KR100742402B1 - Biological electrodes and biosignal measuring devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The biosignal measuring apparatus includes a bioelectrode attached to a body and a signal processing member attached to the bioelectrode. The bioelectrode includes an insulating sheet including a through hole, a device contact portion formed on an upper surface of the insulating sheet, and a body contact portion formed on the bottom surface of the insulating sheet and integrally formed with the device contact portion through the through hole, and the signal processing member includes: Externally exposed terminals for interview with device contacts, analog signal processors, A / D signal converters and digital signal processors. In the biological electrode, the device contact portion and the body contact portion are formed of a material having conductivity and adhesion, so that the signal processing member can be directly attached, and noise generation can be suppressed to accurately measure a bio signal.

Description

Electrode and Biosignal Measuring Device {ELECTRODE FOR LIVING BODY AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING LIVING SIGNAL}

1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for describing a state in which the bioelectrode of FIG. 1 is attached.

3 is a perspective view for explaining a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bioelectrode and the biosignal measuring apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a function of the signal processor of FIG. 3.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view for describing a biosignal measuring apparatus and a bioelectrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a cross-sectional view for describing a living body electrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the bioelectrode and the biosignal measuring apparatus of FIG. 7.

9 is a cross-sectional view for describing a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the biological electrode of FIG. 9. FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view for describing a living body electrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

12 is a plan view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

100: biological signal measuring device 110: signal processor

120: analog signal processing unit 130: A / D conversion unit

140: digital signal processing unit 150: wireless transmission module

200: biological electrode 210: insulating sheet

220: electrode member 222: device contact portion

224 ： Body contact

The present invention relates to an electrode for a living body. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biological electrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus using the electrode, which can transmit an electrical signal obtained from a living body without loss and can form a simple electrode structure.

The body is also a conductor, and a large amount of current is generated in the body. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the body can be measured by sensing such a small amount of current from the body or the amount of change in the current with respect to an external stimulus. Using these principles, you can measure ECG, EMG, EKG, skin resistance, eye movement, EGO, body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and body movement. Biological electrodes are commonly used to detect changes in the signal.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the bioelectrode of FIG. 1 is attached.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional electrode 10 for a living body includes an adhesive sheet 20 and a metal electrode 30 that are insulative and formed in a circular shape. The metal electrode 30 is formed of a conductive material, and includes a close contact portion 32 formed at a lower portion thereof and a fixing protrusion 34 protruding from the center of the close contact portion 32. A hole may be formed in the center of the adhesive sheet 20 to allow the fixing protrusion 34 to pass through, and the fixing protrusion 34 may be exposed to the outside of the adhesive sheet 20 through the hole. An adhesive material may be applied to the bottom of the adhesive sheet 20 so that the biological electrode 10 may be in close contact with the skin of the body.

The biosignal measuring device 1 includes a main controller 40, a bioelectrode 10, and a connection cable 50. A socket 52 is mounted at an end of the connection cable 50, and a groove for engaging with the fixing protrusion 34 is formed in the socket 52, so that the socket 52 may be electrically connected to the metal electrode 30. The connection cable 50 may be connected to the biological electrode 10 using the socket 52, and may be connected to the main controller 40 using a plug on the opposite side.

The main controller 40 can measure the necessary biosignals with the bioelectrode 10 attached to the body, and from the measured signals, electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and skin resistance. (GSR), eye movement (EOG), and body temperature can be measured.

In general, the metal electrode 30 is directly exposed on the bottom surface of the bioelectrode 10, and even if the adhesive sheet 20 is around, the contact between the metal electrode 30 and the skin may be unstable. Therefore, the gel electrolytic material 60 may be applied to the skin, and the skin and the metal electrode 30 may maintain a relatively stable connection state through the applied electrolytic material.

However, even with gels, connections with conventional bioelectrodes can be easily affected by several factors that can interfere with stable connections. For example, the biosignal may be weakened or noise may be generated while the biosignal is transferred from the skin to the main controller 40 through the process of the skin-gel-metal electrode 30, the socket 52, and the main controller 40. There is a number. In particular, since the metal electrode 30 and the socket 52 make point contact with the fixing protrusion 34, the electrical connection state is very unstable, and may be the biggest reason for preventing accurate measurement.

In particular, biological electrodes are generally used as disposables as consumables. Therefore, a new bioelectrode may be replaced every time a bioelectrode is used. Sometimes, the bioelectrode and the socket may be unstablely connected, and in the conventional electrode connection method of point contact, it is not easy to solve this problem.

