JP2006122458A - Probe holder for near infrared imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
The adhesion of the conventional holder to the scalp or hair is improved, and the hair that has been removed from the probe mounting hole position by separation before measurement is naturally moved again to the probe mounting hole position by the time of measurement. This reduces the decrease in measurement reliability caused by obstructing the transmission of biological information signals.
[Solution]
By fixing the elastic body 11 to the scalp / hair side surface of the holder main body 2A, and improving the adhesion between the holder 1A and the scalp or the hair by the elastic force of the elastic body 11 and increasing the fixing force of the hair before measurement, The hair removed by separating from the position of the probe attachment hole 3 is prevented from returning naturally to the position of the probe attachment hole 3 before measurement, and the decrease in the measurement sensitivity of the biological information signal is improved.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a near-infrared optical imaging apparatus such as a multi-channel oxygen monitor that measures biological information non-invasively using an optical signal.

  The near-infrared optical imaging device is mainly composed of a light source that generates and supplies light to be irradiated to a test object such as a human head, an optical fiber that transmits light from the light source, and an end of the optical fiber. A plurality of light-transmitting probes, a plurality of light-receiving probes that receive light scattered / reflected from the object under test, with the end of the optical fiber as a main component, and the light-transmitting probe and the light-receiving probe are closely fixed to the object under test A probe holding holder (hereinafter abbreviated as “holder”), an optical fiber that transmits light received by the light receiving probe, and a received light signal analysis circuit that detects and analyzes the received light.

  The holder is provided with a probe mounting hole at a predetermined position, and the light transmitting probe and the light receiving probe are alternately fixed to the probe mounting hole of the holder one by one. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish individual probes, the probes are abbreviated as probes, and a light transmitting probe and a light receiving probe are distinguished from each other, but it is not necessary to distinguish between individual probes. The case is abbreviated as each light transmitting probe and each light receiving probe. Hereinafter, the test subject will be described as a human head.

  The holder is made of a thin plate that can be bent and deformed in the thickness direction along the shape of the human head surface in advance or at the measurement site, such as a thermoplastic thin plate, and is provided with a circular hole for attaching each probe. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The position of the circular hole is usually in accordance with international standards, and the international standard on the coordinate axis origin at the center of the holder and the in-plane orthogonal coordinate axis (hereinafter referred to as the XY coordinate axis) along the shape of the human head surface. It is provided at a point for each predetermined reference interval and an intersection point on a perpendicular line established from the point for each reference interval.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the holder and each probe are attached to the human head. H is the human head. 1 is a holder. Reference numeral 3 denotes a probe mounting hole formed in the holder 1. The FP is an optical fiber that transmits light from a light transmission light source (not shown) to the light transmission probe P. The light transmitting probe P and the light receiving probe C are attached to the holder 1 alternately adjacent to each other. The light receiving probe C is connected to a light receiving signal analyzing circuit (not shown) through an optical fiber FC.

  In order to attach the holder 1 to the correct position of the human head H, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship between the circular hole of the holder 1 and the surface position of the human head H. For this purpose, first, along the surface of the human head H, a direction (hereinafter abbreviated as Y direction) connecting the nose root and the occipital nodule (Inion), its center line, and the Y direction passing through the center line. A direction connecting the right and left auricular anterior points orthogonal to each other (hereinafter abbreviated as X direction) and the midpoint thereof are measured using a distance measuring instrument such as a tape measure, and the XY coordinate axis origin of the holder 1 is set to the midpoint. A center point mark is marked on the scalp as a corresponding position (hereinafter abbreviated as a center point). Next, an axial mark is also marked on the scalp at one or more points that are on the X or Y direction and are a multiple of the reference interval from the central point, and the direction connecting the central point mark and the axial mark is indicated. The holder 1 is fixed so as to coincide with the XY coordinate axis origin and the coordinate axis direction of the holder 1.

  After these preparations, light is supplied from each light transmitting probe P to the human head H, and the light from each light receiving probe C is detected and analyzed to obtain biological information inside the human head H. By the received light signal analysis, biological information near the center of a square area surrounded by the two adjacent light transmitting probes P and the two light receiving probes C is obtained. That is, a line connecting one arbitrary light transmitting probe P and a light receiving probe C adjacent thereto is defined as one side, and a line connecting another light transmitting probe P adjacent to the arbitrary light transmitting probe P in the direction perpendicular to the line is connected. Considering a square as another side, it is known that biometric information in the vicinity of the center and several centimeters in depth can be obtained for each square area. The square is called a channel, and one side thereof, that is, a pair of distances between a certain light transmitting probe P and a light receiving probe C adjacent thereto is called a channel length. When the channel length is 3 cm, biological information with a depth of about 1.5 to 2 cm can be obtained. This information is information corresponding to the brain activity at that position. The channel length is synonymous with the reference interval.

