Patent Description:
In recent years, in the field of medical analysis, a disposable analyzer in which a sample is supplied to a sensor has been widely used, due to ease of handling. For example, with a small mobile blood glucose meter, blood that serves as a sample is introduced by suction into a capillary formed in a small strip-like sensor, and reacts with a reagent that has been provided inside the sensor in advance. Moreover, an electric current value is measured by electrochemically measuring a reagent component that has reacted with glucose in the blood, and the measured electric current value is applied to a calibration curve to calculate a blood glucose level. Also, the blood glucose meter displays the calculated blood glucose level on a screen or the like.

Increase in usage of such a sensor has been accompanied by user demand for improvement in the usability of the sensor. For example, <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>) discloses a measuring apparatus that includes a light source that illuminates a portion of a sensor to which a sample is supplied in order to easily supply the sample to the sensor in a dark place.

Also, for example, <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>) discloses a measuring apparatus (a blood glucose meter) that causes a display to display a glucose level in blood, and that emits light of a color corresponding to the glucose level from a backlight of the display at the same time. It is conceivable that according to the measuring apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, a user is able to immediately know whether his or her blood glucose level is normal, and therefore, usability will be significantly improved.

However, in the case where the measuring apparatus is a blood glucose meter, the user is usually a patient suffering from diabetes and often has poor eyesight, and thus, usability of the measuring apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM> is not sufficiently improved.

On the other hand, according to the measuring apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, although usability is significantly improved, it is necessary to use a backlight that can emit light of a plurality of colors as a backlight of the display. Therefore, the measuring apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM> is problematic in that the manufacturing cost is high. Further, <CIT> discloses a blood test apparatus for measuring the blood sugar level in blood, but which has similar shortcomings.

This invention was made to solve the above-described issues, and an object of at least the preferred embodiments thereof is to provide a sensor and a measuring apparatus whose usability for a user is improved and with which an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

A sensor according to a first aspect of the present invention is a sensor that is to be used for measuring biological information of a user, comprising: a substrate that includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate; and an electrode that is provided on the lower substrate, wherein the upper substrate, the lower substrate, and the electrode are optically transparent or translucent, and an information display unit provided on the substrate which is configured to display identification information of the sensor by a pattern formed by using at least one of a transmitting portion that allows light entering the substrate to pass through and a light-blocking portion that blocks light entering the substrate. Each of the upper substrate, the lower substrate and the electrode may be an optically transparent member. Each of the upper substrate, the lower substrate and the electrode may be an optically translucent member.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, it is possible to cause the sensor to shine (i.e. emit light) by illuminating the sensor itself, and thus, for example, as a result of changing the emission mode of light at that time in accordance with the measurement result or the like, the measurement result or the like can be intuitively understood due to light emitted from the sensor. Also, because the user often pays attention to the sensor when supplying a sample to the sensor, usability for him or her is further increased by notifying the measurement result or the like by causing the sensor to shine. Furthermore, because it is not necessary to provide a display or the like that can emit light of a plurality of colors, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, for example, because identification wiring can be formed in the same manufacturing step as that for sensor wiring, identification information can be displayed for each sensor using a simple configuration without making holes in a substrate using a different pattern.

Preferably, the electrode may include a first electrode that is formed on one face of the substrate and a second electrode that is formed on another face of the substrate, and the first electrode and the second electrode may be electrically connected to each other via a through hole that passes through the substrate.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, when the sensor is used, a user can check that a sample has been introduced by suction from either the front side or the back side, and thus, usability for him or her is further improved.

Preferably, the substrate may be configured to further include a reflective portion that reflects light entering the substrate.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, even in the case where a user has poor eyesight, he or she can easily check information relating to the sensor.

Preferably, at least a portion of an edge of the substrate may be colored.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, the sensor can be caused to stand out even if the substrate and the electrode are formed by an optically transparent member, and thus, it is possible to prevent the sensor from being lost and to easily see the shape of the sensor.

