MOTOR FUNCTION MEASURING SENSOR, MOTOR FUNCTION MEASURING APPARATUS, AND MOTOR FUNCTION ANALYZING APPARATUS

• US 20080238414A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Computer Peripherals Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kandori, Akihiko, Ninomiya, Atsushi, MIYASHITA, Tsuyoshi, Kasai, Yoshimi, Ishizuka, Kouichi, Matsumoto, Norihiko, Onuma, Mitsuru, Adachi, Norihiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/207.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0228 using calibration standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/187 Strain relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1101 Detecting tremor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A motion sensor for measuring motion information of a subject comprises a coil substrate having transmitting or receiving coils piled one on top of another and a holder in which the coil substrate is mounted. Formed on the holder are curved surfaces to which an adhesive sheet is stuck and at which the holder is attached to a nail of a subject via the adhesive sheet. Further, there is provided a casing where first and second containing space are formed to contain measurement instruments including an adhesive member where a plurality of the adhesive sheets are laid one on top of another, the motion sensor, and the like.

Claims

1. A motor function measuring sensor comprising:

a magnetic field generating unit for generating a magnetic field;

a magnetic field detecting unit for detecting the magnetic field;

a first holder to be attached to a first predetermined part of a living body for holding the magnetic field generating unit;

a second holder to be attached to a second predetermined part of the living body for holding the magnetic field detecting unit, a distance between the first and second parts being variable by motion of the living body; and

a sticking part, the magnetic field detecting unit outputting a measurement signal based on an intensity of the detected the magnetic field to detect a motor function of the living body,

wherein at least one of the first holder and the second holder includes an attachment surface, the sticking part detachably attaches the attachment surface to the living body.

2. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sticking part comprises a seat including adhesive surfaces on its front and back sides, respectively.

3. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 2, wherein the seat comprise a tab having non-adhesive surfaces.

4. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface comprises a slit along an axis direction across the attachment surface.

5. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second holders comprises:

an upper holder and a lower holder;

an electric wire;

a coil substrate including a through hole into which the electric is inserted and the electric wire is electrically connected to a circuit on the substrate.

6. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a distinguishing part for distinguishing the sensor to be used between the right hand and left hand of the living body.

7. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 6, further comprises:

an electric wire electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit and the magnetic field detecting unit, wherein the distinguishing part comprises a character or a mark indicating either of the right hand or the left hand of the living body.

8. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 6, further comprises:

an electric wire, having an outer surface and being electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit and the magnetic field detecting unit, wherein the distinguishing part comprises a color on the outer surface for indicating either of the right hand or the left hand of the living body.

9. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 6, further comprises:

an electric wire electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit and the magnetic field detecting unit, wherein the electric wire comprises a connector unit including a plurality of pins as the distinguishing part, wherein the number of the pins is either a first value for the right hand or a second value for the left hand which is different from the first value.

10. The motor function measuring sensor according to claim 1, further comprises:

an electric wire electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit and the magnetic field detecting unit;

a string member including an engaging part for engaging with the electric wire, the engaging part being slidable relative the electric wire; and

a clip for clipping a part of clothes of the living body.

11. A motor function measuring apparatus to be connected to a sensor for measuring a motor function comprising:

a magnetic field generating unit for generating a magnetic field; and

a magnetic field detecting unit for detecting the magnetic field, which are attached to first and second predetermined parts of a living body, a distance between the first and second parts being variable by motion of the living body, the magnetic field detecting unit outputting a measurement signal based on an intensity of the detected the magnetic field to detect a motor function of the living body, the motor function measuring apparatus comprising;

a connector for connecting the motor function measuring apparatus to the motor function measuring sensor;

a current supplying part for supplying a predetermined current to the motor function measuring sensor via the connector;

a processing circuit for processing the measurement signal from the motor function measuring sensor; and

a container for containing the motor function measuring sensor and accessories.

12. The motor function measuring apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the container comprises:

an outer wall;

an inner wall inside the outer wall for providing a first containing space between the outer and inner walls and a second containing space inside the inner wall.

13. The motor function measuring apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the container comprises a body having an opening and a drawer in the body slidable through the opening.

14. A motor function analyzing apparatus to be connected to a processing circuit for processing a measurement signal from a sensor to output measurement data of motor function comprising:

a magnetic field generating unit; and

a magnetic field detecting unit, which are attached to first and second predetermined parts of a living body, a distance between the first and second parts being variable by motion of the living body, the motor function analyzing apparatus comprising;

a data input part for inputting measurement data of a motor function from the processing circuit;

an operation input unit for inputting an instruction of an operator;

a storage for storing data;

a data processing unit for processing the data to output a data processing result; and

a display unit for displaying the data processing result, wherein the storage stores;

control screen image data for generating a control screen image including;

a display area for displaying information for specifying a plurality of subjects;

first to third controls for shifting a screen image from the control screen image to other screen images;

measurement condition setting screen image data for generating a measurement condition setting screen image for setting conditions of motor function measurement;

analysis result screen image data for generating an analysis result screen image of the measurement data; and

graph displaying screen image data for generating a graph displaying screen image of the analysis result, and wherein the data processing unit conducts;

a process of reading out the control screen image data from the storage to arrange the display area for displaying information for specifying a plurality of subjects, and the first to third controls on the same screen image together to form the control screen image which is displayed on the display unit;

a process of, when the first control arranged on the control screen image displayed on the display unit is selected through the operation input unit, reading out the measurement condition setting screen image data from the storage to display the measurement condition setting screen image on the display unit;

a process of, when the second control arranged on the control screen image displayed on the display unit is selected through the operation input unit, reading out the analysis result screen image data from the storage to display the analysis result screen image on the display unit; and

a process of, when the third control arranged on the control screen image displayed on the display unit is selected through the operation input unit, reading out the graph displaying screen image data from the storage to display the graph displaying screen image of the analysis result on the display unit.

15. The motor function analyzing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the data processing unit, in the measurement condition setting screen image shifted when the first control is selected, displays:

subject information including either an identifier regarding the subject or name of the subject;

measurement method information for selecting one of the left hand, the right hand, and both hands;

measurement time interval information for determining a measurement time interval; and

calibration information for conducting calibration before measurement at least on the display unit to allow entering and changing.

16. The motor function analyzing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the data processing unit, in the measurement-data analysis result screen shifted to when the second operator is selected, displays:

either information about distance between fingers to which holders of the sensor are attached or information about speed representing the change rate of the distance in the form of a graph of waveform data on the display unit; and

a maximum or an average of maximums of a parameter of the waveform data near and along with the graph.

17. The motor function analyzing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the data processing unit, in the analysis result graph screen image shifted to when the third operator is selected, displays the information about the distance or about the speed for measurement at a plurality of measurement dates in the form of a graph on the display unit.