Abstract: A material hardness distribution display system (10) includes a probe unit (20) in which a plurality of probe elements (22) are two-dimensionally arranged. Each of the probe elements (22) has an oscillator (26) for introducing oscillation into a biological tissue and an oscillation detection sensor (28) which detects a reflected wave. The probe elements (22) are successively selected by a switch circuit (50) and connected to a hardness calculation unit (70) and a measurement depth calculation unit (82). The hardness calculation unit (70) executes a frequency component analysis for an incident wave signal to the oscillator (26) and a reflected wave signal from the oscillation detection sensor (28) to calculate the hardness of the biological tissue on the basis of the analysis results.

Abstract: A material hardness distribution display system (10) includes a probe unit (20) in which a plurality of probe elements (22) are two-dimensionally arranged. Each of the probe elements (22) has an oscillator (26) for introducing oscillation into a biological tissue and an oscillation detection sensor (28) which detects a reflected wave. The probe elements (22) are successively selected by a switch circuit (50) and connected to a hardness calculation unit (70) and a measurement depth calculation unit (82). The hardness calculation unit (70) executes a frequency component analysis for an incident wave signal to the oscillator (26) and a reflected wave signal from the oscillation detection sensor (28) to calculate the hardness of the biological tissue on the basis of the analysis results.

Abstract: We disclose an elasticity-measuring device which can be inserted into a canal part of living body and which is capable of quantitatively measuring the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part. The device consists of a probe base (5) and probes (7). The probes (7) are secured to probe base (5) and driven to press onto and return from biological tissue. According to the stress or hardness of the biological tissue measured by sensors on probes (7) and to the deviation between the probes (7) and the probe base (5), we can decide the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part quantitatively.

Abstract: A device for measuring elastic properties, comprising a long bar-like probe base (42) and probes (50a, 50c) fitted to the probe base (42) driven as to be pressed against and withdrawn from a living body tissue. The probes are so formed that generally semi-spherical contact balls (58) having stress detection bases (56) are fitted to the ends of leaf strings (52) and stress detection sensors (60) are disposed on the stress detection bases (56). Light-receiving elements are fitted to the opposite side of the leaf displacement sensors (62a, 62b). The stress sensors (60) and displacement sensors (62a, 62b) are connected to the device body through signal lines (92, 94), respectively. The profile of the displacement of the tissue is calculated and displayed in a manner indicating correlation with stress.

Abstract: A biological property check device includes a plurality of probes (20) each having a light emitting element (26) for applying light to a biological tissue and a light reception element (28) for detecting the reflected light. Each probe (20) is successively selected by a switch circuit (60) under control of a control section (76) and connected to a property calculation section (64). The property calculation section (64) includes a phase shift circuit for changing the frequency according to the phase difference between the input waveform to the light emitting element (26) and the output waveform from the light reception element (28). According to the frequency change, the property of the biological tissue is calculated. The property calculated is displayed on a display section (74) via a data collection section (70) and a display processing section (72).

Abstract: In a hardness measurement system, selecting an operating frequency is facilitated by using a phase shift circuit. A hardness sensor is connected to an operating frequency selection apparatus and in a free end state the amplitude versus frequency characteristic is acquired, and the frequency and the phase of the peaks are measured and acquired as the free end characteristic. Next, the hardness sensor is placed into contact with a first test piece, and the frequency and the phase that change for the peaks are measured and acquired as the first characteristic. The same procedure is performed for a second test piece that is harder than the first test piece to yield the second characteristic. Based on these characteristics and a predetermined selection criterion a peak suitable for hardness measurement is selected and the operating frequency is set from the frequency of the peak.

Abstract: A biological property check device includes a plurality of probes (20) each having a light emitting element (26) for applying light to a biological tissue and a light reception element (28) for detecting the reflected light. Each probe (20) is successively selected by a switch circuit (60) under control of a control section (76) and connected to a property calculation section (64). The property calculation section (64) includes a phase shift circuit for changing the frequency according to the phase difference between the input waveform to the light emitting element (26) and the output waveform from the light reception element (28). According to the frequency change, the property of the biological tissue is calculated. The property calculated is displayed on a display section (74) via a data collection section (70) and a display processing section (72).

