This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-225141 filed on Nov. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an electronic device.
Conventionally, electronic devices that acquire biological information of a subject in a state being worn on the wrist of the subject are known (e.g., see PTL 1 and PTL 2).
PTL 1: WO 2016/174839 A1
PTL 2: WO 2016/194308 A1
One aspect of an electronic device includes a base and a meter that can be displaced along a plane intersecting a surface of the base. The meter includes an arm that can be displaced in a direction approximately parallel to a displacement direction of the meter in accordance with a pulse wave of a subject, and a sensor capable of detecting a displacement of the arm in accordance with the pulse wave.
It can be hard for an electronic device to accurately acquire biological information, depending on its state being worn. An electronic device configured to facilitate more accurate acquisition of the biological information improves usability for a subject. The present disclosure relates to providing an electronic device capable of improving usability. According to one embodiment, an electronic device capable of improving usability can be provided. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
According to the present embodiment, the base 111 has an approximately rectangular flat plate-like shape. Hereinafter, an x-axis direction corresponds to a transverse direction of the base 111 that has the approximately rectangular plate-like shape, a y-axis direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the base 111, and a z-axis direction corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the base 111. The electronic device 100 is partially movable as described herein, and directions mentioned herein relative to the electronic device 100 will refer to the x, y, and z directions in the state illustrated in
The electronic device 100 measures biological information of a subject when the electronic device 100 is worn by a subject using the wearing portion 110. The biological information to be measured by the electronic device 100 is a pulse wave of the subject that can be measured by the meter 120. In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 will be described as being configured to acquire a pulse wave when the subject is wearing the electronic device 100 on the wrist, by way of example.
The meter 120 includes a main body 121, an exterior portion 122, and a sensor 130. The sensor 130 is attached to the main body 121. The meter 120 is attached to the base 111 via a connecting portion 123.
The connecting portion 123 may be attached to the base 111 in a manner to be able to rotate along the surface of the base 111 with respect to the base 111. In the example illustrated in
The exterior portion 122 is connected to the connecting portion 123 on an axis S1 that passes through the connecting portion 123. The axis S1 is an axis extending in the x-axis direction. Such connection of the exterior portion 122 to the connecting portion 123 in this manner enables the exterior portion 122 to be displaced along a plane intersecting the xy plane in which the base 111 extends, with respect to the connecting portion 123. That is, the exterior portion 122 can be inclined at a prescribed angle about the axis S1 on the xy plane in which the base 111 extends. For example, the exterior portion 122 can be displaced in a state sitting on a plane such as a yz plane having a predetermined inclination with respect to the xy plane. According to the present embodiment, the exterior portion 122 may be connected to the connecting portion 123 in a manner to be able to rotate about the axis S1 on the yz plane orthogonal to the xy plane, as indicated by an arrow B in
The exterior portion 122 includes a contact surface 122a that comes into contact with the wrist of the subject when the electronic device 100 is worn. The exterior portion 122 may include an opening 125 on the same side as the contact surface 122a. The exterior portion 122 may be configured to cover the main body 121.
The exterior portion 122 may include a shaft 124 that extends in the z-axis direction within an inner space thereof. The main body 121 has an opening into which the shaft 124 is inserted and, in a state in which the shaft 124 is inserted into the opening, the main body 121 is arranged in the inner space of the exterior portion 122. That is, the main body 121 is attached to the exterior portion 122 in a manner to be able to rotate about the shaft 124 on the xy plane with respect to the exterior portion 122, as indicated by an arrow C illustrated in
The sensor 130 is attached to the main body 121. Here, the sensor 130 will be described in detail with reference to
The sensor 130 includes a first arm 134 and a second arm 135. The second arm 135 is fixed to the main body 121. A first end 135a of the second arm 135 is connected to a first end 134a of the first arm 134. The first arm 134 is connected to the second arm 135 in such a manner that a portion of the first arm 134 in the vicinity of a second end 134b can rotate about the first end 134a on the yz plane, as indicated by an arrow E in
The portion of the first arm 134 in the vicinity of the second end 134b is connected to a portion of the second arm 135 in the vicinity of a second end 135b via an elastic member 140. In a state in which the elastic member 140 is not pressed, the first arm 134 is supported by the second arm 135 in such a manner that the second end 134b of the sensor 130 protrudes toward the contact surface 122a from the opening 125 of the exterior portion 122. The elastic member 140 is, for example, a spring. However, the elastic member 140 is not limited to a spring and may be any other elastic member such as, for example, a resin or a sponge.