In addition, a method of using the fixing protrusion 34 and the socket 52 may be referred to as a snap connection method, which is not advantageous for miniaturizing a biosignal measuring instrument. Because the fixing protrusions 34 are formed on the metal electrode 30, the electrodes cannot be flattened by the fixing protrusions 34, and even when two or more sockets are connected to one bioelectrode, a minimum between the sockets is required. This is because the area of the biological electrode cannot be made small to secure the gap.

In particular, even when integrating a plurality of electrodes in one body, it is difficult to miniaturize the electrode or device because the electrodes for living body must have a plurality of fixing projections or snaps.

In addition, when forming a plurality of snaps in one body, the spacing between snaps is preferably equal to the spacing between terminals of the socket connected to the snap. If the spacing between the snaps is smaller than the spacing between the terminals, the socket may not be mounted on the electrode. If the spacing between the snaps is wider than the spacing between the terminals, the electrode may be warped.

The present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a biological electrode and a biological signal measuring apparatus capable of stably maintaining the connection between the biological electrode and the connection cable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bio-electrode and a bio-signal measuring apparatus capable of transmitting a small amount of current as it is and having a simple structure and suppressing noise generation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of bio-electrodes on one pad at the same time, and to provide a bio-electrode and a bio-signal measuring apparatus capable of miniaturization and slimming.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus that can easily mount and replace an electrode in a device even when a plurality of terminals are formed in one electrode.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bio-electrode and a bio-signal measuring apparatus that are functionally advantageous even when applied to a small or wearable device for measuring a bio-signal.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, the biological electrode includes a sheet member formed through the insulating material and the electrode member formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet member through the through hole. The electrode member includes an apparatus contact portion which contacts the terminal of the measuring device on the top surface of the sheet member and a body contact portion which contacts the skin on the bottom surface of the sheet member. The device contact part and the body contact part are connected through the through hole, and the device contact part is made of a conductive material and can be electrically connected to the terminal of the measuring device through a large area. The microcurrent transmitted through the skin is transmitted through a simple path consisting of an electrode member and a terminal, and is connected through a surface contact instead of a point contact, thereby improving the S / N ratio.

The device contact portion and the body contact portion may be formed using a conductive and tacky material such as hydrogel, and may be formed by compression molding the hydrogel on both sides of the sheet member. Unlike conventional electrodes that transmit electrical signals through point contacts between protrusions and receptacles, the electrodes of the present invention can transmit electrical signals through surface contacts between device contacts and terminals. In addition, since the hydrogel is self-adhesive, the terminal or the biosignal measuring device itself can be attached onto the electrode without using a protrusion or a snap.

In general, there is a lower limit to making the electrode small because a conventional electrode must form a protrusion and a receiving portion. However, in the present invention, the device contact portion and the body contact portion can be made in various sizes and shapes, and the contact portion can be formed in a thin planar shape, so that the thickness can be made thin. In addition, the contact part also has a simple structure of interviewing each other, so that the thickness can be reduced, and the signal transmission process from the skin to the circuit can be kept short and the dynamic noise can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to another preferable aspect of this invention, several electrode member can be formed in one insulating sheet member. That is, a plurality of through holes are formed in the sheet member, and the device contact portion and the body contact portion are connected through each through hole, so that one or two or more kinds of data can be measured through one biological electrode. The device contacts and the body contacts, which are connected one-to-one through the through holes, are preferably electrically separated from the other device contacts and the other body contacts. However, in some cases, some device contacts or body contacts different from the through holes may be electrically connected. It may be.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, there can be provided a bio-signal measuring apparatus using the above-mentioned bio-electrode. The biological signal measuring apparatus of the present invention may largely include a signal processing member and a biological electrode member.

The body processing member includes a plurality of terminals exposed to the outside, an analog signal processor for processing an analog signal transmitted from the terminals, an A / D signal converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and a converted digital signal. It may include a digital signal processor for. The biological electrode member is formed of an insulating sheet including a plurality of through holes, a flat plate shape on the top surface of the insulating sheet, and a plurality of device contacts that are electrically separated from each other, and a flat plate shape on the bottom surface of the insulating sheet and electrically separated from each other. It may include a body contact that is independently connected to each device contact through the through hole. The device contact portion and the body contact portion may be formed using a material having conductivity and adhesion, and may be electrically connected to the terminal, and may remain attached even without a separate protrusion.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, the biosignal measuring apparatus may use a bioelectrode capable of electrically connecting the top and bottom of the electrode without forming a through hole. To this end, the bioelectrode includes two types of insulating sheets, and the two types of insulating sheets may cover different portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the electrode member and expose different portions.

