Biophotometer

• US 20040054271A1
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Medical Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Maki, Atsushi, Fujiwara, Michiyuki, Dehaene-Lambertz, Ghislaine, Mehler, Jacques, Pena, Marcela
• Granted Patent: US 7,139,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/341
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical measurement device of biological tissue having a probe attachable to a moving part of a living body with a high curvature in biophotometry. A member having a high flexibility and a high friction coefficient is disposed on a surface for contact with the living body. In addition, a device for light irradiation and a device for collection of light are fixed with an elastic material for uniform pressure application. The resulting double structure or double layer has solved a problem.

Claims

1. An optical measurement device of biological tissue for measuring a substance of metabolism within a subject to be measured by using a probe comprising:

a device for light irradiation for irradiating the subject with light via an optical wave-guide; and

a device for collection of light for collecting light irradiated from the device for light irradiation and propagated through an inside of the subject via the optical wave-guide,

said probe having a plurality of optical wave-guides for said device for light irradiation and for said device for collection of light and having a portion for contact with said subject being composed of at least one member with a surface structure.

2. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein respective end portions of the optical wave-guides of said devices for light irradiation and for collection of light are supported. to have a distance between the optical wave-guides in a specified permissible range at a surface for contact with said subject.

3. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein a member for contact with said subject is composed of a material having a high flexibility and a high friction coefficient.

4. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein a member for contact with said subject is composed of a material which does not permeate or reflect a wavelength of said light.

5. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein a region of said member with the surface structure for contact with said subject which is surrounded by said optical wave-guides is provided with an aperture.

6. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein an end portion of said device for light irradiation is covered with a filter for light attenuation.

7. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein each of said devices for light irradiation and for collection of light has four or more optical wave-guides.

8. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein an end portion of each of said devices for light irradiation and for collection of light is vertically movable above a surface of the subject.

9. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein said devices for light irradiation and for collection of light are alternately positioned at points of a square lattice configuration or a rhombic lattice configuration.

10. The optical measurement device of biological tissue of claim 1, wherein said portion of said probe for contact with the subject is composed of a plurality of members with surface structures resulting from division.

11. An optical measurement device of biological tissue for measuring a substance of metabolism within a subject to be measured by using a probe comprising:

a device for light irradiation for irradiating the subject with light via an optical waveguide; and

a device for collection of light for collecting light irradiated from the device for light irradiation and propagated through an inside of the subject via the optical wave-guide,

said probe having a portion for contact with the subject being composed of a plurality of members with surface structures resulting from division,

a plurality of optical wave-guides for light irradiation and a plurality of optical wave-guides for collection of light being disposed on said respective members with the surface structures,

said members with the surface structures being connected to each other via a flexible member.