JP3874768B2 - Pet body fat measuring instrument - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a body fat measuring instrument for pets, a body fat measuring method for pets, and a method for calculating the amount of feeding of pets, and in particular, pets for measuring body fat and measuring body fat of small animals for pets such as dogs and cats. The present invention relates to a body fat measuring device, a pet body fat measuring method, and a pet feeding amount calculating method.

  Obesity has become a problem due to the rich food situation in recent years. Obesity has been recognized as a major factor in lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes, so managing the amount of fat accumulated in the body maintains and promotes daily health. Therefore, various body fat scales have been developed for this purpose. As one of such body fat scales, a body fat measuring device based on an impedance method for measuring bioelectrical impedance is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The body fat meter by the impedance method has good conductivity in the body, so when there is a lot of water in the body, current flows easily and the electrical resistance decreases, but the body fat has a low water content. Using the fact that the electrical resistance of a person with poor body conductivity and high body fat increases, the impedance is measured by passing a low level current through the body to estimate the amount of water and lean mass in the body. Is used to measure body fat.

On the other hand, the food situation for dogs, cats, etc., which are small animals for pets, has become richer. For example, owners who are strongly attached to pets are not able to become obese. They often want to manage fat properly, control their feeding, and maintain and improve the health of dogs and cats. There is also disclosed an impedance measuring instrument in which the body fat measurement method by the impedance method used for the human body is applied to livestock, which is an animal (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-369806 A JP 2002-253523 A J Appl Physiol. 1991 May; 70 (5): 2039-2044

  According to the animal body fat measuring instrument based on the impedance method described in Patent Document 2, since the animal to be measured is a domestic animal such as an edible cow, this is simply applied to dogs and cats which are small animals for pets. Just doing this will cause various problems. That is, since livestock such as edible cattle are slow in operation, for example, by placing a buttock with an electrode for current and a voltage electrode attached to the inner surface on the back of the livestock and hanging a weight appropriately on the buttock, Although it is possible to easily maintain the state where each electrode is in contact with the body of a domestic animal, small animals such as dogs and cats are fast moving, so simply placing a member corresponding to the buttocks on the back will cause the electrode to slip or fall. It is difficult to keep each electrode in contact with the body.

  In addition, livestock such as edible cattle have few or short hairs covering the body surface, and it is easy to bring each electrode surface into close contact with the body surface by simply pressing each electrode against the body. Since the body surface is covered with many long hairs, it is difficult to make each electrode surface adhere to the body surface simply by pressing each electrode against the body. As a result, the measurement data of the bioimpedance measured in this way increases and it becomes impossible to obtain reproducible data, and noise tends to occur in the data.

  Therefore, according to the prior art, when measuring the body fat of small animals such as dogs and cats for pets by the impedance method, the body hair is kept in a state in which the dogs and cats are anesthetized and put to sleep. A method of measuring bioimpedance while shaving the armpits and the abdomen side of the base of the hind limbs, which are few parts, and pressing the electrode surfaces of the current electrode and the voltage electrode against these shaved parts and bringing them into close contact with the body surface (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1). Such a measuring method is time-consuming and may cause a feeling of resistance to owners such as dogs and cats when anesthetized pets are anesthetized to sleep or are shaved.

  The present invention is a pet body fat measuring instrument and pet body fat measurement capable of easily and accurately measuring the body fat of small animals for pets such as dogs and cats without requiring much labor. It is an object to provide a method and a method for calculating the amount of feeding of pets.

The present invention is a pet body fat measuring instrument that measures bioimpedance and measures the body fat of a pet, and includes at least two electrode bodies each including a current electrode and a voltage electrode, and each electrode of the electrode body A lead-like fixture that holds the arm pressed against the armpit, the heel or the thin body hair of the limbs, and connected to the electrode body to control the current flowing during measurement and measured from the measured voltage The above object is achieved by providing a pet body fat measuring instrument that includes a control calculation unit including an impedance measurement circuit that calculates body fat based on bioelectrical impedance.

  Moreover, this invention achieves the said objective by providing the body fat measuring method for pets which measures bioimpedance using the said body fat measuring device for pets, and measures the body fat of a pet. .

  Furthermore, the present invention calculates a body fat percentage from the body fat measured using the above-mentioned body fat measuring instrument for pets, calculates a basal metabolic rate by obtaining a muscle mass of the pet from the body fat percentage, The above object is achieved by providing a method for calculating the amount of feeding of pets, which calculates the amount of feeding considering the amount of exercise of pets.

  According to the pet body fat measuring instrument and the pet body fat measuring method of the present invention, the body fat of small pet animals such as dogs and cats can be easily and accurately measured by the impedance method without much labor. can do. Moreover, according to the pet feeding amount calculation method of the present invention, the feeding amount can be easily and accurately calculated from the body fat measured by the impedance method.

