Probe holder mounting device for biological photometric device

The present invention relates to a probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device, which is used when mounting a probe holder of a biological photometric device to a subject.

In a conventional probe device, a plurality of probes are arranged on a shell portion in a lattice-like fashion. A belt is connected to the shell portion via a strap, and, by wrapping the belt around the chin, the shell portion is mounted to the head. The shell portion is formed of a soft rubber such as silicone rubber so that the shell portion may extend in conformity with the head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: JP 2001-286449 A

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the above-described conventional method of mounting the shell portion, the belt is wrapped around the chin, so the subject is subjected to feeling of tightness. Further, fine adjustment of the probe positions is rather difficult to perform, resulting in rather poor reproducibility of the mounting position.

The present invention has been made with a view toward solving the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device which allows easy mounting to a subject without involving excessive tightness and which allows fine adjustment of probe holder positions.

Means for Solving the Problems

A probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device according to the present invention includes: a probe holder having a probe mounting part for fixing in position an optical fiber probe; a mounting device body into which the probe mounting part is inserted to fix the probe holder in position; a belt connected to both longitudinal ends of the mounting device body for tightening around the head of a subject; and an adjusting belt connected to a lateral end of the mounting device body and to the probe holder.

[ FIG. 1 ] A plan view of a probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[ FIG. 2 ] A plan view of an example of a probe holder.

[ FIG. 3 ] A front view of a head of a subject to which the probe holders and the probe holder mounting device of FIG. 1 are mounted.

[ FIG. 4 ] A perspective view of the subject of FIG. 3 .

[ FIG. 5 ] A perspective view of the subject of FIG. 3 as seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 4 .

[ FIG. 6 ] A plan view of the probe holder mounting device of FIG. 1 as combined with a different type of probe holder.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with two probe holders 1 mounted thereto. In the figure, each probe holder 1 is equipped with a plurality of probe mounting parts (sockets) 2 to which optical fiber probes are to be mounted. The probe mounting parts 2 are arranged in a matrix-like fashion. The base portions of the probe holders 1 are formed of a flexible material such as silicone rubber.

The probe holders 1 are mounted to the head of the subject by using a probe holder mounting device 3 . The probe holder mounting device 3 has a band-like mounting device body 4 , belts 5 a , 5 b respectively connected to both longitudinal ends of the mounting device body 4 and tightening around the head of the subject, a main buckle 6 provided on the one belt 5 a serves as a main fastening member, a strap-like core 7 fixed in position so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the mounting device body 4 , a plurality of adjusting strap buckles 8 a through 8 f mounted at intervals to the mounting device body 4 , and a plurality of adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c connected to the mounting device body 4 either through the intermediation of the adjusting strap buckles 8 a through 8 f or directly.

The mounting device body 4 is formed of an expandable cloth and is wrapped around the subject when mounting the probe holders 1 to the subject. The mounting device body 4 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 4 a for inserting the probe mounting parts 2 of the probe holders 1 . The insertion holes 4 a are provided by using a pair of scissors or the like in conformity with the positions of the probe mounting parts 2 of the probe holders 1 used.

As shown in FIG. 1 , six insertion holes 4 a are respectively provided on the right-hand and left-hand sides of the mounting device body 4 . That is, each probe holder 1 has the nine probe mounting parts 2 , of which six are inserted into the insertion holes 4 a and three are not inserted into the insertion holes 4 a . In this way, it is not always necessary for all the probe mounting parts 2 to be inserted into the insertion holes 4 a.

The mounting device body 4 is symmetrically provided with lattice-like mark lines 4 b serving as positional guides in providing the insertion holes 4 a . When providing the insertion holes 4 a , by referring to the mark lines 4 b , it is possible to provide the insertion holes 4 a symmetrically, with the result that the probe holders 1 can be arranged symmetrically. Band-like extension parts 4 c , 4 d are connected to the right and left ends of the mounting device body 4 .

When mounting the probe holders 1 to the head of the subject, the mounting device body 4 is wrapped around the head so as to fit the core 7 in conformity with the forehead, and the end portion of the belt 5 b is connected to the main buckle 6 . The belts 5 a , 5 b and the main buckle 6 connect the end portions of the mounting device body 4 , and function as a connection adjusting means for adjusting the tightening force in conformity with the size of the head. The tightening force is adjusted to a minimum force needed to fix the mounting device body 4 to the head.