A pulse contact portion 132 is attached to the second end 134b of the first arm 134. The pulse contact portion 132 is a member that comes into contact with a measured part of the subject for the measurement of a pulse wave of the blood when the electronic device 100 is worn. According to the present embodiment, the pulse contact portion 132 contacts, for example, a position where the ulnar artery or the radial artery exists. The pulse contact portion 132 may be formed from a material that is not likely to absorb a change occurred on the body surface due to the pulse of the subject. The pulse contact portion 132 may be formed from a material that does not cause pain to the subject when being in contact with the subject. For example, the pulse contact portion 132 may be formed by a cloth bag filled with beads. For example, the pulse contact portion 132 may be detachably attached to the first arm 134. For example, the subject may select and wear one pulse contact portion 132 from a plurality of pulse contact portions 132, in accordance with the size and/or shape of the wrist of the subject. In this way, the subject can use the pulse contact portion 132 that matches the size and/or shape of the wrist of the subject.
The sensor 130 includes an angular velocity sensor 131 for detecting displacement of the first arm 134. The angular velocity sensor 131 needs to simply detect an angular displacement of the first arm 134. The sensor 130 is not limited to include the angular velocity sensor 131 and may include, for example, an acceleration sensor, an angle sensor, other motion sensors, or any combination thereof.
According to the present embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is worn, the pulse contact portion 132 contacts the skin above the radial artery that runs on the thumb side of the right hand of the subject, as illustrated in
In a state in which the elastic member 140 is not pressed, the second end 134b of the first arm 134 protrudes from the opening 125, as illustrated in
The fixing unit 112 is fixed to the base 111. The fixing unit 112 may have a locking mechanism for securing the wearing portion 110. The wearing portion 110 may include various functional units used for the measurement of the pulse wave by the electronic device 100. For example, the wearing portion 110 may include a controller, which will be described later, a power source, a memory, a communication interface, a notification interface, a circuit for operating them, a cable connecting them, and the like.
The wearing portion 110 is a mechanism used by the subject to fix the electronic device 100 on the wrist. In the example illustrated in
Next, the movement of a movable portion of the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is worn will be described.
In order to wear the electronic device 100, the subject inserts the wrist into the space formed by the wearing portion 110, the base 111, and the meter 120 along the x-axis direction, as described above. At this time, because the meter 120 is configured to be able to rotate in the directions indicated by the arrow A in
After inserting the wrist into the space formed by the wearing portion 110, the base 111, and the meter 120, the subject brings the pulse contact portion 132 into contact with the skin above the radial artery in the wrist. Here, because the main body 121 can be displaced in the directions indicated by the arrow D in
Here, when the pulse contact portion 132 contacts the skin above the radial artery in a direction perpendicular to the skin surface, the pulsation transmitted to the first arm 134 is increased. That is, when a displacement direction of the pulse contact portion 132 (the directions indicated by the arrow E in
After bringing the pulse contact portion 132 into contact with the skin above the radial artery in the wrist as illustrated in
The rotating directions of the exterior portion 122 (the direction indicated by the arrow B) and the rotating directions of the first arm 134 (the direction indicated by the arrow E) may be approximately parallel to each other. As the rotating directions of the exterior portion 122 and the rotating directions of the first arm 134 are closer to parallel to each other, the elastic force of the elastic member 140 more effectively acts on the first arm 134 upon displacement of the top end side of the exterior portion 122 in the negative y-axis direction. Note that a range in which the rotating directions of the exterior portion 122 and the rotating directions of the first arm 134 are approximately parallel to each other includes a range in which the elastic force of the elastic member 140 acts on the first arm 134 upon displacement of the top end side of the exterior portion 122 in the negative y-axis direction.