  The electrode for measuring bioimpedance used in the present invention is required to include at least two electrode bodies each having a current electrode and a voltage electrode as a pair. By measuring the impedance, it becomes possible to measure more accurately. The electrode material needs to be electrically conductive, and metals such as copper, iron, aluminum, brass, and stainless steel can be used. However, stainless steel is preferably used because it does not easily rust. The shape of the electrode can be appropriately changed depending on the application site, such as a circular shape or a cylindrical shape, but a cylindrical shape is preferable when sandwiched between the side or the ridge portion. In addition, the size of the electrode is appropriately adjusted according to the size of the pet body and the application site, but in the case of a dog or cat, in the case of a cylindrical shape, the outer diameter is about 5 to 20 mm and the inner diameter is about 3 to 18 mm. The length is preferably about 5 to 30 mm. The size of the voltage electrode and the current electrode may not be the same.

The voltage electrode and current electrode need to be fixed to a fixture that holds the arm pressed against the armpits, ridges, or thin parts of the limbs, which are thin parts of the pet's body hair . 1 may be mentioned. In pets with high movement, it is difficult to accurately measure the electrode by contacting the body surface with a uniform force. However, by attaching the electrode to the fixture that can be in close contact with the body of the pet, It becomes possible to measure.

  The voltage electrode and the current electrode are preferably separated from each other by about 5 to 30 mm by an insulator. As the insulator, rubber, plastic, wood, or the like is used, and the outer diameter of the electrode is preferably equal to or smaller than that.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a connection cord 26 extending from the control calculation unit 15 is connected to each of the current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 of each electrode body 13. A current is allowed to flow between the current electrodes 11 of the pair of electrode bodies 13 according to the command, and the voltage between the voltage electrodes 12 of the pair of electrode bodies 13 can be measured.

  The control calculation unit 15 constituting the pet body fat measuring instrument 10 of the present embodiment incorporates a known control mechanism such as a microcomputer and a known impedance measurement circuit, and includes a connection cord 26. Are connected to the current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 of each electrode body 13, respectively, so that the current flowing during measurement can be controlled. The body fat is calculated based on the bioelectric impedance measured from the measurement voltage, and the calculated body fat can be stored as measurement data and displayed on, for example, a display unit.

  That is, the control calculation unit 15 causes the current of 0.1 to 1 mA to flow between the pair of current electrodes 11 for about 0.02 to 1.28 seconds, for example, about 1 to 10 times at intervals of 0.1 to 5 seconds. In addition, the average voltage can be obtained by measuring the voltage between the voltage electrodes 12 as a measurement voltage. Further, the impedance measurement circuit of the control calculation unit 15 is preliminarily input with data relating to the correlation between the measurement voltage and the biological impedance or body fat, and easily calculates the body fat based on the biological impedance measured from the measurement voltage. Be able to. Further, the control calculation unit 15 receives, as the initial data, the type, sex, weight, and the like of the pet whose body fat is measured, and the impedance measurement circuit receives data indicating an appropriate correlation according to the type of the pet. The body fat can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  The control calculation unit equipped with the impedance measurement circuit may be a single unit dedicated to pets, but it is usually built in a body fat measurement device used for humans, and a connection cord extending from the electrode is connected to this Alternatively, the body fat of the pet may be displayed by switching with a switch or the like and using it for pet.

  In the present invention, it is necessary that the electrodes 11 and 12 are brought into contact with a thin part of the body of the pet body. The part is preferably an armpit, a ridge or an extremity. The abdomen side of the base or the sole is preferred. Contact with the site eliminates the need for shaving and does not require anesthesia to stop the pet from moving. In particular, it is preferable to sandwich an electrode under the armpit from the viewpoint of enabling accurate measurement even in a pet with intense movement.