A measuring apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a measuring apparatus for measuring biological information of a user, using a sensor in which an upper substrate and a lower substrate that are included in a substrate, and an electrode that is provided on the lower substrate are optically transparent or translucent, the measuring apparatus comprising: a main body in which an insertion opening is provided for insertion of the sensor; and a first light source that is provided inside the main body for illuminating the sensor. Each of the upper substrate, the lower substrate and the electrode may be an optically transparent member. Each of the upper substrate, the lower substrate and the electrode may be an optically translucent member.

According to the measuring apparatus having such a configuration, it is possible to cause the sensor to shine (i.e. emit light) by illuminating the sensor itself, and thus, for example, as a result of changing the emission mode of light at that time in accordance with the measurement result or the like, the measurement result or the like can be intuitively understood due to light emitted from the sensor. Also, because the user often pays attention to the sensor when supplying a sample to the sensor, usability for him or her is further increased by notifying the measurement result or the like by causing the sensor to shine. Furthermore, because it is not necessary to provide a display or the like that can emit light of a plurality of colors, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Preferably, the measuring apparatus may further include an identification information reading unit for reading identification information that is indicated by a pattern formed on the substrate of the sensor by using at least one of a transmitting portion that allows light entering the substrate to pass through and a light-blocking portion that blocks light entering the substrate, and the identification information reading unit may include a second light source that emits light onto the pattern, a light-receiving portion that receives light that has passed through the pattern, and a specifying unit that specifies the identification information based on the light received by the light-receiving portion.

According to the measuring apparatus having such a configuration, for example, because identification wiring can be formed in the same manufacturing step as that for sensor wiring, it is possible to specify identification information of the sensor by distinguishing between the transmission of light and the blocking of light, without checking holes made in a substrate using a different pattern, or the like. In other words, it is possible to easily specify identification information for each sensor.

Preferably, in the measuring apparatus, the first light source may emit light in various emission modes in accordance with a measurement result of the measuring apparatus.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system comprising the sensor and measuring apparatus as hereinbefore described.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sensor and a measuring apparatus whose usability for a user is improved and with which an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

First, the configurations of a measuring apparatus <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> in an embodiment of the present invention will be described using <FIG>, <FIG>.

First, the configuration of the measuring apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention will be described using <FIG> is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the measuring apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the measuring apparatus <NUM> is a medical device for measuring biological information on a user, and examples thereof include a blood glucose meter, a lactic acid meter, a ketone body measuring apparatus, a urine test strip meter, and a lipid measuring apparatus. The embodiment of the present invention will describe a case in which the measuring apparatus <NUM> is a mobile blood glucose meter for measuring the blood glucose level in the blood of a user.

The measuring apparatus <NUM> includes a main body <NUM>, an insertion opening <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>. A connection terminal is provided inside the insertion opening <NUM>. In addition, in the present embodiment, a switch (not shown) of the main body <NUM> is turned on by the sensor <NUM> being inserted into the insertion opening <NUM>, as a result of which the measuring apparatus <NUM> is started (i.e. turned on).

The sensor <NUM> has a small strip-like shape, for example, and accommodates a reagent and an electrode. When blood, which is the sample, that was collected from a user is introduced by suction into a capillary formed in the sensor <NUM>, the reagent reacts with the blood inside the sensor <NUM>.

If the reagent reacts with blood in a state in which the measuring apparatus <NUM> is on, the measuring apparatus <NUM> measures an electric current value by electrochemically measuring the reagent component that has reacted with glucose in blood, and applies the measured electric current value to a calibration curve to calculate the blood glucose level of the user. The measuring apparatus <NUM> then displays the measurement result on the display unit <NUM>.

Next, the configuration of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described using <FIG> is a top view of the sensor in the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting line A-A shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> incudes a substrate <NUM> that includes an upper substrate <NUM> and a lower substrate <NUM>, and an electrode <NUM> for measurement that is provided on the lower substrate <NUM>. Also, the upper substrate <NUM>, the lower substrate <NUM>, and the electrode <NUM> are formed by an optically transparent member. In the present embodiment, human blood is used as the sample.

