Body composition meter

US 20060025701A1
Filed: 07/27/2005
Published: 02/02/2006
Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
Status: Abandoned Application

First Claim

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1. A body composition meter comprising:

multiple pairs of current electrodes, a pair of measuring electrodes, a current generating section, voltage detecting section, and body composition estimating means, wherein the multiple pairs of current electrodes are disposed on a specific body part sequentially at smaller spacings, the measuring electrodes are disposed between the innermost pair of current electrodes, the current generating section generates a current between each pair of current electrodes, the voltage detecting section detects a voltage generated between the measuring electrodes when the current generating section generates a current between each pair of current electrodes, and the body composition estimating means estimates body composition indicators based on all of the voltages detected by the voltage detecting section.

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Abstract

There is provided a body composition meter capable of measuring impedances in a specific body part easily and estimating body composition indicators with high accuracy.

The body composition meter has a pair of current electrodes 3a and 3b disposed between a pair of current electrodes 2a and 2b on adjustable arms 8a and 8b, has a pair of measuring electrodes 4a and 4b disposed between the innermost pair of current electrodes 3a and 3b, generates a current between the current electrodes 2a and 2b or the current electrodes 3a and 3b in a current generating section, detects a voltage generated between the measuring electrodes 4a and 4b in a voltage detecting section when the current generating section generates a current, and estimates body composition indicators based on all of these detected voltages in body composition estimating means.

