Electrode belt and electrode assembly for electrical impedance imaging
By designing electrode strips and electrode assemblies, the problems of inconvenient electrode fixation and poor contact were solved, achieving good contact and stable fixation between the electrode and the object under test, adapting to the deformation of the target under test, reducing imaging errors, and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BEIJING HUARUI BOSHI MEDICAL IMAGING TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In existing electrical impedance tomography (EI) techniques, electrode fixation methods are cumbersome, electrodes do not make good contact with biological tissues, and operation is inconvenient, making it difficult to distribute them evenly around the body of the subject.
Design an electrode strip with multiple electrode segments and elastic segments on the strip body. The electrode segments are thicker than the elastic segments. Connectors are provided at both ends of the strip body. The elastic segments can be stretched to adapt to the deformation of the target to be measured. The electrode assembly and the double-layer copper buckle structure ensure good contact.
It achieves good contact between the electrode assembly and the surface of the object under test, is simple and stable to fix, adapts to the deformation of the target under test, reduces imaging algorithm error, and has low cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN116035554B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of biomedical electrical impedance imaging technology, and particularly to an electrode strip and electrode assembly for electrical impedance imaging. Background Technology
[0002] Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a technique that uses the electrical impedance properties of a biological sample to reconstruct the conductivity of tissues or organs or the change in conductivity over time. This technique offers advantages such as being radiation-free, non-invasive, and low-cost, while also providing high resolution and portable equipment, making it suitable for real-time bedside imaging and possessing broad application prospects.
[0003] Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) requires a number of electrodes to be arranged around the area to be measured. A safe excitation current is then applied alternately to two of the electrodes, and the voltage difference between the remaining electrodes is measured to obtain data for reconstructing the electrical impedance image. For convenient biomedical EIT imaging in practical applications, the electrodes should ideally be arranged quickly and easily around the subject's body, ensuring good contact with the body.
[0004] In the laboratory research phase, there are two methods for fixing electrodes to the body of the test subject. One method is to manually fix the electrodes one by one around the body of the test subject. This method has disadvantages such as cumbersome electrode pasting process, inability to ensure uniform electrode distribution, and complex electrode feed lines. The other method is to first fix several electrodes to a belt, and then fix the belt around the body of the test subject. This method has the following disadvantages: it is difficult for the electrodes to maintain good contact with biological tissue at all times, the electrode feed lines are complex, the operation is inconvenient, the belt length needs to be adjusted according to the size of the test subject, and the cost is high. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention provides an electrode strip and electrode assembly for electrical impedance imaging, which can more easily fix the strip around the body of the object under test, and the fixing method is simple, and can ensure that the electrode assembly maintains good contact with the surface of the object under test at all times.
[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging, comprising a strip body including a plurality of electrode segments arranged along its length and an elastic segment located between adjacent electrode segments, wherein the electrode segments are capable of being used to mount electrode assemblies, and the thickness of the electrode segments is greater than the thickness of the elastic segment, so that the elastic segment is more prone to elastic deformation than the electrode segments.
[0007] In one embodiment, one end of the belt is provided with a first connector, and the other end is provided with a second connector that can be detachably connected to the first connector. This embodiment, by providing connectors at both ends of the belt, allows the belt to be bent and fixed in a circular shape, thus securing the belt to the target being tested and improving detection stability.
[0008] In one embodiment, the second connector includes a first buckle, an insert, and a connecting rod. The insert is embedded inside the belt body, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the insert, and the other end is detachably connected to the first buckle. The first buckle can form a limiting structure with the first connector. This embodiment allows the second connector to be detachably mounted on the belt body, enabling the first buckle to be disassembled and inspected.
[0009] In one embodiment, the second connector includes a second buckle, a first connecting piece, and a second connecting piece. The belt body has a through-hole, with the first and second connecting pieces located on opposite sides of the through-hole. A connecting post is provided on the first and / or second connecting piece, and the first and second connecting pieces are connected to each other through the through-hole via the connecting post. The second buckle is disposed on the first or second connecting piece, and the second buckle forms a limiting structure with the first connector. Through this embodiment, the second connector can be quickly and easily connected and fixed to the first connector. The second connector is detachably mounted on the belt body, allowing for disassembly and replacement.