For example, the bioelectrode may include a first insulating sheet, at least one electrode member provided on the first insulating sheet, and a second insulating sheet provided on the electrode member. The electrode member is formed in a flat shape on the upper surface of the first insulating sheet, one end is located on the first insulating sheet, the other end is exposed to the outside of the first insulating sheet. The electrode member is formed using a material having conductivity and adhesion, and can maintain a state temporarily attached to the device or the body. The second insulating sheet on the electrode member may be formed in a shape that exposes an upper surface of the one end of the electrode member and electrically blocks an upper surface of the other end of the electrode member. When two or more electrode members are provided in one first insulating sheet, the electrode members may be disposed in the same or different directions, and the second insulating sheet may also be integrated or separated according to the arrangement of the electrode members. Can cover a portion of the top of the.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, the biosignal measuring apparatus can be used in combination with the snap connection terminal using the male and female shape and the flat terminal connection using the planar surface contact. That is, in connecting the signal processing member and the electrode member, both members can be electrically and mechanically connected by using a snap connection terminal, and the other terminal is connected by a flat contact method using a surface contact method. The warpage phenomenon of the electrode member can be prevented. In addition, by using a snap connection terminal having a superior mechanical connection, the initial attachment position between the two members can be easily confirmed, and the two members can be more firmly bound.

For example, the signal processing member may include an externally exposed snap terminal and a flat terminal adjacent to the snap terminal, and correspondingly, the biological electrode member may be electrically and mechanically connected to the snap terminal on an upper surface of the insulating sheet and the insulating sheet. At the bottom of the insulating sheet and at the bottom of the insulating sheet, the first contact being electrically connected to the snap contact at the bottom of the insulating sheet and the bottom contact of the insulating sheet. And a second body contact in electrical connection with the plate contact. In the biological electrode member, the snap contact portion and the first body contact portion may form a snap electrode member, and the plate contact portion and the second body contact portion may form a plate electrode member electrically separated from the snap contact member.

As described above, the snap contact portion and the first body contact portion of the snap electrode member may be electrically connected through a through hole formed in the insulating sheet, and may be electrically connected by bypassing the insulating sheet. Of course, the plate contact and the second body contact in the plate electrode member can also be connected in the same or different ways.

In addition, the snap contact may rotate while being electrically connected to the snap terminal, and the user may adjust the position so that the other snap contact or snap contact is close to the corresponding flat terminal or snap terminal, respectively, on the axis of the inserted snap contact. .

Conversely, snap contacts and snap terminals may be formed into non-circular cross sections, such as ellipses or polygons, to prevent rotation, and the user may insert the reference snap contacts into the corresponding snap terminals and complete the position adjustment at the same time. have.

Any one of the snap contact portion and the snap terminal may be formed in a protrusion shape, and the snap contact portion and the snap terminal may be mechanically bound by elastic force or magnetic force.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bioelectrode and the biosignal measuring apparatus of FIG. 3.

3 and 4, the biosignal measuring apparatus 100 includes a signal processor 110 and a bioelectrode 200. The biological electrode 200 is attached to the body to be measured, and the signal processor 110 is attached to the biological electrode 200. In order to attach the biological electrode 200 to the body, an electrolytic cream containing an electrolytic material may be used, and the biological electrode 200 may be attached after the electrolytic cream is applied onto the skin. In addition, the signal processor 110 is attached to the attached biological electrode 200, wherein the terminal 115 of the signal processor 110 is electrically connected to the biological electrode 200. The terminal 115 and the biological electrode 200 have a wide contact area because they are interviewed through a flat contact surface, and the resistance may be reduced because a wide surface is used. Therefore, weak electricity in the body can be efficiently transmitted to the terminal 115 of the signal processor 110.

The biological electrode 200 includes an insulating sheet 210 and an electrode member 220. The insulating sheet 210 is formed using a nonconductive or insulating material, and may be generally provided using paper or an insulating resin. The insulating sheet 210 is formed in a substantially circular or other polygonal shape, and a through hole 212 is formed at the center thereof. The through hole 212 may integrally connect portions of the electrode member 220 existing above and below the insulating sheet 210, and the electrode member 220 may be connected to the device contact portion 222 connected through the through hole 212. And a body contact 224.

