Measuring apparatus for biological information

• US 6,078,829 A
• Filed: 12/16/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Uchida, Shinji, Ooshima, Kiyoko, Atsuta, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Application Number:
  US09/212,397
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/323, 600/340, 600/344
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal

Abstract

The present invention provides a measuring apparatus for biological information which permits accurate determination for biological information without causing the subject much discomfort. The measuring apparatus for biological information of the present invention uses an ear receiver-shaped sensor element which is placed and held on the perimeter of the subject'"'"'s external auditory meatus opening with the light emitter and the light receiver brought into contact with the subject. The light receiver detects the light projected to and passed through the subject. The apparatus is also provided with a signal processor which performs calculation for biological information of the subject on the basis of the intensity of light detected by the light receiver.

Claims

1. A measuring apparatus for biological information which comprises:

a sensor element having a light emitter for projecting light to a subject and a light receiver for receiving a light reflected from said subject out of the light projected by said light emitter;

a signal processor which performs calculation for taking biological information of said subject on the basis of the intensity of light detected by said light receiver; and

an acoustic oscillator, wherein said sensor element has a shape which allows each of said light emitter and said light receiver to be brought into contact with and held on the perimeter of an external auditory meatus opening of said subject, and said acoustic oscillator is provided on a side of said sensor element, said side facing the external auditory meatus.

2. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sensor element has a plurality of light receivers.

3. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acoustic oscillator is provided within said sensor element.

4. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acoustic oscillator outputs the biological information as acoustic signals.

5. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the biological information.

6. An apparatus for measuring biological information which comprises:

a first sensor element having a light emitter for projecting light to a subject;

a second sensor element having a light receiver for receiving light passed through said subject out of the light projected by said light emitter; and

a signal processor which calculates biological information of said subject on the basis of the intensity of light detected by said light receiver, wherein each of said first and second sensor elements has a shape which allows said light emitter and said light receiver to be brought into contact with and held on the perimeter of an external auditory meatus opening of said subject.

7. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 6, wherein said second sensor element has a plurality of light receivers.

8. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 6, further comprising an acoustic oscillator.

9. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 8, wherein said acoustic oscillator is provided adjacent said first sensor element.

10. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 8, wherein said acoustic oscillator outputs the biological information as acoustic signals.

11. The apparatus for measuring biological information in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a display for displaying the biological information.