According to the sensor <NUM> having such a configuration, it is possible to cause the sensor <NUM> to shine by illuminating the sensor <NUM> itself, and thus, for example, as a result of changing the emission mode of light at that time in accordance with the measurement result or the like, the measurement result or the like can be intuitively understood due to light emitted from the sensor <NUM>. Also, because the user often pays attention to the sensor <NUM> when supplying a sample to the sensor <NUM>, usability for him or her is increased by notifying the measurement result or the like by causing the sensor <NUM> itself to shine. Furthermore, because it is not necessary to provide a display or the like that can emit light of a plurality of colors, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Hereinafter, a more specific configuration of the sensor <NUM> will be described.

The sensor <NUM> further includes a reagent <NUM> and an air opening <NUM>. Also, in addition to the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM>, the substrate <NUM> further has an information display unit <NUM>, and a spacer <NUM> such as a side wall or the like that is inserted between the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM>. Also, the electrode <NUM> is formed on the lower substrate <NUM>, and has a pair of electrodes 22a and 22b. Also, the space formed by the spacer <NUM> between the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> corresponds to a flow passage <NUM>.

The reagent <NUM> is applied so as to extend over the electrodes 22a and 22b. It should be noted that although the reagent <NUM> is applied on the electrodes 22a and 22b in this example, it is sufficient that the reagent <NUM> is in contact with at least one of the electrodes.

Also, examples of the reagent <NUM> include oxidoreductases such as glucose oxidase (GOD) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), and potassium ferricyanide and hexaammineruthenium chloride that serve as a mediator.

The flow passage <NUM> guides a sample introduced from the outside to the reagent <NUM>. The air opening <NUM> is formed in the upper substrate <NUM>, and allows the sample that has been supplied from the tip portion of the sensor <NUM> in the direction of an arrow B shown in <FIG>, for example, to smoothly flow in the flow passage <NUM>.

The upper substrate <NUM> is formed to be shorter than the lower substrate <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, and portions of the electrodes 22a and 22b are exposed. This is for, as described later, electrically connecting the electrodes 22a and 22b formed on the lower substrate <NUM> to a connection terminal inside the insertion opening <NUM>.

The upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> are formed by using, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as an optically transparent member. The electrodes 22a and 22b are formed by using, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) as an optically transparent member.

More specifically, a film of indium tin oxide is formed on the lower substrate <NUM> formed by using polyethylene terephthalate, and laser trimming, chemical etching, or the like is performed on the film to form the electrodes 22a and 22b.

A predetermined amount of the reagent <NUM> is then dropped on the electrodes 22a and 22b, and the spacer <NUM> is attached using optically transparent double-sided tape or the like to form the flow passage <NUM>. The upper substrate <NUM> is then attached thereto to produce the sensor <NUM>.

Also, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> are configured to have a colored edge. It should be noted that it is not necessary for the entire edge to be colored, and a portion of the edge may be colored. Also, a mark for indicating the opening to which the sample is supplied may be formed on a tip portion of the sensor <NUM>.

The information display unit <NUM> is provided on the upper substrate <NUM>, and displays identification information of the sensor <NUM>. This information display unit <NUM> displays identification information using a pattern formed by using at least one of a transmitting portion that allows light entering the upper substrate <NUM> to pass through, and a light-blocking portion that blocks light entering the upper substrate <NUM>.

It should be noted that although the information display unit <NUM> may be provided on the lower substrate <NUM>, it is preferable that the information display unit <NUM> is provided at a position where the flow of the sample in the flow passage <NUM> is not prevented.

<FIG> are diagrams showing specific examples of patterns on the information display unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes two regions 25a and 25b obtained by dividing the information display unit <NUM> into right and left portions. The information display unit <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> is formed by a left region 25a that is a transmitting portion and a right region 25b that is a light-blocking portion. Also, the information display unit <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> is formed by a left region 25a that is a light-blocking portion and a right region 25b that is a transmitting portion. Also, the information display unit <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> is formed by a left region 25a that is a light-blocking portion and the right region 25b that is a light-blocking portion.