  When measuring, if the pet body is dirty, it is preferable to remove the sebum in advance. As a means for this, a portion where the electrode is pressed can be wiped off with a sponge, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, absorbent cotton or the like impregnated with an organic solvent or a surfactant. As an organic solvent, water-soluble things, such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, are used, for example. It is preferable to use one or more of these organic solvents in an aqueous solution having a concentration of 10 to 100% by weight, particularly 50 to 100% by weight. Surfactants include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, and amphoteric surfactants such as alkyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaines, alkylcarboxymethylhydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaines, and alkylamidopropyl betaines. Are used as (veterine) medically safe, especially nonionic surfactants, especially fatty acid ester type nonionic surfactants, polyoxyalkylene type nonionic surfactants, alkylalkanolamide type It is preferable to use a surfactant or an alkyl glucoside type nonionic surfactant. These surfactants are preferably blended in an amount of 10 to 25% by weight, particularly 15 to 20% by weight in the composition if the type is a rinse-off type such as shampoo. It is preferable to blend more than 0.1 to 5% by weight, particularly 0.5 to 2% by weight, in the composition. Alternatively, the sebum may be removed by wiping after the oil-absorbing powder is sprinkled or by wiping with a woven fabric made of ultrafine fibers.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable to carry | support electrolyte solution between body surfaces in the state which pressed each electrode 11 and 12 of the electrode body 13 to the site | part with a thin body hair, respectively. Thereby, even if the hair which is an insulator exists between the body surface and the electrode, the body fat can be accurately measured. As the electrolytic solution to be supported, for example, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or the like can be used. The concentration of the solute in these electrolytic solutions is 0.03 to 10%, preferably 0.2 to 10%, particularly preferably 0.5 to 5%. If the concentration is too low, the conductivity deteriorates, and if the concentration is too high, it becomes sticky after drying. These electrolytes are preferably used in an amount of about 0.1 to 10 cc, preferably 1 to 5 cc, particularly 2 to 4 cc for each electrode. If the amount is too small, the conductivity deteriorates. If the amount is too large, it is uneconomical. Moreover, in order to improve the adhesiveness of the electrolyte solution to a pet's body, the viscosity of electrolyte solution can also be raised using a thickener. Examples of the thickener include food additives such as acrylic acid polymer, CMC, pectin, and xanthan gum. However, considering that the pet licks, food additives are preferable. The viscosity of these electrolytes is in the range of 1 to 120,000 cps, and can be appropriately selected according to the state of the pet hair, etc., but is preferably 1 to 40 cps, particularly 1 to 20 cps. Even if there is body hair between the surfaces, the electrolyte is better infiltrated to improve electrical continuity, which is preferable from the viewpoint of enabling accurate measurement.

  Further, by sandwiching an electrolyte-impregnated body made of, for example, sponge, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, absorbent cotton, etc. impregnated with these electrolytic solutions, between the body surface and the electrodes 11 and 12, the body surface and the electrode surface of each electrode It is possible to carry the electrolyte solution on the body hair interposed between the two.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said electrolyte solution is what is supplied to the electrode body surface by the supply part of the electrolyte solution directly connected to each electrode surface. Specifically, for example, a hole is formed in the center of the electrode, an electrolyte solution supply tube or the like is connected to the opposite side of the electrode surface that contacts the pet, and the electrolyte solution is discharged, so that the electrode surface that contacts the pet is electrolyzed. There is a form of supplying the liquid (see FIGS. 13A and 13B). As a material of the electrode in this case, for example, platinum, gold, silver, silver chloride, cylinder, aluminum, stainless steel, metal-plated resin, or the like can be used. Moreover, the diameter of the hole in this case is preferably 1 to 5 mm, more preferably 1.2 to 3 mm, for example, in the case of a circular hole.

  As a material of the tube, for example, general materials such as nylon, silicon rubber, vinyl, etc. can be used without any particular restriction. Moreover, a tube may be provided for each electrode, and for example, two or one tube can be used together. The electrolytic solution supply unit is, for example, a syringe, a washing bottle, a manual pump, an electric pump, or the like, in addition to a mode in which the electrolytic solution is supported in a dropper-like liquid reservoir and supplied as needed. The supply method may be manual or electric. Further, a mode in which a sponge-like holding body is provided at the tip of the electrolyte supply section and an electrode plate is provided on the surface may be employed. The amount of electrolyte supplied from the supply unit is preferably 4 to 20 cc at a time, and the amount of electrolyte discharged from the electrode is 1 to 1 electrode, for example, 1 to 5 for short hair types. In the case of 3 cc and long hair type, it is preferably 2 to 5 cc.

  Hereinafter, the case of a dog will be described as an example.

  That is, the body fat measuring instrument 10 for dogs of this embodiment is a body fat measuring instrument that measures the body impedance and measures the body fat of the dog as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). An electrode body 13 (see FIG. 3) including a current electrode 11 and a voltage electrode 12 is attached at two locations. The electrode body 13 is attached to a dog body and the electrodes 11 and 12 of the electrode body 13 are attached to the dog body. For example, a lead-like fixture 14 and an impedance measurement circuit are incorporated as a fixture that is held in a state pressed against the armpit as a thin part of the body hair, and connected to the current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 at the time of measurement. A control calculation unit 15 that controls the current to flow and calculates body fat based on the bioimpedance measured from the measurement voltage.