In the present embodiment, one through hole 212 is formed in one insulating sheet 210, and one electrode member 220 is provided. Alternatively, it is possible to measure the change of several points in one bioelectrode to obtain various information at once. In this case, a plurality of through holes may be formed in one insulating sheet, and electrode members corresponding to the respective through holes may be independently provided. The signal processor also includes a plurality of terminals, each of which may be electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship to a corresponding device contact.

3 and 4, the device contact portion 222 and the body contact portion 224 constituting the electrode member 220 are formed using a material having conductivity and adhesion, and the electrode member 220 is formed of a body. The micro electricity may be transferred to the signal processor 110. In addition, since the device contact portion 222 is sticky, the bottom surface of the signal processor 110 can be attached, and effective adhesion can be maintained even if a male and female coupling relationship consisting of protrusions and grooves is not formed. Materials having conductivity and tackiness can be selected in various ways, but hydrogels are generally used.

The device contact 222 and the body contact 224 are integrally connected, which can be manufactured by molding hydrogel in a molten or flowing state on both sides of the insulating sheet 210. Specifically, the hydrogel in a flow state is sprayed on one side or both sides of the through hole 212, and the apparatus contact portion 222 and the body contact portion 224 are molded at a time by compressing the upper surface and the lower surface of the insulating sheet 210 with a mold. You can do it.

The insulating sheet 210 and the electrode member 220 may be deformed with flexibility, and may be easily attached while adapting to the shape of the portion to be attached. In addition, in order to easily attach the biological electrode 200, an edge of the insulating sheet 210 around the body contact part 224 may be coated with an adhesive material.

A metal terminal 115 is exposed on the bottom of the signal processor 110, and the signal processor 110 is disposed on the device contact portion 222 so that the signal processor 110 is disposed on the bioelectrode 200. Can be attached to Since the terminal 115 and the device contact 222 are attached to each other via a flat contact surface, the terminal 115 may be electrically connected to the device contact 222 through a wide surface. Therefore, the transmission efficiency between the device contact 222 and the terminal 115 can be increased, and as a result, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved.

In addition, since the device contact portion 222 has adhesiveness, the device contact portion 222 may maintain a combined state with the signal processor 110 without having a separate fixing structure. The signal processor 110 may be connected to an external device by wire or wirelessly, and maintains a state of being worn on the body while wearing the cardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), skin resistance (GSR), etc. of the wearer. Can transmit biosignal data. Conventionally, a fastening structure using protrusions / grooves is used to attach a signal processor to an electrode for a living body, but the device contact portion 222 of this embodiment maintains a bonded state by using adhesiveness of a hydrogel.

Referring to FIG. 4, the device contact portion 222 and the body contact portion 224 are connected through the through hole 212, and structurally, the device contact portion 222 and the body contact portion 224 are connected to the through hole 212. They are interconnected via corresponding hole connections 226.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a function of the signal processor of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the signal processor 110 may include an analog signal processor 120, an A / D converter 130, a digital signal processor 140, and a wireless transmission module 150 sequentially connected from a terminal 115 on a bottom surface thereof. ). The analog signal processor 120 may amplify or filter the body's micro electricity, ie, an analog signal, transmitted from the terminal 115 and transmit the amplified or filtered signal to the A / D converter 130. After the A / D converter 130 converts the transmitted analog signal into a digital signal, the digital signal processor 140 processes the converted digital signal according to a programmed method. The result of the processing may be transmitted to the external device through the wireless transmission module 150, or alternatively, may be stored in the internal memory.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view for describing a biosignal measuring apparatus and a bioelectrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For reference, the signal processor 110 and the biological electrode 201 of FIG. 6 are substantially the same as the signal processor 110 and the biological electrode 200 of FIG. 5. However, the biological electrode 201 of FIG. 6 further includes a device fixing part 230 as compared to the biological electrode 200 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the device fixing unit 230 may be formed on or around the device contacting unit 222 and may receive a lower edge of the signal processor 110. Thus, after the signal processor 110 is attached to the device contact 222, the movement of the signal processor 110 may be limited by the device fixing unit 230. The device fixing unit 230 prevents the attached signal processor 110 from being easily detached from the biological electrode 200. In addition, the device fixing part 230 may be made of a non-conductive material and have insulating properties. The device fixing part 230 may be made of soft rubber, foam, or the like to provide a friction force for fixing the signal processor 110.

In the present embodiment, the signal processor 110 is connected to an external device through a cable, and the result processed by the digital signal processor may be transmitted to the external device through the cable.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the bioelectrode and the biosignal measuring apparatus of FIG. 7.