In this manner, as a result of different patterns formed by using at least one of a transmitting portion and a light-blocking portion, the information display unit <NUM> can display different identification information. Examples of this identification information include the lot number of the sensor <NUM>, the expiration data of the sensor <NUM>, and information relating to sensitivity correction of the sensor <NUM>.

Next, the internal configuration of the insertion opening <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described using <FIG> is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the measuring apparatus and the sensor in the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a light source (a first light source) <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, a pair of connection terminals 32a and 32b, an identification information reading unit <NUM>, and a measuring unit <NUM> are provided inside the insertion opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The identification information reading unit <NUM> includes a pair of a light source (a second light source) 36a and a light source (a third light source) 36b, a pair of light-receiving portions 37a and 37b, and a specifying unit <NUM>.

The connection terminals 32a and 32b are respectively connected to the electrodes 22a and 22b of the sensor <NUM> in a state in which the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM>. It should be noted that depiction of the connection terminal 32b is omitted in <FIG>.

The light source 36a and the light-receiving portion 37a are provided at a position corresponding to the left region 25a of the information display unit <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> in a state in which the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM>. Also, although depiction is omitted in <FIG>, the light source 36b and the light-receiving portion 37b are provided at a position corresponding to the right region 25b of the information display unit <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> in a state in which the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM>.

The specifying unit <NUM> controls light emission from the light sources 36a and 36b. Also, the specifying unit <NUM> acquires a result of the light-receiving portions 37a and 37b receiving light, and specifies identification information of the sensor <NUM> based on the acquired light reception result.

The measuring unit <NUM> measures an electric current value by electrochemically measuring the reagent <NUM> that has reacted with the sample, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> changes the emission mode of light emitted from the light source <NUM> in accordance with the measurement result acquired from the measuring unit <NUM>. It should be noted that the emission modes are set by changing at least one of the light wavelength, the lighting interval, and the like.

Next, operations when the measuring apparatus <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention are used will be described with reference to drawings.

<FIG> is a flowchart for describing a flow of operations when the measuring apparatus and the sensor in the embodiment of the present invention are used.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> described above, first, it is assumed that, for example, a user of the measuring apparatus <NUM> grips the sensor <NUM> in his or her hand, and inserts the sensor <NUM> into the insertion opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the electrodes 22a and 22b are respectively connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b, a switch (not shown) of the main body <NUM> is turned on and the measuring apparatus <NUM> is started, as a result of which the main body <NUM> detects that the sensor <NUM> is inserted (step S1).

Next, when the main body detects that the sensor <NUM> is inserted, the specifying unit <NUM> causes the light sources 36a and 36b to emit light. Thereafter, the specifying unit <NUM> specifies identification information of the sensor <NUM> that has been inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> based on light received by the light-receiving portions 37a and 37b.

For example, it is assumed that the left region 25a of the information display unit <NUM> is a transmitting portion, and the right region 25b thereof is a light-blocking portion. In this case, the light-receiving portion 37a is irradiated with light emitted from the light source 36a, and receives light that has passed through the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM>. On the other hand, light emitted from the light source 36b is blocked at the right region 25b, and therefore, the light-receiving portion 37b does not receive light from the light source 36b.

The specifying unit <NUM>, for example, stores light reception results from the light-receiving portions 37a and 37b and pieces of identification information of the sensor <NUM> in association with each other in advance. Accordingly, for example, the specifying unit <NUM> can specify identification information of the sensor <NUM> that has been inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> by acquiring a light-reception result indicating that the light-receiving portion 37a has received light and the light-receiving portion 37b has not received light (step S2).

Next, the specifying unit <NUM> outputs the specified identification information of the sensor <NUM> to the measuring unit <NUM>. Thereafter, the measuring unit <NUM> measures a sample using the acquired identification information. Specifically, the measuring unit <NUM> selects a calibration curve that is to be used for measurement based on the identification information of the sensor <NUM> from among a plurality of calibration curves prepared in advance. Thereafter, the measuring unit <NUM> measures an electric current value obtained by electrochemically measuring the reagent <NUM> that has reacted with the sample via the electrodes 22a and 22b and the connection terminals 32a and 32b. The measuring unit <NUM> then applies the measured value to the selected calibration curve to calculate the blood glucose level of the user (step S3).

