Biological-signal detecting device

• US 6,030,347 A
• Filed: 08/08/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Noda, Hiroyuki, Nakamura, Katsuji, Sugai, Haruo, Makita, Satoru, Matsue, Yoshinori, Ookawa, Kazumi
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US08/875,761
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/592, 600/595, 600/552, 600/534
• US Class Current: 600/552
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts

Abstract

A biological-signal detecting device of a non-wrapper type for accurately detecting a biological signal of a user such as heartbeat number, respiration number or blood pressure, comprises a frame, a spring net fixed to the frame and having an elastic deformation capability to support a weight of the user, and a biological-signal detecting unit. The detecting unit is disposed on a second supporting surface of the spring net opposed to a first supporting surface of the spring net for receiving the weight of the user. The detecting unit determines the biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load-variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when the weight of the user is supported by the spring net.

Claims

1. A biological-signal detecting device comprising:

a frame;

a spring net fixed to said frame and having an elastic deformation capability to support a weight of a user, said spring net having a first supporting surface for receiving said weight and a second supporting surface opposed to said first supporting surface;

biological-signal detecting means disposed on said second supporting surface, said detecting means detecting a biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load-variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when said weight of the user is supported by said spring net.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said biological-signal detecting means comprises:

a base;

a movable member which is relatively movable to said base according to said biological vibration transmitted through said spring net;

an optical fiber having input and output ends, said optical fiber disposed between said base and said movable member so as to show an elastic deformation with a change of internal reflectance according to a position change of said movable member relative to said base;

a light source disposed at said input end to supply a light into said optical fiber;

an optical sensor disposed at said output end to receive an output light from said optical fiber;

analyzing means for analyzing a change of said output light received by said optical sensor, and determining said biological signal, said change of said output light being caused by said change of internal reflectance of said optical fiber when said optical fiber is elastically deformed.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 comprising supporting means for supporting said biological-signal detecting means, said supporting means having a spring member for preventing that said weight of the user is rapidly loaded to said optical fiber, and a vibration damping member for preventing a vibration of said detecting means caused in synchronization with said biological vibration.

7. The device as set forth in claim 4 comprising supporting means for supporting said detecting means, said supporting means preventing that said weight of the user is rapidly loaded to said optical fiber, and having a nonlinear spring characteristic to prevent a vibration of said detecting means caused in synchronization with said biological vibration.

9. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said movable member of said detecting means has a projection through which said biological vibration is transmitted from said spring net to said movable member.

10. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said movable member of said detecting means has an arcuate surface through which said biological vibration is transmitted from said spring net to said movable member.

2. A biological-signal detecting device comprising:

a frame;

a spring net fixed to said frame and having an elastic deformation-capability to support a weight of a user, said spring net having a first supporting surface for receiving said weight and a second supporting surface opposed to said first supporting surface, said spring net comprising a plurality of spring units arranged in a row on a plane, and coupling members for coupling between said spring units, each of said spring units being formed by bending a spring material in a wave pattern, said wave pattern being provided with a plurality of linear portions and arcuate portions each extending between adjacent linear portions; and

biological-signal detecting means disposed on said second supporting surface, said detecting means detecting a biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when said weight of the user is supported by said spring net.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said biological-signal detecting means is disposed on one of said linear portions of said spring nets.

6. A biological-signal detecting device comprising:

a frame;

a spring net fixed to said frame and having an elastic deformation capability to support a weight of a user, said spring net having a first supporting surface for receiving said weight and a second supporting surface opposed to said first supporting surface;

biological-signal detecting means disposed on said second supporting surface, said detecting means detecting a biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when said weight of the user is supported by said spring net, said biological-signal detecting means comprising;

a base,

a movable member which is relatively movable to said base according to said biological vibration transmitted through said spring net,

an optical fiber having input and output ends, said optical fiber disposed between said base and said movable member so as to show an elastic deformation with a change of internal reflectance according to a position change of said movable member relative to said base,

a light source disposed at said input end to supply a light into said optical fiber,

an optical sensor disposed at said output end to receive an output light from said optical fiber,

analyzing means for analyzing a change of said output light received by said optical sensor, and determining said biological signal, said change of said output light being caused by said change of internal reflectance of said optical fiber when said optical fiber is elastically deformed; and

gas-spring means for supporting said detecting means, said gas-spring means capable of preventing that said weight of the user is rapidly loaded to said optical fiber, and preventing a vibration of said detecting means caused in synchronization with said biological vibration.

8. A biological-signal detecting device comprising:

a frame;

a spring net fixed to said frame and having an elastic deformation capability to support a weight of a user, said spring net having a first supporting surface for receiving said weight and a second supporting surface opposed to said first supporting surface;

biological-signal detecting means disposed on said second supporting surface, said detecting means detecting a biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when said weight of the user is supported by said spring net, said biological-signal detecting means comprising;

a base,

a movable member which is relatively movable to said base according to said biological vibration transmitted through said spring net,

an optical fiber having input and output ends, said optical fiber disposed between said base and said movable member so as to show an elastic deformation with a change of internal reflectance according to a position change of said movable member relative to said base,

a light source disposed at said input end to supply a light into said optical fiber,

an optical sensor disposed at said output end to receive an output light from said optical fiber,

analyzing means for analyzing a change of said output light received by said optical sensor, and determining said biological signal, said change of said output light being caused by said change of internal reflectance of said optical fiber when said optical fiber is elastically deformed;

a connecting rod for coupling between said base and said frame, a first end of said connecting rod being pressed against a bottom surface of said base, and a second end of said connecting rod being supported to said frame such that said connecting rod can pivotally move against said frame about said second end; and

supporting means for supporting said connecting rod at a position between said first end and said second end, said supporting means capable of preventing that said weight of the user is rapidly loaded to said optical fiber, and preventing a vibration of said detecting means caused in synchronization with said biological vibration.

11. A biological-signal detecting device comprising:

a frame;

a spring net fixed to said frame and having an elastic deformation capability to support a weight of a user, said spring net having a first supporting surface for receiving said weight and a second supporting surface opposed to said first supporting surface; and

biological-signal detecting means disposed on said second supporting surface, said detecting means detecting a biological signal of the user according to a biological vibration which is a cyclic, minute load variation of the user transmitted through the spring net when said weight of the user is supported by said spring net, said biological-signal detecting means comprising;

a base,

a movable member which is relatively movable to said base according to said biological vibration transmitted through said spring net,

an optical fiber having input and output ends, said optical fiber disposed between said base and said movable member so as to show an elastic deformation with a change of internal reflectance according to a position change of said movable member relative to said base,

a light source disposed at said input end to supply a light into said optical fiber,

an optical sensor disposed at said output end to receive an output light from said optical fiber,

analyzing means for analyzing a change of said output light received by said optical sensor, and determining said biological signal, said change of said output light being caused by said change of internal reflectance of said optical fiber when said optical fiber is elastically deformed, and

a stopper for limiting the relative movement of said movable member to said base such that an amount of elastic deformation of said optical fiber is less than a predetermined value.