JP6132307B2 - Waterproof cover and waterproof communication set - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof cover and a waterproof communication set.

  There is a continuous blood glucose meter that continuously measures blood glucose levels. The continuous blood glucose meter includes a communication device that is attached to the body surface and acquires blood glucose level data from blood, and an external device that can wirelessly communicate with the communication device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the user can know the blood glucose level through communication between the communication device and the external device, the communication device and the external device need to communicate continuously.

Special Table 2002-526137

  However, there are situations in which continuous communication between the communication device and the external device becomes difficult. For example, when a user takes a communication device in a bathroom with the external device placed in a dressing room during bathing, the distance between the external device and the communication device may increase, and communication may be interrupted. Even if the communication device or the external device has an alarm function for notifying a low blood glucose state or a high blood glucose state, the alarm function does not work when communication is interrupted, and the user cannot know the state. If significant hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia is left unattended, there is a life-threatening danger. Therefore, it is desirable to ensure continuous communication.

  In addition, the communication device attached to the body surface is desired to be as small as possible from the viewpoint of reducing skin irritation and usability, but the size of the antenna for ensuring communication with external devices is also limited accordingly. Is done.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a waterproof cover and a waterproof communication set in which wireless communication is not easily interrupted and continuous communication is easily secured.

  The waterproof cover of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a cover body that can cover a communication device in a state where a communication device capable of wirelessly communicating data related to biological information with an external device is attached to the body surface; And an enhancement antenna that is provided on the cover body and is attachable to the communication device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the waterproof communication set of the present invention is an external device, a communication device capable of wirelessly communicating data related to biological information between the external device, and a state in which the communication device is attached to the body surface. A cover main body capable of covering the communication device; and a reinforcing antenna provided on the cover main body and attachable to the communication device.

  According to the present invention, the communicable distance between the communication device and the external device is extended by the enhancement antenna, so that wireless communication is difficult to be interrupted and continuous communication is easily ensured.

  In addition, since the winding length of the enhancement antenna is longer than the winding length of the main antenna equipped in the communication device, it can be more suitable for the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave to be used. The distance that can be communicated with each other is more effectively increased, and continuous communication is more reliably ensured.

  If the biological information is a blood sugar level, data relating to the blood sugar level is wirelessly communicated between the communication device and the external device, and this is difficult to be interrupted, so that the blood sugar level can be continuously measured.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the waterproof cover of embodiment and the waterproof communication set containing this. It is sectional drawing which follows the 2-2 line | wire of FIG. 1 which showed the winding length of the augmentation antenna of embodiment. It is the arrow line view seen from the arrow 3 of FIG. 1 which showed the winding length of the main antenna with which the communication apparatus of embodiment is equipped. It is a figure which shows typically the usage pattern of the waterproof cover of embodiment and the waterproof communication set containing this. It is a perspective view which shows typically the modification of an augmentation antenna. It is a perspective view which shows typically the modification of a waterproof cover. It is a perspective view which shows the other modification of a waterproof cover typically. It is a figure which shows typically the usage condition of the waterproof cover shown in FIG. 7, and a waterproof communication set containing this.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention and modifications thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the dimension ratio of drawing is exaggerated on account of description, and differs from an actual ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the waterproof communication set 10 of the embodiment includes a communication device 11 and an external device 12 that communicate with each other wirelessly. The communication device 11 and the external device 12 continuously measure the blood glucose level in cooperation. Further, the waterproof communication set 10 includes a cover main body 13 that can cover the communication device 11 and a waterproof cover 15 having an enhancement antenna 14 provided on the cover main body 13.

  The communication device 11 includes a guide needle 110 having a hollow shape that is punctured under the skin of a user. The communication device 11 has a communication device main body 111 provided on the proximal end side of the guide needle 110. The communication device 11 includes a sensor 112 that detects glucose in blood inside the guide needle 110. The communication device main body 111 includes a main antenna 113 that transmits electromagnetic waves corresponding to the detection result of the sensor 112 to the external device 12 as data relating to the blood glucose level. The communication device main body 111 is provided with an insertion hole 114 through which the connector 140 of the enhancement antenna 14 can be attached and detached for electrical connection to the enhancement antenna 14. The communication device main body 111 includes a battery that supplies power to each unit.