It should be noted that reading of identification information of the sensor <NUM> by the identification information reading unit <NUM> (step S2) and measurement of a sample by the measuring unit <NUM> (step S3) may be performed in the opposite order. Specifically, for example, the measuring unit <NUM> may use identification information of the sensor <NUM> that has been read by the identification information reading unit <NUM> after measuring a sample to correct the measurement result, or the like.

Next, the measuring unit <NUM> outputs the measurement result to the control unit <NUM>. Thereafter, the control unit <NUM> causes the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) to display the acquired measurement result. Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> changes the emission mode of light emitted from the light source <NUM> in accordance with the measurement result. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> emits light in a mode that corresponds to the measurement result (step S4). This will be described in detail below using <FIG>.

It should be noted that, for example, in the case where it is difficult for the light source <NUM> to be provided near the insertion opening <NUM> due to the space inside the main body <NUM>, a configuration is possible in which an optical fiber or the like is used to transmit light from the light source <NUM> to the insertion opening <NUM>, or a mirror or the like is used to reflect light from the light source <NUM> to guide the light from the light source <NUM> to the insertion opening <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams showing specific examples of emission modes of light emitted in accordance with a result of measurement performed by the measuring unit shown in <FIG>.

For example, a plurality of LEDs are provided inside the main body <NUM> as the light source <NUM> so as to emit light of a plurality of colors such as blue, green, and red. In addition, the control unit <NUM> emits light toward the sensor <NUM> in various emission modes by switching the LED that is operated in accordance with the measurement result.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, for example, in the case where the blood glucose level is <NUM>/dL or less, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that a blue LED flashes. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> in which the substrate <NUM> and the electrode <NUM> are formed by an optically transparent member flashes in blue (see <FIG>). Also, for example, in the case where the blood glucose level is <NUM> to <NUM>/dL or less, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that the blue LED is lit. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> is lit in blue (see <FIG>).

Also, for example, in the case where the blood glucose level is <NUM> to <NUM>/dL or less, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that a green LED is lit. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> is lit in green (see <FIG>). Also, for example, in the case where the blood glucose level is <NUM> to <NUM>/dL or less, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that a red LED is lit. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> is lit in red (see <FIG>). Furthermore, for example, in the case where the blood glucose level is <NUM>/dL or more, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that the red LED flashes. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> flashes in red (see <FIG>).

It should be noted that as described above, because the control unit <NUM> can cause the sensor <NUM> to emit light in various emission modes in accordance with the measurement result to notify the user of the measurement result, a configuration is possible in which the measurement result is not displayed by the display unit <NUM>.

Also, for example, a reflection board or the like may be provided on side faces of the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> in order to reflect light emitted toward the sensor <NUM>. In such a configuration, because the emission mode of light emitted from the light source <NUM> can be easily checked, the measurement result can be more easily checked.

Also, for example, as a result of the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> being formed using translucent polyethylene terephthalate, the emission mode such as the light color, the light interval, and the like of the light source <NUM> can be more easily checked, compared with a case in which the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> are formed using a transparent member.

As described above, the sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the substrate <NUM> that includes the upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM>, and the electrode <NUM> that is provided on the lower substrate <NUM>, and the upper substrate <NUM>, the lower substrate <NUM>, and the electrode <NUM> are formed by an optically transparent member.

Accordingly, it is possible to cause the sensor to shine by illuminating the sensor itself, and thus, for example, as a result of changing the emission mode of light at that time in accordance with the measurement result or the like, the measurement result or the like can be intuitively understood due to light emitted from the sensor. Also, because a user often pays attention to the sensor <NUM> when supplying a sample to the sensor <NUM>, usability for him or her is further increased by notifying the measurement result or the like by causing the sensor <NUM> to shine. Furthermore, because it is not necessary to provide a display or the like that can emit light of a plurality of color, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Also, in the sensor <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate <NUM> further includes the information display unit <NUM> that displays identification information of the sensor <NUM>. Also, the information display unit <NUM> displays identification information using a pattern formed using at least one of the transmitting portion that allows light entering the substrate <NUM> to pass through and the light-blocking portion that blocks light entering the substrate <NUM>.