Here, a surface 122b on the front side of the exterior portion 122 illustrated in
Further, when the top end side of the exterior portion 122 is displaced in the negative y-axis direction as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, a rotary axis S2 of the first arm 134 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the negative y-axis direction side of the surface 122b, as illustrated in
The subject wears the electronic device 100 on the wrist by pulling the second end 110b of the wearing portion 110 and, in this state, securing the wearing portion 110 using the fixing mechanism of the fixing unit 112. In a state in which the electronic device 100 is worn on the wrist as described above, the first arm 134 is displaced in the directions indicated by the arrow E in accordance with a change in the pulsation, whereby the electronic device 100 measures the pulse wave of the subject.
The sensor 130 includes an angular velocity sensor 131 and acquires the pulse wave by detecting the pulsation from the measured part.
The controller 143 is a processor configured to control and manage the electronic device 100 in its entirety including each functional block thereof. Also, the controller 143 is a processor configured to calculate an index based on a propagation phenomenon of a pulse wave from an acquired pulse wave. The controller 143 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like configured to execute a program defining a control procedure and a program for calculating the index based on the propagation phenomenon of a pulse wave. These programs are stored in a storage medium such as, for example, the memory 145. The controller 143 is configured to estimate conditions of the subject, such as a glucose metabolism condition or a lipid metabolism condition, based on a calculated index. The controller 143 is configured to transmit data to the notification interface 147.
The power source 144 includes, for example, a lithium-ion battery and a control circuit for charging and discharging the lithium-ion battery, and supplies electric power to the entire electronic device 100.
The memory 145 stores programs and data. The memory 145 may include any non-transitory storage medium, such as a semiconductor storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, or the like. The memory 145 may include a plurality of types of storage media. The memory 145 may include a combination of a portable storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, and a magneto-optical disk, and a reader of the storage medium. The memory 145 may include a storage device to be used as a temporary storage area, such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 145 stores various information and programs for operating the electronic device 100, and functions as a working memory. The memory 145 may store, for example, a pulse wave measurement result acquired by the sensor 130.
The communication interface 146 transmits various data by performing a wired communication or a wireless communication with an external device. The communication interface 146 communicates with, for example, an external device that stores biological information of the subject for the purpose of managing the health condition of the subject, and transmits the pulse wave measurement result acquired by the electronic device 100 and the health condition estimated by the electronic device 100 to the external device.
The notification interface 147 provides notification of information using a sound, a vibration, an image, or the like. The notification interface 147 may include a speaker, a vibrator, or a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (OELD: Organic Electroluminescent Display), or an inorganic EL display (IELD: Inorganic Electroluminescent Display). In the present embodiment, the notification interface 147 provides notification of, for example, the glucose metabolism condition or the lipid metabolism condition of the subject.
A method for calculating an index based on a pulse wave using the acquired pulse wave will be explained with reference to
The pulse wave illustrated in
The index based on the pulse wave is acquired by quantifying the information acquired from the pulse wave. For example, the PWV as an index based on the pulse wave is calculated based on a time difference of the pulse wave measured at two measured parts, such as an upper arm and an ankle, and a distance therebetween. In particular, the PWV is acquired by synchronizing pulse waves at two points of the artery (e.g., the upper arm and the ankle) and dividing the distance between the two points (L) by the time difference (PTT) of the pulse waves at the two points. For example, for the magnitude PR of the reflected wave as one of the indices based on the pulse wave, the PRn representing a magnitude of a peak of a pulse wave by a reflected wave may be calculated, or PRave acquired by averaging the magnitude of the reflected waves for n-times may be calculated. For example, for the time difference Δt between the advancing wave and the reflected wave serving as one of the indices based on the pulse wave, a time difference Δtn of a predetermined pulse or Δtave acquired by averaging the time difference for n-times may be calculated. For example, the AI as one of the indices based on the pulse wave is acquired by dividing a magnitude of the reflected wave by a magnitude of the advancing wave, and expressed by AIn=(PRn−PSn)/(PFn−PSn). The AIn represents the AI of each pulse. For the AI, for example, the average AIave that is acquired by measuring the pulse wave for a few seconds and calculating the average value of the AIn (n is an integer of 1 to n) of each pulse may be used as the index based on the pulse wave.