The core 7 is formed of a material having no expandability (a material whose expandability is sufficiently lower than that of the mounting device body 4 ) so that the core 7 may not impart to the head tightening stronger than the tightening force adjusted by the belts 5 a , 5 b and the main buckle 6 . Variations in the outer peripheral length of the head of the subject are coped with by the belt 5 b and the main buckle 6 . Further, the mounting device body 4 is equipped with the extension parts 4 c , 4 d for mounting the probe holder mounting device 3 to the head. By connecting the extension parts 4 c , 4 d at the back of the head, the probe holder mounting device 3 can be mounted to the head. In this way, by effecting tightening using the extension parts 4 c , 4 d , it is also possible to mount the probe holder mounting device 3 to the head without using the belts 5 a , 5 b and the main buckle 6 .

The adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c are thin belt-like straps having a width, for example, of approximately 10 mm, and, when mounting the probe holders 1 to the subject, they are stretched between two different points on the mounting device body 4 , and are engaged with the probe holders 1 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , one end portion of the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b is connected to the adjusting buckles 8 b , 8 f , respectively, arranged at symmetrical positions. When mounting the probe holders 1 to the subject, the intermediate portions of the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b are engaged with slits 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , 1 d , etc. of the probe holders 1 , and each of the other end portions of the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b are connected to one of the buckles 8 a , 8 c , 8 d , 8 f situated on the opposite side of the one end portions. The adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c are connected to a lateral end of the mounting device body 4 and to the probe holders.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of the probe holder with the probe mounting parts 2 being arranged in a 4×4 matrix. The probe holder 1 is formed of a material such as silicone in a bowl-like shape to conform with the configuration of the head of the subject. The probe holder 1 is curved such that the curvature thereof decreases gradually from the central portion toward the peripheral ends thereof. A plurality of rectangular openings 12 are provided in order to facilitate fine adjustment of the probe holder 1 through bending in conformity with the size and configuration of the head of the subject.

At the four corners of the probe holder 1 , there are provided the slits 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , 1 d , etc. The adjusting strap 9 a is passed through the slits 1 a , 1 b for engagement, and the slits are large enough to allow passage of the adjusting strap 9 a.

The probe mounting parts 2 serve to fix optical fiber probes in position. In the probe mounting parts 2 , irradiation optical fiber probes and light collection optical fiber probes are alternately arranged. A cutout 2 b is provided in a part of the circumference of each probe mounting part 2 . That is, each probe mounting part 2 has a C-shaped sectional configuration. Since it is possible to observe the forward end of the mounted probe through the cutout 2 b , it is possible to perform setting while checking the way the probe is mounted in relation to the head surface. Further, it is possible to insert a hair avoiding jig, an air blower, or the like into the cutout 2 b , making it possible to avoid hair. In the inner peripheral surface of each probe mounting part 2 , there is provided a recess 2 a for fixing the optical fiber probe in position, and the optical fiber probe is provided with a protrusion adapted to be fitted into the recess 2 a . Thus, the optical fiber probe is fixed to the probe mounting part 2 without looseness, keeping a fixed distance between the optical fiber probe and the subject. Further, grooves for locking the mounting device body 4 are provided in the outer peripheral surfaces of the probe mounting parts 2 . By locking the mounting device body 4 to those grooves, the mounting device body 4 is fixed to the probe mounting parts 2 .

Further, slits 11 are provided at fixed intervals in the outer periphery of the probe holder 1 . When fixing the probe holder 1 and the mounting device body 4 to each other through integration, straps or the like are passed through the mounting device body 4 and the slits 11 at the positions where the slits 11 and the mounting device body 4 overlap each other. It is also possible to pass the adjusting strap 9 a through the slits 11 .

The intermediate portions of the adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c are engaged with the probe holders 1 by being inserted into the slits 1 a . Thus, by adjusting the positions where the adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c are connected with the adjusting strap buckles 8 a through 8 f , it is possible to effect fine adjustment of the distance between the probe holders 1 and the distances between the adjusting strap buckles 8 a through 8 f and the probe holders 1 . Further, the probe holders 1 are made to extend in conformity with the configuration of the head, thereby enhancing the intimateness with which the probe holders 1 are held in contact with the head. The adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c may be passed through other holes of the probe holders 1 or wrapped around the probe mounting parts 2 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of the head of the subject to which the probe holders 1 and the probe holder mounting device 3 of FIG. 1 are mounted, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the subject of FIG. 3 , and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject of FIG. 3 as seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 4 . There are no particular limitations regarding the arrangement of the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b , and the arrangement is determined as appropriate according to the type of probe holders 1 used, the size of the head of the subject, etc.