Abstract: The selection of an operating frequency is further facilitated in a hardness measurement system for measuring the hardness of an object using a phase shift circuit. A hardness sensor is connected to an operating frequency selection apparatus and in a free end state the amplitude versus frequency characteristic is acquired, and the frequency and the phase of the peaks are measured and acquired as the free end characteristic (S10-S20). Next, the hardness sensor is placed into contact with a first test piece, and the frequency and the phase that change for the peaks are measured and acquired as the first characteristic (S22-S28). The same procedure is performed for a second test piece that is harder than the first test piece to yield the second characteristic (S30-S36). On the basis of these characteristics, the selection of a peak suitable for hardness measurement is performed on the basis of a predetermined selection criterion and the operating frequency is set from the frequency of the peak.

Abstract: To be able to detect a displacement amount of a moving object by a resolution of from micrometer to nanometer by a simple structure. An excitation coil 23 and a detection coil 25 are arranged to align and a magnetic body probe 27 in a conical shape a sectional area of which is change in a longitudinal direction is arranged in a state of being inserted into an air core portion of the excitation coil 23. An output terminal from the detection coil 25 is connected to an amplifier 33 and a phase shifting circuit 35 is provided between the amplifier 33 and an input terminal of the excitation coil 23. When the probe 27 of the magnetic body is moved at inside of the air core portion of the excitation coil 23, inductance of the excitation coil 23 is changed, a phase difference is produced between an input signal inputted to the excitation coil 23 and an output signal outputted from the detection coil 25 and the phase shifting circuit 35 changes a frequency to nullify the phase difference.

Abstract: A catheter sensor fabricated by applying a hardness sensor having a simple structure and being advantageous for the miniaturization to a catheter is provided. The catheter sensor for measuring hardness of a portion to be measured in a blood vessel or the other organ comprises a casing (13), that contains an oscillation section (11) for emitting oscillation to a portion to be measured and an oscillating wave reception section (12) for receiving reflective oscillation, and a signal processing section (20) for calculating hardness of a portion to be measured on the basis of a change in the phases of the emitted oscillation of the oscillation section and the reflective oscillation of the oscillating wave reception section. The casing is filled with a kind of liquid (14).

Abstract: A processing terminal 10 includes a writing implement (ball point pen) 30. The writing implement 30 is provided with a tilt change detecting mechanism for detecting a change in a tilt with respect to a writing implement main body of a lead and a vibration detecting mechanism for detecting the change in the vibration of the vibrated lead at the time of handwriting. The processing terminal 10 produces handwriting motion information based on both of the detected changes in the tilt of the lead and in the vibration. A handwriting identification organization 20 compares handwriting motion information with inherent information stored previously to identify handwriting. Thereby it can achieve high reliability in an authentication system with a simple structure.

Abstract: To provide an intraductal foreign body removal instrument which can remove fibrous foreign bodies 80 out of a duct 90 without damaging inner walls of the duct 90 using a simple mechanism. The instrument has a flexible insertion tube 20 inserted in the duct 90, a wire 30 made of flexible wire material and inserted in the insertion tube 20; and a rotating device 40 which rotates the wire 30 in the insertion tube 20. Furthermore, the instrument 10 has a flexible guide tube 25 which is inserted in the duct 90 and into which the insertion tube 20 is inserted loosely.

Abstract: According to a human spinal column measuring and displaying system of the invention, a probe is pinched between the second finger and the third finger of a measuring person, front ends of the fingers are moved from the first thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra of the spinal column of a measured subject, detaching amounts from reference positions in X, Y and Z directions are detected by three-dimensionally moving the front ends of the fingers. Based on measured data, positions of displaying the vertebrae in correspondence with positions of coordinates in X direction, Y direction and Z direction of the respective vertebrae are moved and a three-dimensional image of the spinal column of the measured subject is generated and the image of the spinal column is displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: A device for measuring elastic properties, comprising a long bar-like probe base (42) and probes (50a, 50c) fitted to the probe base (42) driven as to be pressed against and withdrawn from a living body tissue. The probes are so formed that generally semi-spherical contact balls (58) having stress detection bases (56) are fitted to the ends of leaf strings (52) and stress detection sensors (60) are disposed on the stress detection bases (56). Light-receiving elements are fitted to the opposite side of the leaf displacement sensors (62a, 62b). The stress sensors (60) and displacement sensors (62a, 62b) are connected to the device body through signal lines (92, 94), respectively. The profile of the displacement of the tissue is calculated and displayed in a manner indicating correlation with stress.