[0010] In one embodiment, the first connector has multiple adjustment holes, all of which are arranged in the same direction. The second connector can form a limiting structure with the adjustment holes. This embodiment allows for adjustment of the diameter of the ring formed by the belt, adapting to different targets and expanding its applicability. Multiple adjustment levels of the belt length allow for quick and easy belt fixation.
[0011] In one embodiment, all the electrode segments are uniformly arranged in the same direction, with the thickness of the electrode segments at both ends being greater than the thickness of the electrode segments between the ends. This embodiment allows the electrode segments at both ends to protrude from the surface of the band, ensuring good contact between the two electrode assemblies at the band connection and the surface of the target being tested, which is particularly beneficial for conforming to the concave areas of the human chest cavity.
[0012] Secondly, the present invention provides an electrode assembly, comprising an electrode assembly including conductive silicone and a double-layer copper buckle, wherein the conductive silicone is disposed on the electrode segment, the detection surface of the conductive silicone can contact the target to be detected, one end of the double-layer copper buckle is electrically connected to the conductive silicone, and the other end passes through the electrode segment and can be electrically connected to a feed wire.
[0013] In one embodiment, the double-layer copper buckle includes a conductive post, an inner core layer, and a male buckle layer. The inner core layer and the male buckle layer are sleeved on the conductive post. The inner core layer has multiple through holes. Conductive silicone covers the outer surface of the inner core layer. One end of the conductive post is connected to the conductive silicone through the inner core layer, and the other end passes through the electrode segment, exposing the male buckle layer in the tape body. The male buckle layer can be electrically connected to the feed wire. In this embodiment, the conductive silicone covers the outer surface of the inner core layer and is tightly connected to it through the through holes, while exposing the male buckle layer. This structure has good conductivity, the inner core layer and the conductive silicone are not easily separated, and the male buckle layer can easily penetrate the tape body to connect to the feed wire.
[0014] In one embodiment, the detection surface of the conductive silicone has multiple arc-shaped grooves and / or arc-shaped protrusions. With this embodiment, when the strip is fixed to the target, the arc-shaped protrusions have a larger contact area with the target surface, resulting in better contact and reducing contact impedance. Typically, a conductive medium needs to be applied to the electrodes to reduce contact impedance; the arc-shaped grooves can effectively carry more conductive medium and maintain it during strip adjustments.
[0015] In one embodiment, the conductive silicone is bonded to the electrode segment. This embodiment improves the integration of the conductive silicone with the tape.
[0016] The above-mentioned technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features, as long as the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.
[0017] The electrode strip and electrode assembly for electrical impedance imaging provided by the present invention have at least the following advantages compared with the prior art:
[0018] The elastic segment is thinner than the electrode segment, making it more easily stretched. When the band undergoes elastic deformation, the elastic segment adapts, while the electrode segment remains unchanged. This effectively prevents the band and electrode assembly from having different degrees of stretch when fixed to the target, thus ensuring the stability of the band structure. The elastic segment of the band has appropriate elasticity, providing inward pressure on the electrode assembly when fixed to the target, ensuring good contact between the electrode assembly and the target surface. The elastic segment allows the band to adapt to the deformation of the target over time, enabling long-term monitoring of the target's physiological activities. The elastic segment also keeps the electrode segments essentially on the same tomographic plane, reducing modeling errors in the imaging algorithm. The structure is simple, manufacturing cost is low, and the fixing method is convenient and quick. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Figure 1 This is a top view of the belt structure of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the rear structure;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the belt;
[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of one type of second connector;
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another type of second connector;
[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded view of the second connector in the diagram;
[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode assembly;
[0027] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a double-layered copper buckle;
[0028] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electrode assembly.
[0029] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale.