  The sensor 112 is, for example, a known fluorescent sensor. The fluorescence sensor includes a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence according to the amount of glucose, and a photodiode that receives fluorescence from the fluorescent material. The fluorescence sensor converts the amount of fluorescence corresponding to the concentration of glucose in blood into an electrical signal by a photodiode. The sensor 112 is electrically connected to an electronic circuit provided in the communication device main body 111 by wiring passing through the guide needle 110.

  The external device 12 includes a control unit 120 that controls the entire external device 12 and a display 121. Although not shown, the external device 12 includes a speaker that emits an alarm and a voice message, a battery that supplies power to each unit, and an antenna that receives data related to blood glucose levels transmitted from the communication device 11. . The external device 12 has an operation button for causing the external device 12 to perform a predetermined operation such as calling blood glucose level data measured in the past.

  The control unit 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU. The memory stores, for example, a program for calculating a blood sugar level, a communication program for communicating with the communication device 11, and sound data such as an alarm. The control unit 120 calculates the blood glucose level from the data related to the blood glucose level received from the communication device 11. The calculated blood glucose level is displayed on the display 121.

  The cover body 13 is a substantially cylindrical arm cover through which an arm can pass. An annular rubber band 130 is attached to the openings at both ends for passing the arms. The cover main body 13 is preferably made of a waterproof material. The material forming the cover body 13 is, for example, vinyl, polyurethane, or nylon.

  The reinforcing antenna 14 has a configuration in which a metal wire is wound spirally. The reinforcing antenna 14 is disposed inside the cover main body 13. The reinforcing antenna 14 is formed integrally with the cover body 13. The material forming the enhancement antenna 14 is a metal such as copper, for example.

  The enhancement antenna 14 and the main antenna 113 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the winding length of the reinforcing antenna 14 is the circumferential length of the wire wound in a circumferential shape. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the winding length of the main antenna 113 is the length of a metal line wound once in a rectangular shape. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the winding length of the enhancement antenna 14 is longer than the winding length of the main antenna 113. By setting the winding length suitable for the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave used for wireless communication, the communicable distance is extended. The main antenna 113 is configured by forming a pattern in which a line is wound once in a rectangular shape in a plane. This line is formed by a metal foil such as copper, a vapor-deposited or printed metal, or a thin metal wire.

  Next, a usage example of the waterproof communication set 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user uses the communication device 11 attached to the arm. In the state where the guide needle 110 has punctured the arm, the communication device main body 111 is fixed to the arm with a double-sided tape. The user covers the communication device 11 by fitting the cover main body 13 on the arm. Waterproofness is ensured inside the cover body 13. The rubber band 130 prevents water from entering the inside of the cover body 13.

  The user inserts the connector 140 into the insertion hole 114 and attaches the enhancement antenna 14 to the communication device 11. The enhancement antenna 14 and the communication device 11 are electrically connected by a connector 140. The enhancement antenna 14 has flexibility and deforms according to the movement of the arm. Data on the blood glucose level obtained by the communication device 11 is transmitted from the communication device main body 111 to the external device 12 via the augmentation antenna 14.

  The communication device 11 continuously acquires data related to the blood glucose level and transmits it to the external device 12 at regular time intervals. The external device 12 calculates a blood glucose level from the received data. The user can know, for example, the daily fluctuation of the blood sugar level and the average value of the blood sugar level over the past several months. These values are displayed on the display 121 by operating an operation button provided in the external device 12. The external device 12 notifies the user by an alarm when the blood glucose level is in a low blood glucose state below a predetermined value or a high blood glucose state above a predetermined value.

  The effect of this embodiment is described.

  In this embodiment, since the augmentation antenna 14 is provided in addition to the main antenna 113 provided in the communication device 11, the communicable distance between the communication device 11 and the external device 12 is extended. For this reason, the wireless communication between the communication device 11 and the external device 12 is not easily interrupted, and continuous communication is easily ensured.

  As a result of the communication being secured, the user can continuously know the state of the blood sugar level, so that it is difficult to overlook a markedly low blood sugar state or a high blood sugar state, thereby increasing safety.

  The winding length of the enhancement antenna 14 is longer than the winding length of the main antenna 113 and is more suitable for the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave used for wireless communication. For this reason, the communicable distance between the communication device 11 and the external device 12 is more effectively extended, and continuous communication is more reliably ensured.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cover main body 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the enhancement antenna can have a three-dimensional structure such as a spiral structure, and the wireless transmission intensity can be further increased.