According to the sensor <NUM> having such a configuration, for example, because identification wiring can be formed in the same manufacturing step as that for sensor wiring, identification information can be displayed for each sensor <NUM> using a simple configuration without making holes in a substrate <NUM> using a different pattern.

Also, in the sensor <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention, at least one portion of an edge of the substrate <NUM> is colored.

According to the sensor <NUM> having such a configuration, the sensor <NUM> can be caused to stand out even if the substrate <NUM> and the electrode <NUM> are formed by an optically transparent member, and thus, it is possible to prevent the sensor <NUM> from being lost and to easily see the shape of the sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a second upper substrate <NUM>, compared with the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG>. An air opening <NUM> is formed in the second upper substrate <NUM>.

Also, in addition to electrodes (first electrodes) 22a and 22b provided on the upper face of the lower substrate <NUM> and a reagent <NUM>, a pair of electrodes (second electrodes) 42a and 42b, a reagent <NUM>, and a spacer <NUM> such as a side wall inserted between the second upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> are further provided on a lower face of the lower substrate <NUM>. Also, a space that is formed by the spacer <NUM> between the second upper substrate <NUM> and the lower substrate <NUM> corresponds to a flow passage <NUM>.

In other words, a user can supply a sample from either an arrow C direction or an arrow D direction shown in <FIG>. Moreover, in the case where a sample is supplied in the direction of the arrow C, the sample flows inside the flow passage <NUM>, and in the case where a sample is supplied in the direction of the arrow D, the sample flows inside the flow passage <NUM>.

Similarly to the upper substrate <NUM>, the second upper substrate <NUM> is formed by an optically transparent member, and is formed to be shorter than the lower substrate <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. Thus, portions of the electrodes 42a and 42b are exposed.

Accordingly, in the case where the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> so that the upper substrate <NUM> is an upper face, the electrodes 22a and 22b are electrically connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b inside the insertion opening <NUM>. On the other hand, in the case where the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> so that the second upper substrate <NUM> is the upper face, the electrodes 42a and 42b are electrically connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b inside the insertion opening <NUM>.

In this manner, as a result of flow passages and electrodes being provided on both the upper face and the lower face of the lower substrate <NUM>, a user can check that a sample has been introduced by suction from either the front side or the back side when using the sensor <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to provide the sensor <NUM> and the measuring apparatus <NUM> whose usability for a user is increased.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another example of the variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is further provided with regions 25a and 25b of an information display unit <NUM> on the second upper substrate <NUM>, compared with the variation of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, a user can check identification information of the sensor <NUM> from either the front side or the back side.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Also, electrodes (second electrodes) 51a and 51b may be provided on the lower face of the lower substrate <NUM> at positions corresponding to portions of the electrodes (first electrodes) 22a and 22b that are to be connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b when the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, that is, portions of the electrodes 22a and 22b that are exposed from the upper substrate <NUM>.

In such a configuration, for example, through holes 52a and 52b are formed in the lower substrate <NUM>, and a conductive film is provided on the internal walls of these through holes 52a and 52b. The conductive film provided on the inner wall of the through hole 52a allows the electrodes 22a and 51b to be electrically connected to each other, and the conductive film provided on the inner wall of the through hole 52b allows the electrodes 22b and 51b to be electrically connected to each other.

Accordingly, in the case where the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> so that the upper substrate <NUM> is the upper face, the electrodes 22a and 22b are electrically connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b inside the insertion opening <NUM>. On the other hand, in the case where the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the insertion opening <NUM> so that the lower substrate <NUM> is the upper face, the electrodes 51a and 51b are electrically connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b inside the insertion opening <NUM> via the through holes 52a and 52b and the electrodes 22a and 22b.

According to the sensor having such a configuration, similarly to the above-described variation <NUM> (part <NUM>), a user can check that a sample has been introduced by suction from either the front side or the back side when using the sensor <NUM>, the usability for him or her is further increased.