7 and 8, the biosignal measuring apparatus 300 includes a signal processor 310 and a bioelectrode 400. The biological electrode 400 is attached to the body to be measured, and the signal processor 310 is attached to the biological electrode 400. In order to attach the biological electrode 400 to the body, an electrolytic cream including an electrolytic material may be used. The signal processor 310 is attached on the biological electrode 400, and three terminals 315 of the signal processor 310 are electrically connected to the biological electrode 400, respectively. The terminal 315 and the biological electrode 400 have a wide contact area because they are interviewed through a flat contact surface, and the resistance can be reduced because a wide surface is used. Therefore, the weak electric conduction in the body can be efficiently transmitted using the wide contact surface of the terminal 315.

The biological electrode 400 includes an insulating sheet 410 and electrode members 420, 430, and 440. The insulating sheet 410 is formed using a nonconductive or insulating material, and may be generally provided using paper or an insulating resin. The insulating sheet 410 extends long in a band shape, and three electrode members 420, 430, and 440 are formed side by side along the insulating sheet 410. Three through holes 412 are formed in the insulating sheet 410 in a rectangular shape, and are formed in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet 410. The through hole 412 may integrally connect portions of the electrode member 420 that exist above and below the insulating sheet 410, and the electrode members 420, 430, and 440 may be connected through the through hole 412. Contacts 422, 432, 442 and body contacts 424, 434, 444.

Referring to the leftmost electrode member 420, in the electrode member 420, the device contact portion 422 and the body contact portion 424 are connected through the hole connection portion 426, and the hole connection portion 426 is a through hole. 412 is formed within. The device contact portion 422 and the body contact portion 424 constituting the electrode member 420 are integrally connected by the hole connecting portion 426, and are formed using a material having conductivity and adhesion, such as hydrogel. The electrode member 420 is used for detecting a bio signal of a portion corresponding to the left side of the insulating sheet 410. The rightmost electrode member 440 has a structure symmetrical with the left electrode member 420.

The centrally located electrode member 430 also includes a device contact 432 and a body contact 434, and the device contact 432 and the body contact 434 are also connected to each other via a hole connection 436. However, the device contact portion 432 and the body contact portion 434 in the center electrode member 430 has the same center up and down.

Referring to FIG. 7, the device contact portion 422 and the body contact portion 424 of the electrode member 420 on the left side are disposed at positions deviated up and down, but are interconnected through a common through hole 412 region. The device contact portion and the body contact portion which are disposed up and down may be formed at the same center vertically, and may be formed at the displaced position. Furthermore, it may be formed without a region in common up and down. Therefore, the position of the device contacts 422, 432, 442 can be changed regardless of the position and the mutual spacing of the body contacts 424, 434, 444, and may be concentrated in a desired area for convenience. By concentrating the positions of the device contacts 422, 432, and 444, the size of the signal processor 310 can be reduced, and the size of the biosignal measuring apparatus can be further reduced.

The electrode members 420, 430, and 440 may transmit the bio signals detected in the respective areas to the signal processor 310. In addition, since the device contacts 422, 432, and 442 are sticky, the bottom surface of the signal processor 310 can be attached and the effective adhesion can be maintained. Materials having conductivity and tackiness can be selected in various ways, but hydrogels are generally used.

As shown, an insulating contact 452 can be formed around the device contacts 422, 432, 442, and the insulating contact 452 is formed to be approximately the same thickness as the device contacts 422, 432, 442. The bottom of the signal processor 310 may be supported together with the device contacts 452. The insulating contact 452 may be made of a material having non-conductive and tacky property. Since the insulating contact 452 is non-conductive, the device contacts 422, 432, and 442 can be insulated from each other, and because of the adhesiveness, the signal processor 310 can be attached together with the device contact.

In addition, an insulating contact portion may be formed around the bottom surface of the insulating sheet 410 and around the body contacting portions 424, 434, and 444, or an insulating adhesive may be applied. In this embodiment, an insulating adhesive portion 454 is formed, and the biological electrode 400 can be attached to the skin together with the body contact portions 424, 434, and 444. The insulating sheet 410 and the electrode members 420, 430, and 440 may be deformed with flexibility, and may be easily attached while adapting to the shape of the portion to be attached.