Because the pulse-wave propagation velocity PWV, the magnitude PR of the reflected wave, the time difference Δt between the advancing wave and the reflected wave, and the AI vary in accordance with the rigidity of the blood vessel wall, they can be used to estimate an arteriosclerosis condition. For example, when the blood vessel wall is rigid, the pulse wave propagation velocity PWV increases. For example, when the blood vessel wall is rigid, the magnitude PR of the reflected wave increases. For example, when the blood vessel wall is rigid, the time difference Δt between the reflected wave and the advancing wave decreases. For example, when the blood vessel wall is rigid, the AI increases. Further, the electronic device 100 can estimate blood fluidity (viscosity) in addition to the arteriosclerosis condition, using the index based on the pulse wave. In particular, the electronic device 100 can estimate a change in the blood fluidity, based on a change in an index based on the pulse wave acquired from the same measured parts of the same subject during a period in which the arteriosclerosis condition remains substantially same (e.g. within a few days). Here, the blood fluidity refers to the degree of easiness of the blood flow. For example, when the blood fluidity is low, the pulse-wave propagation velocity PWV of the reflected wave decreases. For example, when the blood fluidity is low, the magnitude PR of the reflected wave decreases. For example, when the blood fluidity is low, the time difference Δt between the advancing wave and the reflected wave increases. For example, when the blood fluidity is low, the AI decreases.
In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 calculates the pulse wave propagation velocity PWV, the magnitude PR of the reflected wave, the time difference Δt between the advancing wave and the reflected waves, or the AI, as the index based on the pulse wave, by way of example. However, the index based on the pulse wave is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 100 may use a rear systolic blood pressure as the index based on the pulse wave.
The electronic device 100 acquired the pulse wave before a meal, immediately after the meal, and every 30 minutes after the meal, and calculated a plurality of AI based on the respective pulse waves. The AI calculated from the pulse wave acquired before the meal was approximately 0.8. The AI immediately after the meal was smaller than that before the meal, and the AI at approximately 1 hour after the meal took a minimum extremum value. Then, the AI gradually increased until the end of the measurement at 3 hours after the meal.
The electronic device 100 can estimate a change in the blood fluidity, based on a change in the calculated AI. For example, when red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets clot forming lumps or increases viscosity, the blood fluidity decreases. For example, when the water content of the plasma in blood decreases, the blood fluidity decreases. Changes in the blood fluidity as described above depend on the health condition of the subject such as, for example, a glycolipids state as will be described later, heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia, or the like. Before the health condition of the subject becomes severe, the subject can recognize a change in the blood fluidity of the subject using the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment. From the change in the AI before and after the meal illustrated in
The blood glucose levels before and after a meal are negatively correlated to the AI calculated from the pulse wave, as illustrated in
The electronic device 100 can estimate a glucose metabolism condition of the subject, based on the occurring time of the minimum extremum value AIP, which is the minimum extremum value of the AI first detected after a meal. The electronic device 100 estimates, for example, the blood glucose level as the glucose metabolism condition. In an example estimation of the glucose metabolism condition, when the minimum extremum value AIP of the AI, which is first detected after a meal, is detected after a predetermined time period (e.g., approximately 1.5 hours or more after a meal), the electronic device 100 can estimate that the subject has a glucose metabolism disorder (i.e., the subject is a diabetic patient).
The electronic device 100 can estimate the glucose metabolism condition of the subject, based on a difference (AIB−AIP) between AIB representing the AI before a meal and the minimum extremum value AIP of the AI first detected after the meal. In an example estimation of the glucose metabolism condition, when the value of (AIB−AIP) is a predetermined value or higher (e.g., 0.5 or more), the electronic device 100 can estimate that the subject has a glucose metabolism abnormality (i.e., the subject is a postprandial hyperglycemia patient).