Furthermore, with a configuration in which the electrodes 22a and 22b are electrically connected to the electrodes 51a and 51b via the through holes 52a and 52b, it is possible to realize the sensor <NUM> using a simple configuration, in which a plurality of flow passages do not need to be provided and in which it is possible to check that a sample has been introduced by suction from either the front side or the back side when the sensor <NUM> is used.

As shown in <FIG>, the variation <NUM> (part <NUM>) of the sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is further provided with regions 25a and 25b of the information display unit <NUM> on the lower substrate <NUM>, compared with the variation of the sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, a user can check identification information of the sensor <NUM> from either the front side or the back side.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a variation <NUM> of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the variation <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with reflective portions <NUM> on the upper substrate <NUM>. These reflective portions <NUM> have, for example, a groove shape that is formed so as to expand toward the upper face of the upper substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when light is emitted from the light source <NUM> toward the sensor <NUM>, the light is reflected toward the upper face of the upper substrate <NUM> in the reflective portions <NUM> of the upper substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> is an example of a top view of the sensor when the sensor shown in <FIG> is irradiated with light.

As described above, as a result of light being reflected toward the upper face of the upper substrate <NUM> in the reflective portions <NUM>, for example, as shown in <FIG>, it is possible to display information such as letters or figures relating to the sensor <NUM>.

In this manner, with the configuration in which the substrate <NUM> includes the reflective portions <NUM> that reflect light entering the substrate <NUM>, and the reflective portions <NUM> display information relating to the sensor <NUM> by reflecting light, even in a case where a user has poor eyesight, he or she can easily check information relating to the sensor <NUM>.

In a variation <NUM> of the measuring apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the control unit <NUM> may cause the light source <NUM> to emit light in various emission modes in accordance with the condition under which the measuring apparatus <NUM> is used by a user.

<FIG> are diagrams showing specific examples of emission modes of light emitted in accordance with the condition under which the measuring apparatus is used.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that a blue LED flashes when the sensor <NUM> is inserted into the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> flashes in blue. The control unit <NUM> then continues to cause the blue LED to flash until a sufficient amount of a sample for measurement has been dropped onto the sensor <NUM>. Thereafter, for example, when a sufficient amount of a sample for measurement has been dropped onto the sensor <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> switches the blue LED from flashing to being lit. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> is lit in blue.

Also, for example, as shown in <FIG>, in the case where an error occurred such as the case where a mistake is made in the procedure in which a user uses the sensor <NUM>, or case where appropriate measurement cannot be performed, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that a red LED flashes. Accordingly, the sensor <NUM> flashes in red, and thus, it is possible to notify the user of an error. It should be noted that the control unit <NUM> may have a configuration so as to cause the sensor <NUM> to emit light in a different mode in accordance with types of errors.

According to such a configuration, as a result of a user checking the emission mode of the sensor <NUM>, he or she can understand whether or not the amount of the dropped sample is appropriate, or whether a mistake was made in the usage procedure. Also, because a user often pays attention to the sensor <NUM> when the sample is dropped, with the measuring apparatus <NUM> that allows him or her to check the appropriate amount of the sample or the appropriate usage procedure by checking light emitted from the sensor <NUM>, usability for him or her can be further improved.

Also, compared with an error notification given by outputting sound, limitation on the usage location is reduced, as a result of which usability for a user can be further improved.

As described above, the present invention is useful in the field of medical devices, in particular, small mobile medical devices.

Claim 1:
A sensor (<NUM>) that is to be used for measuring biological information of a user, comprising:
a substrate (<NUM>) that includes an upper substrate (<NUM>) and a lower substrate (<NUM>); and
an electrode (<NUM>) that is provided on the lower substrate (<NUM>),
wherein the upper substrate (<NUM>), the lower substrate (<NUM>), and the electrode (<NUM>) are optically transparent or translucent; and characterised by
an information display unit (<NUM>) provided on the substrate which is configured to display identification information of the sensor (<NUM>) by a pattern formed by using at least one of a transmitting portion that allows light entering the substrate (<NUM>) to pass through and a light-blocking portion that blocks light entering the substrate (<NUM>).