Method and device for measuring bio-impedance data of a person

Abstract

A method and a device for determining biological impedance data of a person, in which least one impedance value is measured with the use of at least two electrodes and is transmitted to an evaluation unit. In the area of at least one output device, information concerning the person is made available for assuming an optimum body posture for the measurement of the biological impedance.

Claims

1. A device for determining biological impedance data of a standing person, the device comprising: two pairs of electrodes for each hand of the standing person for measuring at least one biological impedance value, wherein each of the two pairs of electrodes for each hand is arranged on a separate base element and the base elements are arranged on a support element so that the base elements are separated by a distance, the base elements being arranged symmetrically relative to a vertical mid-line of the support element, and each electrode is dimensioned to be contactable with two fingers of the person; at least two electrodes for each foot of the standing person for measuring at least one biological impedance value; an evaluation unit for transmitting measurement values, the electrodes being coupled to the evaluation unit; an output device for making available information concerning an optimum body posture of the person, the evaluation unit being coupled to the output device, wherein the output device is constructed for showing visual information on a display; at least one measuring device for determining an actual body posture of the person, wherein the evaluation unit is operatively constructed to carry out a comparison between a desired value and an actual value with respect to body posture of the person; and, an electronic storage device that stores data identifying the person, data regarding a desired body posture of the person and data regarding electrodes contacted by the person when the person is correctly positioned so that with a renewed use of the device for determining biological impedance data by the person an actual occupied body posture and actual contacted electrodes are identified and the output device directs the person with corresponding indicators to assume positions dictated by the stored data, within a maximum allowable deviation, wherein the display is configured to show corrective information at least for adjustments of a horizontal position of the hands of the person relative to the pairs of electrodes to be used by the person, wherein the device for determining biological impedance data is a body composition analyzer.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is a camera.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is a mechanical measuring device.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is a contactless measuring device.

5. The device according to claim 1, comprising three pairs of electrodes for each hand of the standing person, each pair of electrodes being arranged on a separate base element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial illustration of a hand grip of a body composition analyzer,

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a person who stands on a body composition analyzer,

(4) FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a visual display with indicators for a correction of the body posture,

(5) FIG. 3B illustrates a display in accordance with FIG. 3A with an indication concerning an already corrected body posture,

(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of another device in which the person to be measured has grasped two hand grips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 1, a hand 1 of a person 2 to be measured is positioned in the area of a grip 3 of a device for determining biological impedance data. In the area of the grip 3, a plurality of electrodes 4, 5 are arranged in pairs. At least in the area of several of the electrodes 4, 5, illuminating displays 6 are arranged, for example, light emitting diodes. Each electrode of the respective pairs of electrodes 4, 5 are dimensioned to be contactable by two fingers of the hand 1 of the person 2.

(8) The illuminating displays 6 can, for example, by means of a green or red color, signal a correct or an incorrect positioning of the hand 1.

(9) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the person standing on the device for measuring biological impedance data. The person 2 has grasped the grip 3 in the area of several electrodes 4, 5. In viewing direction in front of the person 2, a display 7 can be seen. The display 7 may be for example, a screen or LED.

(10) In the area of a standing surface 8, electrodes 9, 10 for the feet 11, 12 of the person 2 are arranged. A scale 13 for determining the weight of the person 2 may be positioned in the area of the standing surface 8.

(11) In the illustrated embodiment, the grip 3 extends comparable to a railing in a semicircle. Moreover, the grip 3 is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal direction for reinforcing a positioning of the electrodes 4, 5 which is favorable for gripping.

(12) Several pairs of electrodes 4, 5 may be arranged along the hand grip 3. In this connection each pair provides a position for the hands of the user. The correct body posture of the user can be obtained, for example, with the use of an electrical recognition of the respective pairs of electrodes contacting the person.

(13) For example, it is possible in a first use by an assistant to determine a correct positioning for the hand of the person to be measured. This position can be stored, for example, in an electronic patient file. During the next use a comparison is made whether the respective user has once again contacted the electrodes in the position which is already known as being correct. A report back to the person to be measured or the assistant can be carried out, for example, in the area of hand grip 3 by illuminating green or red LED 6. When correctly positioned, the green LED would be controlled or when incorrectly positioned the red LED would be controlled.

(14) FIG. 3A shows an indicator 7 constructed as a display with an illustration of a person 2 who has grasped the hand electrodes 14, 15. In the area of the indicator 7, correction displays 16, 17 are provided for the left and the right hand of the person 2. The correction displays 16, 17 may signal, for example, whether the respective hand should be raised or lowered to a greater extent, or whether the respective hand has to be positioned further to the left or to the right.

(15) In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 3B, it is signaled that no correction of the hand position is required.

(16) FIG. 4 shows another person that holds a hand electrode 14 in the right hand.

(17) Considered in particular is the use of contactless measuring devices. An optical measurement can be carried out with the use of a camera or without the use of a camera. For example, light barriers, laser scanners or carrying out a triangulation can be used. Also generally usable are electric measuring methods, as well as capacitive measurements. Another measurement can be carried out with the use of ultrasound.