic data generation means generates hemoglobin kinetic data indicating the kinetics of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin as parameter substances, and the biological function image data generation means converts the hemoglobin kinetic data into the hemodynamic change. The life activity measuring device according to claim 16, which is processed as image data to be shown. 18. The biological activity measuring means according to claim 17, wherein the irradiation light is near infrared light having at least two wavelengths having different molecular extinction coefficients of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. The control unit combines and extracts each hemoglobin dynamic data based on near infrared rays of two or more different wavelengths detected by the detection unit, or each image indicating hemodynamic changes based on each hemoglobin dynamic data, or The life activity measuring device according to claim 18, further comprising arithmetic processing means for performing arithmetic processing such as conversion. The detection unit includes a reception unit that receives the emitted light, and includes a post-wavelength separation mechanism that separates the emitted light from the light emitted from a predetermined part of the body before the reception unit receives the emitted light. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 19. The subject is provided with an exercise load device that can move the leg at a substantially fixed position, and the irradiation unit is separated from the measurement region in the body of the subject moving with the exercise load device in a non-contact and non-invasive manner by a predetermined distance. Irradiation light is emitted from the position, and the detection unit applies the intensity of the emitted light emitted from the body of the subject who is exercising with the exercise load device to the subject at a position separated from the subject's body by a predetermined distance. The life activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the life activity measuring device detects the contact and non-invasively. The irradiation unit irradiates the irradiation light in a non-contact and non-invasive manner from a position spaced a predetermined distance above the measurement region in the body of the subject who is sleeping, and the detection unit is sleeping 21. The emitted light emitted from the measurement area of the subject in a state is detected in a non-contact and non-invasive manner with respect to the subject at a position spaced a predetermined distance upward from the body of the subject. Life activity measuring device.

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