In contrast, as for the minimum extremum values of the calculated AI, a first minimum extremum value AIP1 was detected at approximately 30 minutes after the meal, and a second minimum extremum value AIP2 was detected at approximately 2 hours after the meal. It can be estimated that the first minimum extremum value AIP1 detected at approximately 30 minutes after the meal is under the influence of the blood glucose level after the meal, as described above. The second minimum extremum value AIP2 detected at approximately 2 hours after the meal is approximately concurrent with the maximum extremum value of triglycerides detected at approximately 2 hours after the meal. Thus, it can be estimated that the second minimum extremum value AIP2 detected after a predetermined time period from the meal is under the influence of triglycerides. It was found that the triglyceride levels before and after the meal are negatively correlated to the AI calculated from the pulse wave, in a manner similar to the blood glucose level. Especially because the minimum extremum value AIP2 of the AI detected after the predetermined time period (approximately 1.5 hours or after in the present embodiment) from the meal is correlated to the triglyceride level, a change in the triglyceride level of the subject can be estimated based on a change in the AI. Also, by preliminarily measuring the triglyceride level of the subject and acquiring its correlation to the AI, the electronic device 100 can estimate the triglyceride level of the subject, based on the calculated AI.
The electronic device 100 can estimate the lipid metabolism condition of the subject, based on the occurrence time of the second minimum extremum value AIP2 detected after the predetermined time period from the meal. The electronic device 100 estimates, for example, a lipid level as the lipid metabolism condition. In an example estimation of the lipid metabolism, when the second minimum extremum AIP2 is detected after the predetermined time period or later (e.g., more than 4 hours) from the meal, the electronic device 100 can estimate that the subject has abnormal lipid metabolism (i.e., the subject is a hyperlipidemia patient).
The electronic device 100 can estimate the lipid metabolism condition, based on a difference (AIB−AIP2) between AIB, which is the AI before a meal, and the second minimum extremum value AIP2 detected after the predetermined time period or later from the meal. In an example estimation of abnormal lipid metabolism, when the difference (AIB−AIP2) is 0.5 or more, the electronic device 100 can estimate that the subject has abnormal lipid metabolism (i.e., the subject is a postprandial hyperlipidemia patient).
Also, from the measurement results illustrated in
Although triglycerides is used in an estimation example of the lipid metabolism in the present embodiment, the estimation target of the lipid metabolism is not limited to triglycerides. A lipid value estimated by the electronic device 100 includes, for example, total cholesterol, “good” cholesterol (HDL: High-density lipoprotein), or “bad” cholesterol (LDL: Low-density lipoprotein). These lipid levels show a trend similar to that of triglycerides described above.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the electronic device 100 acquires the pulse wave (step S102). For example, the electronic device 100 determines whether the pulse wave acquired in a predetermined measuring time (e.g., 5 seconds) has predetermined amplitude or more. In a case in which the acquired pulse wave has the predetermined amplitude or more, the electronic device 100 proceeds to step S103. In a case in which the acquired pulse wave does not have the predetermined amplitude or more, the electronic device 100 repeats step S102 (note that this procedure is not illustrated in the figure). For example, when the electronic device 100 detects the pulse wave having the predetermined amplitude or more in step S102, the electronic device 100 automatically acquires the pulse wave.
The electronic device 100 calculates the AI as an index based on the pulse wave using the pulse wave acquired in step S102, and stores the calculated AI in the memory 145 (step S103). The electronic device 100 may acquire the AI by calculating AIave, the average value of the AI, from AIn (n is an integer of 1 to n) for each predetermined pulse rate (e.g., 3 beats). Alternatively, the electronic device 100 may calculate the AI of a particular pulse.