  Moreover, according to the body fat measurement structure for dogs using the body fat measurement tool 10 for dogs of this embodiment, in the state which pressed each electrode 11 and 12 of the electrode body 13 to the armpit which is a thin part of body hair, respectively, It is preferable to attach the lead-shaped fixture 14 to the dog's body and to carry an electrolyte between the armpit body surface and the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12. Thereby, it becomes possible to measure body fat more accurately. Further, an electrolyte-impregnated body 16 (see FIG. 2 (b)) made of, for example, sponge, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or absorbent cotton impregnated with an electrolyte solution is placed between the body surface of the armpit and the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12. By sandwiching them in between, the electrolytic solution can be carried on the body hair interposed between the body surface of the armpit and the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12.

  The lead-shaped fixing tool 14 constituting the body fat measuring device 10 for dogs of the present embodiment includes a collar portion 17 and a pair of shoulder mounting portions 18, and each shoulder mounting portion 18 has a dog shoulder portion. An electrode body 13 including a current electrode 11 and a voltage electrode 12 is attached so as to be placed under the armpit when the lead-shaped fixture 14 is mounted on the dog's body through the shoulder mounting portion 18. ing.

  According to the present embodiment, the collar portion 17 is formed in a ring shape having a width that can be attached to the neck of a dog, for example, a belt member having a width of about 5 to 30 mm made of leather, synthetic resin, cloth, absorbent cotton, or the like. Thus, for example, by providing the buckle 27 and the like, the size of the ring shape can be adjusted as appropriate. A pair of locking rings 19 are attached to the front portion of the collar portion 17, and one end of each of the pair of shoulder mounting portions 18 can be attached to and detached from these locking rings 19. Are each locked. Further, a pair of insertion rings 20 are attached to a portion located at the rear portion of the collar portion 17, and the other end portions of the pair of shoulder mounting portions 18 are respectively inserted into these insertion rings 20. It is like that.

  The pair of shoulder mounting portions 18 is made of, for example, a thick cord having a string diameter of about 5 to 20 mm made of leather, synthetic resin, cloth, or the like, and the locking fitting 21 attached to each one end is connected to the collar portion 17. The one end is connected and connected to the collar portion 17 by being detachably locked to the locking ring 19. Further, each other end portion is inserted through the insertion ring 20 of the collar portion 17, and the other end portion side portion of each shoulder mounting portion 18 is extended from the insertion ring 20 by a considerable length. The extending portion is arranged on the back side of the dog as a tightening adjustment portion 22.

  In the tightening adjustment section 22, each shoulder mounting section 18 is inserted into the tightening adjustment tool 23 as a unit, and the tightening adjustment section 22 and the tightening adjustment tool 23 are used as tightening adjustment means. By adjusting the length of each shoulder mounting portion 18 closer to the locking ring 19 than the insertion ring 20, the tightening force of the shoulder mounting portion 18 attached to tighten the shoulder of the dog from the lower side through the armpit is adjusted. Thus, it is possible to easily hold the state in which the electrode body 13 is pressed under the armpit with an appropriate pressing force.

  That is, the tightening adjustment tool 23 is a known technique that is used as a means for adjusting the length of the opening surface by adjusting the length of the string member attached along the opening edge of the hood, for example, in a cold protection tool. And is slid along the tightening adjustment portion 22 of each shoulder mounting portion 18 inserted as a unit, and via, for example, pinching locking means provided inside. The length of each shoulder mounting portion 18 disposed on the shoulder on the side of the locking ring 19 relative to the tightening adjustment tool 23 by being detachably locked and fixed to the shoulder mounting portion 18 at an arbitrary slide position. The height can be easily adjusted.

  In addition, according to this invention, it is also possible to form the collar part 17 with a thick string, and it is also possible to form the shoulder mounting part 18 with a belt member.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode bodies 13 attached to the pair of shoulder mounting portions 18 each have a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion that can be inserted through the shoulder mounting portion 18 that is a thick string. The current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 are arranged side by side in series with the insulator 24 interposed therebetween. In addition, stoppers 25 are attached to the outer ends of the current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 so that the current electrode 11 and the voltage electrode 12 are placed under the arm when the lead-shaped fixture 14 is mounted. It will not move out of position.

  The control calculation unit 15 constituting the body fat measurement instrument 10 for dogs of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the control calculation unit described above, and is disposed at a position away from the dog for which body fat is to be measured, for example. In addition, for example, it can be attached to the lead-shaped fixing tool 14 and placed on the back of the dog so that the measurement operation can be performed while remotely operating wirelessly via electromagnetic waves or the like.