  The configuration and operation of the conventional holder 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the holder 1 shows a shape developed on a plane. FIG. 6 shows the shape of the holder 1 as viewed from the top, that is, the surface on which the light transmitting probe P and the light receiving probe C of FIG. In FIG. 6, 1 is a holder which is an assembly of the following elements, 2 is a holder body, and 3 is a probe mounting hole formed in the holder body 2 for mounting the light transmitting probe P and the light receiving probe C. In each probe mounting hole 3, the light transmitting probe P and the light receiving probe C are alternately mounted so that the light transmitting probe P and the light receiving probe C are necessarily adjacent to each other.

  That is, for example, when the light transmission probe P is attached to the origin of the XY coordinate axis (pointing to the center of the holder main body 2), the light reception probe C, the light transmission probe P, and the light reception probe C are provided for each probe attachment hole 3 in the positive direction of the X axis. Each probe is attached in this order. Similarly, the light transmitting probe P or the light receiving probe C is attached to the negative direction of the X axis and the positive and negative directions of the Y axis. Further, the light-transmitting probes P or the light-receiving probes C are alternately attached in the perpendicular direction set at every reference interval of the XY axes. M is drilled in the holder body 2 with a measurement position index indicating the center position of a square having the two light transmitting probes P and the two light receiving probes C as apexes. A pair of a certain probe mounting hole 3 and a probe mounting hole 3 adjacent thereto is called a channel as described above. Bands 4 and 5 are band-like parts fixed to the holder body 2 for reinforcement of the holder body 2 and visual recognition of the XY axes.

  At the time of measurement, as a preparation, in order to attach the holder 1 to the correct position of the human head H shown in FIG. 5, the Y direction connecting the nasal root and the occipital nodule along the surface of the human head H as described above. And the midpoint of the X direction connecting the left and right auricular points passing through the centerline and orthogonal to the Y direction, and a center point mark is marked at the center point of the XY direction on the scalp. Next, an axial mark is also marked on the scalp at one or more points that are on the X or Y direction and are a multiple of the reference interval from the central point, and the direction connecting the central point mark and the axial mark is indicated. The holder 1 is semi-fixed so as to coincide with the origin of the XY coordinate axes and the coordinate axis direction of the holder 1. Thereafter, the subject's hair is scrubbed and moved so as to be removed from the position of the probe mounting hole 3, and the holder 1 is fixed.

  After the above preparation is completed, light is transmitted from a light transmission light source (not shown) to each light transmission probe P to irradiate the human head H, and the light extracted from each light reception probe C at that time is subjected to light reception signal analysis. By analyzing the signal with a circuit (not shown), biological information in the vicinity of each measurement position index M is obtained. As described above, when the channel length is 3 cm, information corresponding to the brain activity in the vicinity of a depth of 1.5 cm to 2 cm can be obtained. In FIG. 6, the number of probe mounting holes 3 of the holder 1 is shown as seven in the X or Y direction, but this number may be increased or decreased as necessary.

JP 2002-143169 (page 1-15)

  The structure of the holder 1 of the conventional near-infrared light imaging apparatus is as described above. With this structure, it is difficult to obtain a correct biological information signal from the human head H. That is, in order to capture brain activation by near-infrared light imaging, it is necessary that near-infrared light irradiated from the light transmission probe P through the optical fiber FP reaches the brain surface as much as possible without attenuation. It is necessary to capture biological information signals generated by infrared light from the brain as much as possible, and measurement becomes difficult when there are obstacles such as hair in the path of the near-infrared light signal (hereinafter referred to as the optical path). .

  For this reason, in order to efficiently irradiate the human head H with the optical signal from the light transmission probe P and efficiently capture the biological information signal from the human head H to the light receiving probe C when the holder 1 is mounted. Preparations are made so that the hair of the attachment hole 3 is divided and moved to the periphery of the probe attachment hole 3 so that each probe is brought into close contact with the scalp. However, in the conventional holder 1, the degree of adhesion between the scalp or the hair and the holder 1 is weak, and the separated hair has re-moved by the time of measurement, often returning to the position of the probe mounting hole 3, and measuring the biological information signal. Had reduced the reliability. The object of the present invention is to provide means for solving such problems.

  In order to solve the above problems, the holder of the near-infrared light imaging apparatus provided by the present invention is provided with an elastic body on the surface in contact with the scalp or scalp, and the holder and the scalp or the scalp by the elastic force of the elastic body. Improves the degree of adhesion with the hair and increases the fixing power of the hair.