Abstract: To be able to detect a displacement amount of a moving object by a resolution of from micrometer to nanometer by a simple structure. An excitation coil 23 and a detection coil 25 are arranged to align and a magnetic body probe 27 in a conical shape a sectional area of which is change in a longitudinal direction is arranged in a state of being inserted into an air core portion of the excitation coil 23. An output terminal from the detection coil 25 is connected to an amplifier 33 and a phase shifting circuit 35 is provided between the amplifier 33 and an input terminal of the excitation coil 23. When the probe 27 of the magnetic body is moved at inside of the air core portion of the excitation coil 23, inductance of the excitation coil 23 is changed, a phase difference is produced between an input signal inputted to the excitation coil 23 and an output signal outputted from the detection coil 25 and the phase shifting circuit 35 changes a frequency to nullify the phase difference.

Abstract: We disclose an elasticity-measuring device which can be inserted into a canal part of living body and which is capable of quantitatively measuring the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part. The device consists of a probe base (5) and probes (7). The probes (7) are secured to probe base (5) and driven to press onto and return from biological tissue. According to the stress or hardness of the biological tissue measured by sensors on probes (7) and to the deviation between the probes (7) and the probe base (5), we can decide the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part quantitatively.

Abstract: To be able to detect a displacement amount of a moving object by a resolution of from micrometer to nanometer by a simple structure. An excitation coil 23 and a detection coil 25 are arranged to align and a magnetic body probe 27 in a conical shape a sectional area of which is change in a longitudinal direction is arranged in a state of being inserted into an air core portion of the excitation coil 23. An output terminal from the detection coil 25 is connected to an amplifier 33 and a phase shifting circuit 35 is provided between the amplifier 33 and an input terminal of the excitation coil 23. When the probe 27 of the magnetic body is moved at inside of the air core portion of the excitation coil 23, inductance of the excitation coil 23 is changed, a phase difference is produced between an input signal inputted to the excitation coil 23 and an output signal outputted from the detection coil 25 and the phase shifting circuit 35 changes a frequency to nullify the phase difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a specimen in order to handle the specimen, e.g., a cell, easily and quickly with high accuracy. A standing wave vibration (V) having at least one node (N1, N2) is generated in a vibrator (11). A specimen in a medium (30) is captured at a position in the vicinity of the surface of the node (N1, N2) and then turned in this position. The capturing position of the specimen (S) is altered through variable control of the vibration mode of the standing wave vibration (V), and the moving route, moving speed, or rotational speed of the specimen (S) is controlled as desired through variable control of the vibration parameters (e.g., frequency, amplitude, intermittent frequency) of the standing wave vibration (V).

Abstract: The present invention facilitates measurement of characteristic values corresponding to hardness of a material to be measured inside a living body using the response of a vibration transmission characteristic without the need to remove other tissue materials of the living body by dissecting or opening the abdomen of the living body.

Abstract: According to a human spinal column measuring and displaying system 1 of the invention, a probe 3 is pinched between the second finger and the third finger of a measuring person, front ends of the fingers are moved from the first thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra of the spinal column of a measured subject, detaching amounts from reference positions in X, Y and Z directions are detected by three-dimensionally moving the front ends of the fingers, converted data storing means stores the detaching amounts detected by the probe as respective values of measured data in X-axis direction, Y-axis direction and Z-axis direction, gender and height of the measured subject is inputted by an input apparatus, when from a basic diagram data 15 stored with an average size and a basic shape of each of the vertebrae constituting the spinal column of the human body by the gender and the height of the measured subject, in accordance with the gender and the height of the measured subject inputted by the input apparatu