  According to this embodiment, when measuring the body fat of a dog using the above-described pet body fat measuring device 10, the electrodes 11 and 12 of the pair of electrode bodies 13 can be held in a pressed state under the armpits. In this manner, the lead-shaped fixture 14 is attached to the body of the dog. That is, the collar portion 17 is attached to the dog's neck, and the forefoot of the dog is passed through the annular portion formed by the collar portion 17 and each shoulder attachment portion 18 so that the shoulder attachment portion 18 is attached to the dog's shoulder portion. After the arrangement, the shoulder mounting portion is configured so that the electrode body 13 is pressed to the armpit with an appropriate pressing force while sliding the tightening adjusting tool 23 to the insertion ring 20 side in the tightening adjusting portion 22 of the shoulder mounting portion 18. The lead-shaped fixing tool 14 is mounted on the dog body by locking and fixing the tightening adjusting tool 23 to the shoulder mounting portion 18 while adjusting the tightening force 18.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte solution is applied between the armpit body surface and the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12, or the electrolyte solution is impregnated with, for example, sponge, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, absorbent cotton, etc. The electrolytic solution impregnated body 16 is attached so as to be sandwiched. The electrolytic solution impregnated from the electrolytic solution impregnated body 16 is supported on the body hair interposed between the body surface of the armpit and the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12 by attaching the electrolytic solution impregnated body 16 to the armpit. As a result, the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12 and the body surface of the armpits are electrically tightly bonded via the electrolytic solution, and there is a problem of being in an electrically non-contact state due to the presence of body hair. It becomes possible to eliminate this, and the body fat of the dog can be measured with higher accuracy.

  And according to the body fat measuring instrument for pets of this embodiment, the body fat of a dog can be measured easily and accurately by the impedance method without requiring much labor. That is, according to this embodiment, the electrode-like body 13 including the electrode for current 11 and the electrode for voltage 12 is attached to the dog's body with the lead-like fixtures 14 attached at two positions at positions corresponding to the armpits of the dog. It is possible to easily hold the electrodes 11 and 12 of the electrode body 13 in a state of being pressed against the armpit, even for a fast-moving dog, by simply mounting and tightening the shoulder mounting portion 18 via the tightening adjusting means. It becomes possible. Moreover, since the armpits where the electrodes 11 and 12 are pressed are thin parts of the body hair, the electrode surfaces of the electrodes 11 and 12 and the body surface of the dog can be easily and closely joined. Thus, according to the command from the control calculation unit 15, the body fat of the dog can be easily and accurately measured by the impedance method without much labor.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the lead-shaped fixture does not necessarily have the above-described configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the shoulder mounting portion 40 is formed in a hanging shape without providing a collar portion. In addition, a tightening adjustment tool 41 may be attached to the back portion, which is the crossing portion of the tacks, to adjust the tightening force, and as shown in FIG. The electrode body 43 may be disposed in a portion corresponding to the above and pressed against the body surface by the force of a spring. Further, the electrode body does not necessarily need to be a cylindrical current electrode and a voltage electrode arranged in series with an insulator interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a sheet material made of an elastic insulator is used. The plate-like current electrode 51 and the voltage electrode 52 may be arranged side by side on 50. These electrodes are preferably 5 to 30 mm in diameter, particularly about 7 to 12 mm from the viewpoint that even a small dog can be measured. In addition, these electrodes are made of a conductive material, and include metals such as copper, iron, aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. Stainless steel is preferable from the viewpoint that it does not easily rust. As the sheet material 50 in the case of this electrode, rubber, plastic or the like is used. Furthermore, the thin part of the body hair that is held in a state where each electrode of the electrode body is pressed may be a shading part or the like in addition to the armpit, and the holder part is configured to easily press each electrode against these parts. It may be provided. Furthermore, the pet whose body fat is measured may be a cat.

  Moreover, the electrolytic solution impregnated body impregnated with the electrolytic solution may or may not be conductive. A conductive sponge or the like can be used as the conductive material. It is not always necessary to use this electrolyte-impregnated body by sandwiching it between the body surface of the thin hair part and the electrode surface of each electrode. The electrolytic solution is directly applied to the thin hair and impregnated and supported. You can also. The pet body fat measuring instrument of the present invention does not necessarily need to be used by supporting an electrolytic solution on the body hair interposed between the body surface of the thin body hair part and the electrode surface of each electrode. It can also be used by shaving the site and holding the electrode surface of each electrode against the shaved site.

FIG.10 and FIG.11 (a), (b) shows the clamp-shaped fixing tool 60 used in the body fat measuring tool for pets concerning a reference example , According to the fixing tool 60 of the said reference example , The body fat can be easily measured not only for dogs but also for other pets by holding the electrode body 63 including the current electrode 61 and the voltage electrode 62 against the thin part of the body hair of the pet. It is to make. That is, the fixture 60 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 incorporates, for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring and is pivotally supported at the fulcrum 64 so as to be biased in the direction of narrowing the sandwiching portion 65. For example, the first sandwiching member 66a and the second sandwiching member 66b made of synthetic resin are connected in a state where the tip portion on the sandwiching portion 65 side of the first sandwiching member 66a is formed. As the electrode body 63, a current electrode 61 and a voltage electrode 62 are disposed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the electrode body 63.