  As an effect of the present invention, the hair removed from the optical path by sorting in the measurement preparation stage is fixed at that position and does not return to the optical path, so near-infrared light efficiently reaches the brain surface. The biological information signal from is efficiently detected, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

  In the holder of the near-infrared light imaging apparatus, an elastic body is disposed on the surface that contacts the scalp or hair.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows the shape of the holder 1A as seen from the scalp side, that is, the opposite side to FIG. In FIG. 1A, parts having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 or 6 are the same as those in FIG. 1A is a holder, 2A is a holder body, and 3 is a probe mounting hole formed in the holder body 2A. 11 is a hollow cylindrical elastic body fixed to the surface of the holder main body 2A that contacts the scalp or scalp by a method such as adhesion, and the same number as the probe mounting holes 3 is attached with the probe mounting holes 3 aligned with the center. It has been. As the elastic body 11, for example, silicon rubber, styrene / butadiene rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, polyethylene rubber, sponge-like material made of fluorine rubber, or the like can be used. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the holder 1 </ b> A when the holder 1 </ b> A is virtually cut along a line connecting the centers of the probe attachment holes 3. FIG. 1C shows an example of contact between the elastic body 11 and the scalp 12. FIG. 1D shows an example of contact between the elastic body 11 and the hair 13. FIGS. 1C and 1D show the case where the light transmission probe P shown in FIG. 5 is fitted in the probe mounting hole 3 shown in FIG. 1B. The contact state of the elastic body 11 and the scalp 12 or the elastic body 11 and the hair 13 is similar when the light receiving probe C shown in FIG.

  At the time of measurement, as a preparation, first place the holder 1A along the surface of the human head H shown in FIG. To do. Thereafter, the subject's hair 13 is sown and the hair 13 is moved from the position of the probe mounting hole 3 to fix the position of the holder 1A. After completion of the above preparation, the human head H is irradiated with light from each light transmitting probe P, and light from each light receiving probe C is detected and analyzed to obtain biological information inside the human head H. In FIG. 1, the number of the probe attachment holes 3 of the holder main body 2A is seven in the X or Y direction, but this number may be increased or decreased as necessary.

  FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a planar elastic body 11P is affixed to the holder body 2A, and the elastic body 11P exhibits the same effect as the elastic body 11 of the first embodiment. Since the operation at the time of measurement in this example is similar to the operation in Example 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a bushing-shaped elastic body 11B is fitted to the holder main body 2A, and the elastic body 11B is subjected to the same operation as the elastic body 11 of the first embodiment. Since the operation at the time of measurement in this example is similar to the operation in Example 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the holder 1M shown in FIG. 4A is composed of element components such as a probe attachment ring 3C, a flexible support plate 6, an elastic body 11M, and a nut 3D. The probe attachment ring 3C has the same function as the probe attachment hole 3 of the first embodiment, and the elastic body 11M has the same function as the elastic body 11 of the first embodiment and is subjected to the same operation. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the assembly order of the respective component parts. First, the required number of flexible support plates 6 are inserted into the probe mounting ring 3 and then the elastic body 11M is inserted, and the human head shown in FIG. After determining the shape of the holder 1M along the scalp shape of the part H, the whole is fixed by the nut 3D. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the elastic body 11M. Since the operation at the time of measurement in this example is similar to the operation in Example 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified embodiments can be given. For example, the structure of the holder is not limited to a sheet structure such as the holder 1A shown in FIG. 1A, and a net-like structure such as the holder 1M shown in FIG. 4A can be used. The present invention is not limited to the structure of the holder. In addition to the structure and shape of the elastic body, in addition to those described in the first to fourth embodiments, the surface of each elastic body has irregularities, or ring-shaped elastic bodies such as the elastic body 11 and the elastic body 11M. Various structures and shapes can be used such as a ring-shaped protrusion or a large number of dot-shaped protrusions added to the surface that contacts the scalp 12 or the hair 13, and the method of fixing to the holder can also be bonded or fitted. In addition to wearing, various methods can be used. Furthermore, it is possible to select various types of elastic bodies for the same holder and use various quantities. Moreover, although the example of the material of the elastic body 11 was shown in Example 1, it is clear that these materials can be used also for the elastic bodies 11P, 11B, and 11M of Examples 2-4. The present invention includes all of these.

  The present invention is applied to a near-infrared light imaging apparatus such as a multichannel oxygen monitor that measures information inside a living body using an optical signal non-invasively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These are figures which show the 1st Example of this invention. These are figures which show the 2nd Example of this invention. These are figures which show the 3rd Example of this invention. These are figures which show the 4th Example of this invention. These are figures which show the mounting state of the holder to a human body head. Is a conventional example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Holder 1A Holder 1M Holder 2 Holder main body 2A Holder main body 3 Probe attachment hole 3C Probe attachment ring 3D Nut 4 Band 5 Band 6 Flexible support plate 11 Elastic body 11B Elastic body 11P Elastic body 11M Elastic body 12 Scalp 13 Head hair C Light reception Probe FC Optical fiber FP Optical fiber H Human head M Measurement position index P Light transmission probe

Claims (3)

  In a near-infrared light imaging apparatus provided with a probe holding holder for tightly fixing a light transmitting probe and a light receiving probe to a device under test, the probe holding holder is provided with an elastic body on a surface contacting the scalp or hair. A near-infrared light imaging apparatus.   2. The near-infrared light imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is disposed only in a region around the light transmitting probe and the light receiving probe on a surface contacting the scalp or hair.   3. A sponge-like material made of silicon rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, polyethylene rubber, or fluorine rubber is used as the elastic body. Infrared light imaging device.

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