  Since the cover body 13 prevents the communication device 11 from getting wet, the blood glucose level can be continuously measured while preventing the communication device 11 from being broken even in an environment where water such as bathing is used.

<Modification 1>
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the waterproof cover 25 of the first modified example, instead of the enhancement antenna 14 of the above-described embodiment, an enhancement antenna 24 having a different configuration is used. Since the communication device 11, the external device 12, and the cover main body 13 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing antenna 24 has a base material 240 having a flat plate shape, a metal line 241 wound once in a rectangular shape, and a connector 242 drawn from the base material 240. . The base material 240 has flexibility. Line 241 is formed in the plane of substrate 240. The line 241 is formed of a metal foil such as copper, a vapor-deposited or printed metal, or a thin metal wire. The winding length of the line 241 is preferably longer than the winding length of the line constituting the main antenna 113 provided in the communication device 11, and is a length suitable for the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave used for wireless communication. The connector 242 is electrically connected to the line 241. The connector 242 is detachable from the insertion hole 114 of the communication device 11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing antenna 24 is curved and disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the cover body 13. The reinforcing antenna 24 is formed integrally with the cover body 13.

  The function of the enhancement antenna 24 is the same as the function of the enhancement antenna 14 of the above-described embodiment. The enhancement antenna 24 provides the same effects as the enhancement antenna 14.

<Modification 2>
As shown in FIG. 7, the waterproof cover 35 of Modification 2 uses the same reinforcing antenna 24 as that of Modification 1, and uses a sheet-like flexible cover body 33 instead of the cover body 13. About the communication apparatus 11 and the external apparatus 12, it is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

  The reinforcing antenna 24 is disposed on one surface of the cover main body 33. The reinforcing antenna 24 and the cover body 33 are integrally formed. The cover main body 33 is waterproof. The cover body 33 has an adhesive layer that can be attached to and peeled off from the skin on the surface on which the augmenting antenna 24 is disposed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the cover main body 33 is used by covering the communication device 11 together with the augmenting antenna 24 and attaching the edge to the user's arm. Also by this modification, the same operation effect as the above-mentioned embodiment is produced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, data is transmitted from the communication device and the enhancement antenna to the external device. However, it is only necessary that they can communicate with each other wirelessly, and even if the communication device and the enhancement antenna receive data from the external device. Good.

  Moreover, the site | part to which a communication apparatus and a waterproof cover are attached is not limited to an arm. For example, the communication device 11 may be attached to the abdomen, and this may be covered with the waterproof cover 35 of the modified example 2, and the present invention includes a form of attaching to a part other than the arm.

  The data transmitted by the communication device 11 is not limited to data related to blood sugar levels. For example, the communication device 11 may detect and transmit a pulse. The communication device 11 can be applied to detection of any biological information.

10 Waterproof communication set,
11 communication device,
12 External equipment,
13, 33 Cover body,
14, 24 Enhancement antenna,
15, 25, 35 waterproof cover,
110 guide needle,
111 communication device body,
112 sensors,
113 Main antenna,
114 insertion hole,
120 control unit,
121 display,
130 rubber band,
140 Connector.

Claims (4)

A cover main body that can cover the communication device in a state where the communication device that can wirelessly communicate data related to biological information with an external device and has a main antenna is attached to the body surface;
An enhancement antenna provided in the cover body and attachable to the communication device;
Have
The cover body is substantially cylindrical, the enhancement antenna, as the metal wire has a three-dimensional structure which is wound spirally along the inner peripheral surface of the cover body, the inside of the cover body A waterproof cover having a winding length longer than a winding length of the main antenna.   The waterproof cover according to claim 1, wherein the biological information is a blood glucose level. An external device,
A communication device capable of wirelessly communicating data related to biological information with the external device and including a main antenna;
In a state where the communication device is attached to the body surface, a cover body that can cover the communication device;
An enhancement antenna provided in the cover body and attachable to the communication device;
Have
The cover body is substantially cylindrical, the enhancement antenna, as the metal wire has a three-dimensional structure which is wound spirally along the inner peripheral surface of the cover body, the inside of the cover body The waterproof communication set having a winding length longer than a winding length of the main antenna.   The waterproof communication set according to claim 3, wherein the biological information is a blood glucose level.

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