  Further, the portion on the sandwiching portion 65 side of the second sandwiching member 66b is formed of a material having elasticity, and when the measurement target site of the pet is sandwiched between the first sandwiching member 66a, By deforming to some extent along the shape of the target portion and closely contacting the target portion with a larger area, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling given to the bet. In addition, coupled with the formation of irregularities on the inner surface of the elastic portion, the current electrode 61 and the voltage electrode 62 on the inner surface of the first sandwiching member 66a can be easily moved to the measurement target region. It is also possible to hold it. Furthermore, the proximal end portion adjacent to the fulcrum 64 in the portion on the sandwiching portion 65 side of the second sandwiching member 66b has a configuration that can be slidably fixed in the vertical direction in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). Accordingly, the interval between the first sandwiching member 66a and the second sandwiching member 66b in the sandwiching portion 65 can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the body fat measurement target region.

  Further, the current electrode 61 and the voltage electrode 62 of the electrode body 63 are connected to an electric wire 67 inserted and disposed inside the first sandwiching member 66 a, and the electric wire 67 is connected to the above-mentioned via the connector 68. By connecting to the control calculation unit 15 having the same configuration as that of the control device, the current flowing at the time of measurement is controlled and the body fat of the pet to which the fixture 60 is attached can be easily determined based on the bioimpedance measured from the measurement voltage. Can be calculated.

  The fixing tool 60 shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 resists the urging force of a coil spring, a leaf spring, etc. by compressing the first sandwiching member 66a and the second sandwiching member 66b in the operation unit 69. After the first sandwiching member 66a and the second sandwiching member 66b in the sandwiching portion 65 are opened, the inner surface of the electrode body 63 is pressed from the inside to the armpit of the limb as shown in FIG. 12, for example. The fixing tool 60 is attached so as to sandwich the measurement target portion of the pet. As a result, the current electrode 61 and the voltage electrode 62 are subject to frictional force even if the pet moves slightly in a state where the measurement target portion is sandwiched between the fixing tools 60 within a range that does not make the bed feel uncomfortable. It is easily adhered and fixed without shifting.

Further, according to the present invention, the electrolyte solution can be directly supplied to the surface of the electrode body 63 from the electrolyte solution supply unit directly connected to each electrode surface. That is, for example, in the fixture 60 of the reference example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, as shown in FIG. 13A, the current electrode 61 and the voltage electrode 62 that protrude from the inner surface of the electrode body 63 are made of metal. The thin plate is pressed to form a hemispherical shape, and an electrolytic solution flow hole 70 is formed in the central portion, and the electrolytic solution supplied via the supply tube 71 connected to the base end portions of the electrodes 61 and 62 is used as the electrolytic solution. It can be supplied by being discharged from the tip surfaces of the electrodes 61 and 62 through the flow hole 70. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), a current electrode 61 and a voltage electrode 62 projectingly arranged on the inner surface of the electrode body 63, and a bolt processed so as to have an electrolyte solution circulation hole 70 in the central portion. While being formed by the member 72, the electrode 61 and the electrode 62 by the bolt member 72 are attached to the electrode body 63 via the nut member 73, and supplied through the supply tube 71 connected to the base end portion of the electrodes 61 and 62. The electrolytic solution can also be supplied by being discharged from the tip surfaces of the electrodes 61 and 62 through the electrolytic solution flow hole 70.

According to the present invention, the body fat percentage can be measured using the pet body fat measuring device of the present invention. Here, the body fat percentage (hereinafter referred to as “BF”) is expressed by the following formula (1) between the body weight (hereinafter referred to as “BW”) and the lean body mass (hereinafter referred to as “FFM”). The relationship holds.
BF = (BW−FFM) / BW (1)
The present inventor stated that the FFM value in the above formula is BW (kg), trunk length (cm) (hereinafter referred to as “L”), trunk circumference (cm) (hereinafter referred to as “PC”). And bio-impedance (Ω) (hereinafter referred to as “BI”), it was found by the following formula (2).
FFM = p × BW + q × L + r × PC + s × (BI + t) ^ × u + c (2)
Here, p, q, r, s, t, u, and c are constants, and vary depending on the type of pet, the size of the pet's body, and the like. In the present invention, the coefficient is determined by multivariate analysis from the values of “body fat percentage determined by the deuterium method” and “weight”, “body length”, “body waist”, and “impedance” of each pet solid. Note that “PC” may be omitted from equation (2), and “L” may be omitted from the point that a certain degree of accuracy can be easily obtained.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the basal metabolic rate can be calculated using the pet body fat measuring instrument of the present invention, and the necessary amount of feeding can be calculated for each pet by further considering the amount of exercise of the pet. it can. Feeding amount (kcal) (hereinafter referred to as “Q”) is basal metabolic rate (kcal) (hereinafter referred to as “F”) and exercise energy requirement (kcal) (hereinafter referred to as “Q”) Expressed as “E”).
Q = F + E (3)
F is expressed by the following equation (4).
F = a × FFM ^0.75 (4)
Here, a is a constant, and the coefficient is obtained by multivariate analysis from the “feeding amount that does not change the body weight in the resting state” of each pet and the numerical value of the FFM.
Furthermore, E is expressed by the following equation (5) using the travel distance (km) (hereinafter referred to as “K”) (Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th Edition).
E = (1.77 x K x BW ^-0.4 +1.25 x BW ^-0.25 ) x BW (5)