The AI may be calculated by performing correction using, for example, a pulse rate (PR), a pulse pressure (PF−PS), body temperature, temperature of the measured part, or the like. It is known that there is a negative correlation between the pulse wave and the AI and between the pulse pressure and the AI, and that there is a positive correlation between the temperature and the AI. In performing the correction, in step S103, for example, the electronic device 100 calculates the pulse rate and a pulse pressure in addition to the AI. For example, the electronic device 100 may include a temperature sensor as the sensor 130 and acquire temperature of the measured part when the pulse wave is acquired in step S102. The AI is corrected by substituting the acquired pulse rate, pulse pressure, temperature, and the like for a preliminarily created correction equation.
Next, the electronic device 100 estimates the blood fluidity of the subject by comparing the AI calculated in step S103 to the AI reference value acquired in step S101 (step S104). In a case in which the calculated AI is greater than the AI reference value (in the case of YES), the electronic device 100 estimates that the blood fluidity is high and provides notification such as, for example, “Blood is thin” (step S105). In a case in which the calculated AI is not greater than the AI reference value (in the case of NO), the electronic device 100 estimates that the blood fluidity is low and provides notification such as, for example, ‘Blood is thick” (step S106).
Next, the electronic device 100 asks the subject regarding whether to estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition (step S107). In a case in which the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition are not to be estimated in step S107 (in the case of NO), the electronic device 100 ends the procedure. In a case in which the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition are to be estimated in step S107 (in the case of YES), the electronic device 100 checks whether the calculated AI is acquired before or after a meal (step S108). In a case in which the calculated AI is not a postprandial value (i.e., the calculated AI is acquired before a meal) (in the case of NO), the electronic device 100 returns to step S102 and acquires the next pulse wave. In a case in which the calculated AI is a postprandial value (in the case of YES), the electronic device 100 stores the acquisition time of the pulse wave corresponding to the calculated AI (step S109). In a case in which the pulse wave is to be acquired subsequently (in the case of NO in step S110), the electronic device 100 returns to step S102 and acquires the next pulse wave. In a case in which the measurement of the pulse wave is to be ended (in the case of YES in step S110), the electronic device 100 proceeds to step S111 and the following steps and estimates the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject.
Next, the electronic device 100 extracts the minimum extremum value and its occurrence time from a plurality of AI calculated in step S103 (step S111). For example, in a case in which the calculated AI show the values as indicated by the solid line in
Next, the electronic device 100 estimates the glucose metabolism condition of the subject, based on the first minimum extremum value AIP1 and its occurrence time (step S112). Further, the electronic device 100 estimates the lipid metabolism condition of the subject, based on the second minimum extremum value AIP2 and its occurrence time (step S113). Example estimations of the glucose metabolism condition and lipid metabolism condition of the subject are similar to those described above with reference to
Next, the electronic device 100 provides notification of the estimation results of the step S112 and step S113 (step S114) and ends the procedure illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 can estimate the blood fluidity, the glucose metabolism condition, and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject using the index based on the pulse wave. Thus, the electronic device 100 can estimate the blood fluidity, the glucose metabolism condition, and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject in a fast and non-invasive manner.
In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 can estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition using the extremum values of the index based on the pulse wave and their occurrence times. Thus, the electronic device 100 can estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition in a fast and non-invasive manner.
In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 can estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject referring to the index based on the pulse wave acquired before a meal (i.e., when the stomach is empty). Thus, the blood fluidity, the glucose metabolism condition, and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject can be accurately estimated without the necessity for regarding the diameter and the rigidity of the blood vessel that do not change in a short time period.
In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 can estimate the glucose level and the lipid value in a fast and non-invasive manner, by preliminarily performing calibration between the index based on the pulse wave, the blood glucose level, and the lipid level.
Although in the system according to the present embodiment the electronic device 100 and the mobile terminal 150 are connected via the communication network using the server 151, the system according to the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. In the system, the electronic device 100 and the mobile terminal 150 may be directly connected via the communication network without using the server 151.
Characteristic embodiments have been described in order to completely and clearly disclose the present disclosure. However, the appended claims are not to be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above, and can realize all modifications and alternative configurations that can be created by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic matters described herein.
