Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11185247-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A body fat measurement apparatus, according to the present invention, comprises: an electrode unit which has a plurality of electrodes and can be worn around the body of the subject to be measured; a first measurement unit which is for obtaining a three-dimensional image of the subject's body part to be measured; a second measurement unit which is for measuring the impedance by means of injecting a current into the electrodes; and a control unit which is for restoring the conductivity and permittivity images of the subject by means of the three-dimensional image and the impedance value and thus separately calculating the amount of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. According to the present invention, measurement accuracy of the subcutaneous fat and visceral fat can be improved even at a low cost.
Core Innovation
A body fat measurement apparatus includes an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes configured to be attachable or wearable around a body of a subject to be measured. A first measurement unit obtains a three-dimensional image for a measurement target part of the subject by taking photos of the electrode and detects location information for the plurality of electrodes on the obtained 3D image. A second measurement unit measures an impedance value by injecting current into the plurality of electrodes.
A control unit restores at least one conductivity and permittivity image of the subject using the location information for the plurality of electrodes on the 3D image and the impedance value measured from voltage induced by the injected current. The control unit separately calculates an amount of subcutaneous fat and an amount of visceral fat, and the calculation distinguishes the amount of subcutaneous fat and the amount of visceral fat using the detected location information and the restored conductivity and permittivity image corresponding to at least one measurement protocol of injecting current and measuring voltage induced by the injected current.
In an embodiment, electrode types include composite electrodes and/or simple electrodes installed on an elastic electrode belt via a plurality of electrode installation holes, with colored-pattern markers facing the first measurement unit corresponding to respective electrodes. The first measurement unit uses a photographing unit with a photographing support and a rotator, and adjusts photographing position and distance relative to the subject to capture the 3D image. Additional processing includes calculating a circumference of the measurement target part and a location of a selected electrode from the completed 3D image, and outputting body-type and fat-related indices/visualizations based on the separate fat amounts.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim supported by multiple dependent claims that add structural and imaging/measurement details.
Electrode belt with 3D electrode location detection
A body fat measurement apparatus with an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes configured to be attachable or wearable; a first measurement unit obtains a 3D image of a measurement target part by taking photos of the electrode and detects location information for the plurality of electrodes on the obtained 3D image.
Impedance measurement from voltage induced by injected current
A second measurement unit measures an impedance value by injecting current into the plurality of electrodes, using the voltage induced by the injected current.
Restoration of conductivity and permittivity images and separate fat calculation
A control unit restores at least one conductivity and permittivity image using the detected electrode location information and the impedance value measured from voltage induced by the injected current; the control unit separately calculates an amount of subcutaneous fat and an amount of visceral fat distinguished using the detected location information and the restored conductivity and permittivity image corresponding to at least one measurement protocol of injecting current and measuring voltage induced by the injected current.
Composite and/or simple electrodes on an elastic electrode belt
The electrode unit includes composite electrodes and/or simple electrodes installed on an elastic electrode belt with a plurality of electrode installation holes.
Colored-pattern markers for electrode identification in 3D imaging
The electrode belt includes an exposed marker surface facing the first measurement unit, with colored-pattern markers corresponding to respective electrodes.
Photographing unit with support and rotator for 3D image capture
The first measurement unit uses a photographing unit including a photographing support and a rotator, to photograph the measurement target part and adjust photographing position and distance relative to the subject.
Cable belt and impedance measurer for voltage induced by injected current
The second measurement unit includes a cable belt connecting the plurality of electrodes to an impedance measurer configured to measure voltage induced by the injected current and transmit the measured voltage to the control unit.
Circumference and selected electrode location calculation from 3D image
The control unit calculates a circumference of the measurement target part and a location of a selected electrode after completing the 3D image using the first measurement unit.
The independent claim centers on combining 3D electrode location detection with impedance measurements, restoring conductivity and permittivity images, and separately calculating subcutaneous fat and visceral fat based on the restored images tied to a measurement protocol. Dependent claims add specific electrode types and elastic belt construction, marker-based localization, photographing support and rotator details, cable-belt voltage transmission for impedance measurement, and additional calculations from the completed 3D image.
Stated Advantages
Improved accuracy at low cost.
Documented Applications
Body fat measurement using electrode belts and 3D imaging to output body-type information and fat-related indices/visualizations by separately calculating subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.
Interested in licensing this patent?