A metal terminal 315 is exposed side by side on the bottom of the signal processor 310, and the bottom of the signal processor 310 is positioned on the device contact part 422 so that the signal processor 310 may be placed on the biological electrode 400. ), And each terminal 315 and the device contact portion are interviewed with each other in pairs. Since each terminal 315 and device contacts 422, 432, 442 are attached to each other via a flat contact surface, the terminal 315 can be electrically connected to the device contact 422 through a wide surface. In addition, the connection between each terminal 315 and the device contact is electrically isolated from each other. Thus, an independent connection between the device contact 422 and the terminal 315 can be maintained and the transmission efficiency can be increased, resulting in an overall improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio.

In addition, since the device contacts 422, 432, and 442 have adhesive properties, the device contacts 422, 432, and 442 may maintain a state of being coupled with the signal processor 310 without having a separate fixing structure. The signal processor 310 may be connected to an external device by wire or wirelessly, and may transmit biosignal data such as an electrocardiogram or an electrocardiogram of a wearer while maintaining a state of being worn on a body. Conventionally, a fastening structure using protrusions / grooves is used to attach a signal processor to an electrode for a living body, but device contact parts of the present embodiment may maintain a bonded state using adhesiveness of a hydrogel.

The signal processor 310 includes an analog signal processor, an A / D converter, a digital signal processor, and a wireless transmission module sequentially connected from the terminal 315 on the bottom. The analog signal processor receives the bio signals transmitted from three terminals and transmits the bio signals to the A / D converter through amplification or filtering. After the A / D converter converts the transmitted analog signal into a digital signal, the digital signal processor processes the converted digital signal according to a programmed method, and the processing result may be transmitted to an external device through the wireless transmission module.

The device fixing part 460 may be formed on or around the upper surface of the device contact parts 422 and 442 located at both sides, and may receive both edges of the signal processor 310. Thus, after the signal processor 310 is attached to the device contact 422, the movement of the signal processor 310 may be more stably fixed by the device fixing unit 460. The device fixing unit 460 may be made of a non-conductive material to have insulation properties, and may be formed of soft rubber or foam to provide a friction force for fixing the signal processor 310.

In the present embodiment, the signal processor 310 is connected to an external device through a cable, and the result processed by the digital signal processor may be transmitted to the external device through the cable.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the bioelectrode of FIG. 9.

9 and 10, the biosignal measuring apparatus 500 includes a signal processor 510 and a bioelectrode 600. The biological electrode 600 is attached to the body to be measured, and the signal processor 510 is attached to the biological electrode 600. In addition, two terminals 515 of the signal processor 510 are electrically connected to the biological electrodes 600, respectively. The terminal 515 and the biological electrode 600 have a wide contact area because they are interviewed through a flat contact surface, and the resistance can be reduced because a wide surface is used.

The biological electrode 600 includes an insulating sheet 610 and electrode members 620 and 630. The insulating sheet 610 is formed using a nonconductive or insulating material, and may be generally provided using paper or an insulating resin. Two electrode members 620 and 630 are provided at both sides of the insulating sheet 610, and the electrode members 620 and 630 are exposed to the outside from both ends of the insulating sheet 610. In addition, another insulating sheet 660 is provided on the upper surfaces of the electrode members 620 and 630.

Unlike the previous embodiment, there is no through hole in the insulating sheet 610, the portion exposed to the outer bottom surface of the insulating sheet 610 becomes the body contact portion, the portion exposed to the inner upper surface of the insulating sheet 610 is a device Becomes a contact Since the electrode members 620 and 630 are formed using a material having conductivity and adhesion, such as hydrogel, the electrode 600 for living body can be attached to the body, and the device contact portion of the electrode member 610 is concentrated inside. Therefore, the size of the signal processor 510 can be reduced, and the size of the biosignal measuring apparatus can be further reduced.

The electrode members 620 and 630 may transmit the biosignals detected in the respective areas to the signal processor 510. In addition, since the device contact portion is tacky, the bottom surface of the signal processor 510 can be attached, and an effective adhesion force can be maintained.

In addition, an adhesive material is applied between the bottom surface of the insulating sheet 610 and the electrode members 620 and 630 to improve adhesion between the biological electrode 600 and the body and between the biological electrode 600 and the signal processor 510. It can be improved.

A metal terminal 515 is exposed side by side on the bottom of the signal processor 510, and the bottom of the signal processor 510 is positioned on the device contact portion of the electrode members 620 and 630 so that the bottom of the signal processor 510 and the signal processor 510 are disposed. It can be attached to the biological electrode 600, and each terminal 515 and a device contact part interview each other in a pair.