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90 Claims

1. A body composition meter comprising:
- multiple pairs of current electrodes, a pair of measuring electrodes, a current generating section, voltage detecting section, and body composition estimating means, wherein the multiple pairs of current electrodes are disposed on a specific body part sequentially at smaller spacings, the measuring electrodes are disposed between the innermost pair of current electrodes, the current generating section generates a current between each pair of current electrodes, the voltage detecting section detects a voltage generated between the measuring electrodes when the current generating section generates a current between each pair of current electrodes, and the body composition estimating means estimates body composition indicators based on all of the voltages detected by the voltage detecting section.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
- - 2. The body composition meter according to claim 1, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 3. The body composition meter according to claim 1, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 4. The body composition meter according to claim 3, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 5. The body composition meter according to claim 4, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 6. The body composition meter according to claim 5, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 7. The body composition meter according to claim 3, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 8. The body composition meter according to claim 7, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 9. The body composition meter according to claim 8, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 10. The body composition meter according to claim 9, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 11. The body composition meter according to claim 1, wherein the current generating section generates a current such that the frequency of the current gradually lowers from the outermost pair of current electrodes to the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 12. The body composition meter according to claim 11, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 13. The body composition meter according to claim 11, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 14. The body composition meter according to claim 13, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 15. The body composition meter according to claim 14, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 16. The body composition meter according to claim 15, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 17. The body composition meter according to claim 13, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 18. The body composition meter according to claim 17, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 19. The body composition meter according to claim 18, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 20. The body composition meter according to claim 19, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 21. The body composition meter according to claim 11, wherein the current generating section generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz between the outermost pair of current electrodes and generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz between the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 22. The body composition meter according to claim 21, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 23. The body composition meter according to claim 21, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 24. The body composition meter according to claim 23, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 25. The body composition meter according to claim 24, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 26. The body composition meter according to claim 25, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 27. The body composition meter according to claim 23, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 28. The body composition meter according to claim 27, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 29. The body composition meter according to claim 28, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 30. The body composition meter according to claim 29, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 31. The body composition meter according to claim 21, wherein the specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz is a frequency of 256 kHz, and the specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz is a frequency of 5 kHz.
  - 32. The body composition meter according to claim 31, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 33. The body composition meter according to claim 31, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 34. The body composition meter according to claim 33, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 35. The body composition meter according to claim 34, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 36. The body composition meter according to claim 35, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 37. The body composition meter according to claim 33, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 38. The body composition meter according to claim 37, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 39. The body composition meter according to claim 38, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 40. The body composition meter according to claim 39, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 41. The body composition meter according to claim 1, wherein the body composition estimating means comprises:
    - an impedance computing section, a body composition computing equation storage section, and a body composition computing section, wherein the impedance computing section computes an impedance based on a current generated between each pair of current electrodes by the current generating section and a voltage detected by the voltage detecting section, the body composition computing equation storage section stores body composition computing equations for computing body composition indicators based on all of the impedances computed by the impedance computing section, and the body composition computing section computes body composition indicators by substituting the impedances computed by the impedance computing section into the body composition computing equations stored in the body composition computing equation storage section.
  - 42. The body composition meter according to claim 41, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 43. The body composition meter according to claim 41, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 44. The body composition meter according to claim 43, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 45. The body composition meter according to claim 44, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 46. The body composition meter according to claim 45, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 47. The body composition meter according to claim 43, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 48. The body composition meter according to claim 47, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 49. The body composition meter according to claim 48, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 50. The body composition meter according to claim 49, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 51. The body composition meter according to claim 41, wherein the current generating section generates a current such that the frequency of the current gradually lowers from the outermost pair of current electrodes to the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 52. The body composition meter according to claim 51, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 53. The body composition meter according to claim 51, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 54. The body composition meter according to claim 53, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 55. The body composition meter according to claim 54, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 56. The body composition meter according to claim 55, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 57. The body composition meter according to claim 53, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 58. The body composition meter according to claim 57, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 59. The body composition meter according to claim 58, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 60. The body composition meter according to claim 59, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 61. The body composition meter according to claim 51, wherein the current generating section generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz between the outermost pair of current electrodes and generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz between the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 62. The body composition meter according to claim 61, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 63. The body composition meter according to claim 61, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 64. The body composition meter according to claim 63, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 65. The body composition meter according to claim 64, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 66. The body composition meter according to claim 65, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 67. The body composition meter according to claim 63, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 68. The body composition meter according to claim 67, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 69. The body composition meter according to claim 68, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 70. The body composition meter according to claim 69, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 71. The body composition meter according to claim 61, wherein the specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz is a frequency of 256 kHz, and the specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz is a frequency of 5 kHz.
  - 72. The body composition meter according to claim 71, further comprising:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section acquires the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width acquired by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 73. The body composition meter according to claim 71, further comprising a support that supports the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes to make the electrodes contact the specific body part.
  - 74. The body composition meter according to claim 73, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 75. The body composition meter according to claim 74, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 76. The body composition meter according to claim 75, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 77. The body composition meter according to claim 73, wherein the support has a shape which fits the shape of the surface of the specific body part that makes contact with the electrodes and has a flexible portion at least in a portion thereof.
  - 78. The body composition meter according to claim 77, wherein the support comprises:
    - a body part width acquiring section, and a display section, wherein the body part width acquiring section measures the width of the specific body part, and the display section displays the specific body part width measured by the body part width acquiring section as the width of the shape of a displayed cross section of the specific body part and displays the body composition indicators estimated by the body composition estimating means as the size of the inside of the displayed cross section of the specific body part at the magnification used to display the width of the specific body part.
  - 79. The body composition meter according to claim 78, wherein the body part width acquiring section comprises:
    - an adjustable arm, and encoders, wherein the adjustable arm expands or contracts in the width direction of the specific body part to fit around the specific body part, and the encoders detect the distance when the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 80. The body composition meter according to claim 79, wherein the body part width acquiring section further comprises:
    - contact detecting sensors, and a driving motor, wherein the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part, and the driving motor expands or contracts the adjustable arm and stops the adjustable arm at positions where the contact detecting sensors detect that the adjustable arm is fitted around the specific body part.
  - 81. The body composition meter according to claim 80, wherein the specific body part is the abdomen of a body, and the body composition indicator is at least one selected from the group consisting of a subcutaneous fat thickness, an abdominal muscle thickness, a subcutaneous fat area, a visceral fat area, a total abdominal fat area, a truncal fat percentage and a whole body fat percentage.
  - 82. The body composition meter according to claim 81, wherein the distance between the multiple pairs of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes is a specific distance ranging from 4 cm to 10 cm.
  - 83. The body composition meter according to claim 82, wherein the distance between the measuring electrodes is 8 cm.
  - 84. The body composition meter according to claim 82, wherein the specific distance between the outermost pair of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes is 8 cm, and the specific distance between the innermost pair of current electrodes and the measuring electrodes is 4 cm to 5 cm.
  - 85. The body composition meter according to claim 84, wherein the distance between the measuring electrodes is 8 cm.
  - 86. The body composition meter according to any one of claims 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 or 73, wherein the support changes the distances between ones of the current electrodes and the others of the current electrodes and the distance between one of the measuring electrodes and the other of the measuring electrodes according to the width of the specific body part.
  - 87. The body composition meter according to claim 1, further comprising a body part width acquiring section which acquires the width of the specific body part, the body composition estimating means comprising:
    - an impedance computing section, a body composition computing equation storage section, and a body composition computing section, wherein the impedance computing section computes an impedance based on a current generated between each pair of current electrodes by the current generating section and a voltage detected by the voltage detecting section, the body composition computing equation storage section stores body composition computing equations for computing body composition indicators based on the width of the specific body part acquired by the body part width acquiring section and all of the impedances computed by the impedance computing section, and the body composition computing section computes body composition indicators by substituting the impedances computed by the impedance computing section into the body composition computing equations stored in the body composition computing equation storage section.
  - 88. The body composition meter according to claim 87, wherein the current generating section generates a current such that the frequency of the current gradually lowers from the outermost pair of current electrodes to the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 89. The body composition meter according to claim 88, wherein the current generating section generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz between the outermost pair of current electrodes and generates a current of specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz between the innermost pair of current electrodes.
  - 90. The body composition meter according to claim 20, wherein the specific frequency ranging from 128 kHz to 512 kHz is a frequency of 256 kHz, and the specific frequency ranging from 4 kHz to 12.5 kHz is a frequency of 5 kHz.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
Original Assignee
Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
Inventors
Kasahara, Yasuhiro

Application Number

US11/190,190
Publication Number

US 20060025701A1
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

600/547
CPC Class Codes

A61B 5/0537   Measuring body composition ...

A61B 5/107   Measuring physical dimensio...

A61B 5/4869   Determining body composition

A61B 5/4872   Body fat

A61B 5/6823   Trunk, e.g., chest, back, a...

A61B 5/6835   Supports or holders, e.g., ...

Body composition meter

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

34 Citations

90 Claims

Specification

Use Cases

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Body composition meter

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

34 Citations

90 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Use Cases

Quick Links

Others