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. The following measurements were performed on 12 dogs kept as pets at home.

[Measurement by heavy water dilution method]
First, according to the method ^{1) of} Burkholder et al., The body fat of each dog (solid No. 1 to 12) shown in Table 1 was accurately measured. However, it was performed without anesthesia. 6 ml of blood was collected from the jugular vein, serum was separated, and used as a serum sample before heavy water injection. Next, a winged needle was placed in the forefoot vein, and heavy water was weighed and injected into a syringe at a rate of 0.2 ml / (kg body weight), and further 10 ml of hepa was injected. The weight of the syringe before and after injection was measured, and the difference was defined as the injection amount of heavy water (W _D2O ) g. The diffusion time for heavy water was 90 minutes. Thereafter, 6 ml of blood was again collected from the opposite jugular vein, and serum was separated to obtain a serum sample after injection. Heavy water concentration was analyzed by IRMS. The concentration in the serum sample before injection was (C ₁ ) ppm (C ₂ ) ppm after injection, and the amount of heavy water injected was (W _D2O ) g. The body fat percentage was calculated by the following calculation formula with the body weight as (BW) kg.
Body fat percentage (%) = 100− {10 ⁵ W _D2O / (C ₂ −C ₁ )} / 0.732 BW
[1): William J. Burkholder, Craig D. Thatcher AJVR 59 (8) 1998 927-937]

[Measurement by the product of the present invention]
Example 1
The electrode body shown in FIG. 3 is attached to a lead-like fixture as shown in FIG. 2, and 0.9 wt% physiological saline is applied to absorbent cotton and applied to the side of the dog. It attached to the body of each dog as shown in FIG. The control calculation unit and the electrode body were connected by a connection cord, and the control calculation unit was installed on a table for measurement. The following parameters were calculated based on the measured impedance.
Body fat parameter = 1 / (impedance x body weight (kg))

Example 2
Prepare two electrode bodies shown in Fig. 3 attached to the fixture shown in Fig. 4 (a), and add 0.9% by weight of physiological saline to absorbent cotton so that the left side and right side of the dog After applying to the abdomen side of the groin and the base of the right hind limb, one of the fixtures is attached so that the two electrode bodies are sandwiched on both sides of the dog, and the other is the two electrode bodies attached to the dog's side. It was attached so that it might be pinched | interposed into the abdomen side of the base of a thigh and a hind leg. Then, connect the control calculation part to one of the electrode bodies sandwiched between the sides and one of the electrode body sandwiched between the bottom and the base of the hind limb with a connection cord, and the control calculation part is placed on the table and measured. went. The above body fat parameters were calculated based on the measured impedance.

Reference example 1
The electrode body shown in FIG. 3 was attached to the fixture shown in FIG. 6 so that it hits the left side and the abdomen side of the base of the right hind limb, and a dog was placed on the fixture. The control calculation unit and the electrode body were connected by a connection cord, and the control calculation unit was installed on a table for measurement. The above body fat parameters were calculated based on the measured impedance.

Reference example 2
The electrode body shown in FIG. 13 was attached to the clamp-shaped body fat measuring device for pets shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and was attached to the side of the dog as shown in FIG. The control calculation unit and the electrode body were connected by a connection cord, and the control calculation unit was installed on a table for measurement. Based on the measured impedance, dog weight, torso length, and torso circumference, body fat percentage was calculated from the above formulas (1) and (2).

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 14 show the relationship between the body fat percentage by the heavy water dilution method, the body fat parameters in Examples 1 and 2 and Reference Examples 1 and 2 , and the body fat percentage. According to the measurement results shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 14, the body fat percentage and body fat parameters obtained by the above heavy water dilution method show a high correlation. It was found that body fat can be measured with high accuracy.

Reference example 3
Targeting 16 beagle dogs (solid Nos. 13 to 28), based on the numerical values (weight, torso length, torso circumference, impedance) measured in Reference Example 2 , and the movement distance of each dog, The required amount of feeding corresponding to each dog was calculated from the above equations (3) to (5). The obtained feed amount was continuously given to each dog, and the change in body weight was measured every 3 weeks. The results are shown in Table 2. Moreover, the t test result was shown as a parameter | index which shows the grade of the weight change of this group.