The signal processor 510 includes an analog signal processor, an A / D converter, a digital signal processor, and a wireless transmission module sequentially connected from the terminal 515 on the bottom. The analog signal processor receives the bio signals transmitted from three terminals and transmits the signals to the A / D converter through amplification or filtering. After the A / D converter converts the transmitted analog signal into a digital signal, the digital signal processor processes the converted digital signal according to a programmed method, and the processing result may be transmitted to an external device through the wireless transmission module.

11 is a cross-sectional view for describing a living body electrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the biosignal measuring apparatus 700 includes a signal processor 710 and an electrode 800 for a living body. The biological electrode 800 may be attached to a body to be measured, and the signal processor 710 may be attached to the biological electrode 800 to process or transmit information obtained from the biological electrode 800.

The bottom of the signal processor 710 is provided with a snap terminal 720 and a flat plate terminal 730. The snap terminal 720 corresponds to the snap contact 822 of the electrode 800 for the living body, and receives the snap contact 822 and is electrically and mechanically connected thereto. The flat plate terminal 730 may correspond to the flat plate contact portion 832 of the biological electrode 800, and may be electrically connected to the flat plate contact portion 832. As shown, the snap contact portion 822 is formed in a protrusion shape, the snap terminal 720 is formed in a groove shape for receiving and fixing the snap contact portion 822. In addition, a locking jaw is formed below the snap terminal 720, and a locking groove is formed below the protruding snap contact portion 822 to maintain a firm binding state between the snap terminal 720 and the snap contact portion 822. .

In the present embodiment, the snap terminal 720 and the snap contact portion 822 are mechanically bound to each other by physical coupling using elasticity, but in some cases, the snap terminal and the snap contact portion are mechanically bound to each other by using magnetic and magnetic materials. You can also

The flat plate terminal 730 is formed on the bottom surface of the signal processor 710, and the flat plate contact portion 832 is formed on the top surface of the biological electrode 800 in correspondence with the position of the flat plate terminal 730. The plate contact portion 832 may be formed of a material having both adhesiveness and conductivity, such as hydrogel, and may be electrically connected to the plate terminal 730. The adhesiveness of the flat plate contact portion 832 can also prevent the flat plate terminal 730 from being separated, but because the adjacent snap contact portion 822 forms a stronger bond with the snap terminal 720, the signal processor 710 The biological electrode 800 may maintain a stable attachment state.

In addition, since the coupling position between the signal processor 710 and the biological electrode 800 can be easily determined by the snap terminal 720 and the snap contact portion 822 formed in the protrusion and the groove shape, the user preferentially selects the snap terminal 720. ) May be stably attached to the signal processor 710 and the biocompatible electrode 800 immediately after the snap contact 822 is inserted into the snap contact 822.

Above all, if a plurality of terminals are connected by a snap connection method, it may be difficult to combine or wrinkle the electrode as a whole due to manufacturing error. However, by mixing the snap connection method and the flat plate connection method, the signal processing unit and the biological electrode can be stably attached within a certain error range.

The biological electrode 800 includes an insulating sheet 810, a snap contact portion 822 and a flat plate contact portion 832 on the top surface of the insulating sheet 810, and a first body contact portion 824 on the bottom surface of the insulating sheet 810. And a second body contact 834. The snap contact 822 and the first body contact 824 may be electrically connected through a through hole in the insulation sheet 810, and the flat contact 832 and the second body contact 834 may be insulated from the insulation sheet 810. It can be electrically connected through the other through hole in.

The snap contact portion 822 and the first body contact portion 824 form a snap electrode member 820 made of metal, and the flat plate contact portion 832 and the second body contact portion 834 also use a single hydrogel gel. 830 may be formed. Alternatively, the snap contact portion and the first body contact portion may be formed of different materials, and the flat plate contact portion and the second body contact portion may be formed by connecting different materials.

Although not shown, the signal processor 710 may include an analog signal processor, an A / D converter, a digital signal processor, and a wireless transmission module sequentially connected from the terminals 720 and 730 on the bottom. The analog signal processor may receive the bio signals transmitted from the different terminals 720 and 730 and transmit the bio signals to the A / D converter through amplification or filtering. After the A / D converter converts the transmitted analog signal into a digital signal, the digital signal processor processes the converted digital signal according to a programmed method, and the processing result may be transmitted to an external device through a wired / wireless transmission module.

12 is a plan view illustrating a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 illustrates a bioelectrode and a biosignal measuring apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Top view.

For reference, in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the signal processor and the bioelectrode are illustrated as separated on the left side, and the signal processor and the bioelectrode are shown on the right side in a mutually bound state.