The connection of the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b will be described specifically. The start end portion of the adjusting strap 9 a is fixed to the buckle 8 b . The adjusting strap 9 a fixed to the buckle 8 b is passed through the slit 1 c on the head-front side of one probe holder 1 . Further, the adjusting strap 9 a thus passed is passed through the slit 1 a on the head-front side of the other probe holder 1 . Further, the terminal end portion of the adjusting strap 9 a engaged with the two probe holders 1 is fixed with the buckle 8 e . Also, the start end portion of the adjusting strap 9 b is fixed to the buckle 8 f . The adjusting strap 9 b fixed to the buckle 8 f is passed through the slit 1 b on the head-rear side of one probe holder 1 . Further, the adjusting strap 9 b thus passed is passed through the slit 1 d on the head-rear side of the other probe holder 1 . Then, the terminal end portion of the adjusting strap 9 b engaged with the two probe holders 1 is fixed to the buckle 8 a . In this way, the adjusting straps 9 a , 9 b are tightened.

In this mounting example, the adjusting strap 9 c is not used, and thus is removed. Further, the core 7 has a center line 10 indicating the horizontal center of the probe holder mounting device 3 . In this way, there are provided not only the mark lines 4 b for the positioning of the probe holders 1 with respect to the probe holder mounting device 3 , but also a line for the positioning of the probe holder mounting device 3 with respect to the subject, whereby it is possible to arrange the probe holders 1 at the measurement positions more smoothly.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the probe holder mounting device 3 of FIG. 1 as combined with the probe holder 1 of a different type. In this example, the probe mounting parts 2 are arranged in a 5×3 matrix, with the probe holder 1 being arranged at the center of the probe holder mounting device 3 . That is, FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of the probe holders 1 for performing measurement on the right and left temporal portions, and FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of the probe holder 1 for performing measurement on the frontal portion. That is, the mounting device body 4 has a front mounting portion to be held on the frontal portion of the subject, a left-hand mounting portion to be held on the left temporal portion, and a right-hand mounting portion to be held on the right temporal portion. Thus, the probe holder mounting device 3 is applicable to all types of probe holders 1 and applicable to all measurement positions.

In the probe holder mounting device 3 , which uses the band-like mounting device body 4 to be wrapped around the subject, there is less of an intense tightening feel for the subject as compared with the case of a constrictive cap-type mounting device, of annular rubber member or the like. Further, the top portion of the head is not covered with the mounting device body 4 but exposed, so the mounting position can be easily checked, and the mounting on the subject is facilitated. Further, through connecting position adjustment of the adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c , it is possible to effect fine adjustment on the position of the probe holder 1 .

Further, the mounting device body 4 is provided with the core 7 having no expandability, and, when wrapping the mounting device body 4 around the head of the subject, the core 7 is applied to the forehead of the subject so as to be in conformity with the configuration thereof, so it is possible to fix the mounting device body 4 firmly to the subject without causing the subject to experience an intense tightening feel.

Further, since the mounting device body 4 is provided with the mark lines 4 b , it is possible to provide the insertion holes 4 a symmetrically, making it possible to arrange the probe holders 1 easily at the proper positions.

As the expandable cloth forming the mounting device body 4 , a nonwoven fabric of polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers or the like is suitable.

Further, it is also possible to provide the belt 5 b with a scale in correspondence with the size of the head of the subject, using the scale as a guide in adjusting the tightening degree.

Further, while there are no particular limitations regarding the color of the mounting device body 4 , at least the portions where the probe holders 1 are mounted are preferably formed in black, which helps to achieve an improvement in terms of shielding property.

Further, by making the color of the portions of the mounting device body 4 where the probe holders 1 are mounted different from the color of at least one of the belts 5 a , 5 b , the adjusting straps 9 a through 9 c , and the extension parts 4 c , 4 d , it is possible to improve the workability of the mounting operation to the head of the subject.

Further, it is also possible to provide a scale on the surface of the core 7 . When mounting the mounting device body 4 and the probe holders 1 , a scale in correspondence with the positions of the eyebrows and the glabella is recorded, whereby it is possible to repeatedly mount the mounting device body 4 and the probe holders 1 while checking the positions of the eyebrows and the glabella in accordance with the previously recorded scale. Thus, it is possible to achieve an improvement in terms of the reproducibility of the mounting of the mounting device body 4 and the probe holders 1 to the head.