Comparative Example 1
Targeting beagle dogs four animals (solid Nanba29～32), determine the feed amount of each dog based on a general formula "feeding amount = 110 × BW ^0.75" seeking feed amount, as in Reference Example 3 The change in body weight was measured at the same interval, and the results are shown in Table 3. Moreover, the t test result was shown as a parameter | index which shows the grade of the weight change of this group.

  It was found that by feeding according to the amount of feeding obtained by the method of the present invention, the weight change of the dog is small and the amount is optimal for maintaining the health of the pet. On the other hand, by feeding according to the feeding amount obtained by a general method, the weight of the dog tends to increase, and it has been found that the optimal amount for maintaining the health of the pet is not given.

It is a perspective view explaining the body fat measuring device for pets concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a perspective view explaining the condition which mounted | worn with the lead-shaped fixing tool of the body fat measuring device for pets concerning one Embodiment of this invention to the body of a dog. It is an expansion perspective view explaining the structure of an electrode body. (A) And (b) is a perspective view which illustrates other forms of a fixture. It is a perspective view which illustrates other forms of an electrode body. It is a perspective view explaining the body fat measuring device for pets concerning a reference example . It is a chart which shows the correlation with the body fat rate by a heavy water dilution method, and the body fat parameter in this-article product (Example 1). It is a chart which shows the correlation with the body fat rate by a heavy water dilution method, and the body fat parameter in this-article product (Example 2). 3 is a chart showing a correlation between a body fat percentage by a heavy water dilution method and a body fat parameter in Reference Example 1 . It is a perspective view which shows the clamp-shaped fixing tool used in the body fat measuring tool for pets concerning a reference example . (A) And (b) is an enlarged plan view of a clamp-shaped fixing tool. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the mounting state of a clamp-shaped fixing tool. (A) And (b) is a fragmentary sectional view which illustrates the composition which supplies electrolyte solution directly to the surface of an electrode body from the supply part of electrolyte solution directly connected to each electrode side. 4 is a chart showing a correlation between a body fat percentage by a heavy water dilution method and a body fat percentage in Reference Example 2 .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pet body fat measuring tool 11, 61 Current electrode 12, 62 Voltage electrode 13, 63 Electrode body 14 Lead-shaped fixing tool (fixing tool)
15 Control calculation part 16 Electrolyte impregnated body 17 Collar part 18 Shoulder mounting part 19 Locking ring 20 Insertion ring 21 Locking fitting 22 Tightening adjustment part 23 Tightening adjustment tool 24 Insulator 25 Stopper 26 Connection cord 27 Buckle 60 Clamp-like fixing Tool 64 fulcrum 65 sandwiching portion 66a first sandwiching member 66b second sandwiching member 70 electrolytic solution flow hole 71 supply tube

Claims (8)

A pet body fat measuring instrument for measuring body impedance of a pet by measuring bioimpedance, comprising at least two electrode bodies each including a current electrode and a voltage electrode, and each electrode of the electrode body under the armpit. Based on the bioimpedance measured from the measured voltage, with a lead-like fixture that holds the pressed part against the thin part of the hair of the thigh or extremity, and controls the current that flows when connected to the electrode body A body fat measuring instrument for pets comprising a control calculation unit having an impedance measurement circuit for calculating body fat.   The body fat measuring instrument for pets according to claim 1, wherein an electrolyte is carried on the body hair interposed between the body surface of the pet having body hair and the electrode surface of each electrode.   The pet body according to claim 2, wherein the electrolytic solution is impregnated with the electrolytic solution by sandwiching the electrolytic solution-impregnated body impregnated with the electrolytic solution between the body surface of the thin portion of the body hair and the electrode surface of each electrode. Fat measuring instrument.   The pet body fat measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising an electrolyte solution supply unit directly connected to the electrode body, wherein the electrolyte solution is supplied to a surface of the electrode body. A control calculation unit including an impedance measurement circuit that controls the current flowing during measurement by connecting to the electrode body and calculates body fat based on the bioimpedance measured from the measurement voltage is a human body fat measurement tool. The body fat measuring instrument for pets according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which is incorporated inside and used by switching to a control calculation unit for pets. A body fat measurement method for pets, which uses the pet body fat measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to measure bioimpedance and measure body fat of the pet. A pet feeding amount calculation method for calculating a basal metabolic rate using the pet body fat measuring instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and further calculating a feeding amount in consideration of a pet's exercise amount.   The pet feeding amount calculation method according to claim 7, wherein the weight of the pet is taken into account.

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