For example, although in the embodiment described above the sensor 130 includes the angular velocity sensor 131, the electronic device 100 is not limited to such a configuration. The sensor 130 may include an optical pulse wave sensor equipped with a light emitting unit and a photodetector, or may include a pressure sensor. Also, a wearing position of the electronic device 100 is not limited to the wrist, and the sensor 130 simply needs to be positioned over the artery in the neck, ankle, thigh, ear, or the like.
In the above embodiment, for example, the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition of the subject are estimated based on the first extremum value and the second extremum value, respectively, based on the pulse wave and their occurrence times. However, the operation performed by the electronic device 100 is not limited thereto. There may be a case in which only one of the extremum values appear, or both the extremum values do not appear. In this case, the electronic device 100 may estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition, based on a calculated overall trend (e.g., integral value, Fourier transform, or the like) of time variation of the index based on the pulse wave. The electronic device 100 may estimate the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition, based on a time range in which the index based on the pulse wave falls below a specified value, rather than extracting the extremum values of the index based on the pulse wave.
For example, although in the above embodiment the blood fluidity before and after a meal is estimated, the operation performed by the electronic device 100 is not limited thereto. The electronic device 100 may estimate the blood fluidity before, during, and after exercise, or before, during, and after taking a bath.
In the above embodiment, the natural frequency of the first arm 134 may be set to be close to the frequency of the pulse wave to be acquired. For example, when the frequency of the pulse wave to be acquired is 0.5 to 2 Hz (pulsation: 30 to 120), the first arm 134 may have any natural frequency in a range of 0.5 to 2 Hz. The natural frequency of the first arm 134 can be optimized by varying the length or weight of the first arm 134, or the elastic modulus, the spring constant, or the like of the elastic member 140. By optimizing the natural frequency of the first arm 134, the electronic device 100 can perform measurement more accurately.
Although in the above embodiment the electronic device 100 measures the pulse wave, the pulse wave does not necessarily need to be measured by the electronic device 100. For example, the electronic device 100 may be connected to an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a mobile phone in a wired or wireless manner and may transmit information regarding an angular velocity acquired by the angular velocity sensor 131 to the information processing apparatus. In this case, the information processing apparatus may measure the pulse wave, based on the information regarding the angular velocity. The information processing apparatus may perform the estimation operation of the glucose metabolism condition and the lipid metabolism condition. In a case in which the information processing apparatus connected to the electronic device 100 performs various information processing, the electronic device 100 does not need to include the controller 143, the memory 145, the notification interface 147, or the like. Also, in a case in which the electronic device 100 is connected to the information processing apparatus in a wired manner, the electronic device 100 does not need to include the power source 144 and may receive electric power from the information processing apparatus.
The electronic device 100 does not need to include all of the movable units described in the above embodiments. The electronic device 100 may have only some of the movable units from the movable units described in the above embodiments. For example, the meter 120 does not need to be able to rotate with respect to the base 111. For example, the main body 121 does not need to be displaceable in the up-down direction with respect to the exterior portion 122. For example, the main body 121 does not need to be able to rotate with respect to the exterior portion 122.
In the above embodiment, when the subject pulls the second end 110b of the wearing portion 110, the top end side of the exterior portion 122 is displaced in the negative y-axis direction. However, the exterior portion 122 may be configured such that the top end side thereof is displaced by another mechanism. For example, a mechanism capable of applying a pressure in the negative y-axis direction may be attached to the top end side of the fixing unit 112 so as to push the top end side of the exterior portion 122 in the negative y-axis direction. Such a mechanism can be configured using, for example, a ball screw.
Although in the example illustrated in
In the above embodiment, further, the end portion 122d functions as a stopper. In the present disclosure, however, the portion that functions as the stopper is not limited to the end portion 122d. For example, a stopper 200 may be provided to the main body 121, as illustrated in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2017-225141 | Nov 2017 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2018/040699 | 11/1/2018 | WO | 00 |