Referring to FIG. 12, the snap terminal 720 and the snap contact portion 822 may have a circular cross section. Since the portion of the snap contact 822 connected to the signal processor 710 has a circular cross section, the signal processor 710 may rotate about the snap contact 822. Therefore, after the user binds the snap terminal 720 and the snap contact 822 to each other, the user can rotate the signal processor 710 to adjust the position such that the flat terminal 730 and the flat contact 832 are attached to each other at an appropriate position. have.

However, referring to FIG. 13, the signal processor 710 ′ and the biological electrode 800 ′ may be attached only in a predetermined direction. For this purpose, the snap terminal 720 'and the snap contact 822' may have a non-circular cross section, for example, an ellipse, a square, a pentagon, or the like. Since the portion of the snap contact 822 'connected to the signal processor 710' has a non-circular cross section, the signal processor 710 'can be inserted only in a fixed direction with respect to the snap contact 822', The signal processor 710 'may not rotate about the snap contact 822'. Accordingly, the user may allow the signal processor 710 'and the biological electrode 800' to be attached to each other at a proper position only by properly binding the snap terminal 720 'and the snap contact 822'.

The biological electrode of the present invention can stably maintain a connection with an external terminal or a signal processor, and can be smoothly transferred to fine electricity because it is contacted through a wide and flat area. In addition, since a stable connection is maintained, noise is less generated, and an improvement in the S / N ratio can be expected.

In addition, a plurality of biological electrodes can be simultaneously formed on one pad, and the position, size, and shape of the contact portion can be freely adjusted, thereby making it possible to produce a miniaturized and slimmer product.

In addition, the biosignal measuring apparatus may utilize the advantages of both connection methods by using a snap connection terminal and a flat panel connection terminal using surface contact. That is, in connecting the signal processing member and the electrode member, both members can be electrically and mechanically connected by using a snap connection terminal, and the other terminal is connected by a flat contact method using a surface contact method. The warpage phenomenon of the electrode member can be prevented.

In addition, by using a snap connection terminal having a superior mechanical connection, the initial attachment position between the two members can be easily confirmed, and the two members can be more firmly bound.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which can be variously modified and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Modifications are possible. Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or equivalent modifications thereof will belong to the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

In the biosignal measuring apparatus for measuring the biosignal in contact with the body, A signal processing member including a snap terminal exposed to the outside and a flat terminal adjacent to the snap terminal; And An insulating sheet, a snap contact part electrically connected to the snap terminal on an upper surface of the insulating sheet, a flat plate contact part electrically connected to the flat plate terminal on an upper surface of the insulating sheet and formed of a material having conductivity and adhesion, and the insulating sheet A biological electrode member comprising a first body contact portion electrically connected to the snap contact portion at a bottom of the second contact portion and a second body contact portion electrically connected to the plate contact portion at a bottom of the insulating sheet; Biological signal measuring apparatus having a. The method of claim 1, The signal processing member may include an analog signal processor for processing analog signals transmitted from the snap terminal and the flat panel terminals, an A / D signal converter for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and the converted digital signal. Biosignal measuring apparatus further comprises a digital signal processing unit for. The method of claim 1, The snap contact portion is formed in a protrusion shape, the snap terminal is inserted into the snap contact portion is a biological signal measuring device, characterized in that the mechanically fixed and electrically connected. The method of claim 1, And the snap contact portion is rotatably connected to the snap terminal. The method of claim 1, And the snap contact has a non-circular cross section and maintains a fixed posture with respect to the snap terminal. The method of claim 1, The snap contact portion and the snap terminal are formed in a corresponding concave-convex shape, the biosignal measuring apparatus, characterized in that the mechanical connection using a magnet. In the living body electrode for connecting the body and the biological signal measuring device, Insulation sheet; A snap electrode portion material including a snap contact portion located on an upper surface of the insulating sheet and a first body contact portion electrically connected to the snap contact portion on a bottom surface of the insulating sheet; And A plate electrode member disposed on an upper surface of the insulating sheet and including a plate contact portion formed of a conductive and adhesive material and a second body contact portion electrically connected to the plate contact portion on a bottom surface of the insulating sheet; Biological electrode having a. The method of claim 7, wherein The snap contact part is a living electrode, characterized in that formed in a projection shape. The method of claim 7, wherein And a portion of the snap contact portion connected to the biometric measuring device has a circular or non-circular cross section. The method of claim 7, wherein And the snap contact part includes a magnet or a magnetic material provided adjacent to a portion connected to the biometric measuring device.

Images