[0030] Figure label:
[0031] 1. Belt body; 13. Electrode segment; 14. Elastic segment; 2. First connector; 21. Adjustment hole; 3. Second connector; 31. Connecting hole; 311. Connecting post; 32. First connecting piece; 33. Second connecting piece; 331. Second buckle; 4. Electrode assembly; 41. Double-layer copper buckle; 411. Male buckle layer; 412. Inner core layer; 413. Conductive post; 414. Through hole; 42. Conductive silicone; 421. Arc-shaped groove; 51. Embedded part; 511. Connecting rod; 52. First buckle. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0033] Example 1
[0034] like Figure 1-3As shown, the present invention provides an electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging, including a strip body 1, the strip body 1 including a plurality of electrode segments 13 arranged along the length, and an elastic segment 14 located between adjacent electrode segments 13. The electrode segments 13 can be used to set electrode assemblies, and the thickness of the electrode segments 13 is greater than the thickness of the elastic segment 14, so that the elastic segment 14 is more prone to elastic deformation than the electrode segments 13.
[0035] Specifically, the belt 1 has a long strip structure and is made of a material with a certain degree of elasticity, such as elastic silicone. The belt 1 can also be a combination of elastic silicone and elastic belt. The thickness of the electrode segment 13 is greater than the thickness of the elastic segment 14. The electrode segment 13 and the elastic segment 14 have a smooth transition, that is, the electrode segment 13 and the elastic segment 14 are transitioned through a smooth inclined surface. The belt 1 is a single structure, which can be integrally molded or machined to different thicknesses. As another extreme consideration, the electrode segment 13 and the elastic segment 14 can be obtained by connecting two separate parts made of different materials. The electrode segment 13 is not easily stretched, and the electrode assembly 4 is fixed to the electrode segment 13. The elastic segment 14 is easily stretched, giving the belt elasticity. When the belt 1 is fixed to the target to be tested, if the belt 1 is subjected to an outward expanding force, the elastic segment 14 deforms, while the electrode segment 13 does not deform and its position does not change relative to the target, ensuring that the electrode assembly set on the electrode segment 13 can always be in contact with the surface of the target to be tested. The diagram shows only one row of electrode assembly 4, but it can also be set to multiple rows according to actual usage requirements. Preferably, the electrode segment 13 and the elastic segment 14 are evenly spaced.
[0036] It should be further explained that the thickness of the elastic zone is the same. When the strip 1 is fixed on the target to be tested, the stretching degree of the elastic segment 14 is only related to its length, so as to prevent the distribution of the electrode assembly 4 from changing significantly.
[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, a first connector 2 is provided at one end of the belt body 1, and a second connector 3 is provided at the other end, which can be detachably connected to the first connector 2. Through this embodiment, by providing connectors at both ends of the belt body 1, the belt body 1 can be bent and fixed in a ring shape, and the belt body 1 can be fixed to the target to be tested, thereby improving the stability of the test.
[0038] Specifically, the first connector 2 is an extension of the belt body 1, and is detachably connected to the second connector 3 to fix the belt body 1 to the target to be tested. The material of the first connector 2 is the same as that of the belt body 1.
[0039] like Figure 4In one embodiment, the second connector 3 includes a first buckle 52, an insert 51, and a connecting rod 511. The insert 51 is embedded inside the belt body 1. One end of the connecting rod 511 is connected to the insert 51, and the other end is detachably connected to the first buckle 52. The first buckle 52 can form a limiting structure with the first connector 2. Through this embodiment, the second connector 3 is detachably mounted on the belt body 1, allowing the first buckle 52 to be disassembled and inspected.
[0040] Specifically, this embodiment is one structure of the second connector 3. The insert 51 is embedded inside the belt body 1 as a whole. The connecting rod 511 can be an integral structure with the insert 51, or it can be detachably connected by adhesive or thread. A mounting hole adapted to the connecting rod 51 is provided on the first buckle 52. Preferably, the connecting rod 511 and the mounting hole are threaded together, realizing a detachable connection between the connecting rod 511 and the first buckle 52. When the first buckle 52 is connected to the first connector 2, an adjustment hole 21 is provided on the first connector 2. When the first buckle 52 is inserted into the adjustment hole 21, the first buckle 52 can force the adjustment hole 21 to undergo elastic deformation, so that the first buckle 52 is located inside or penetrates the adjustment hole 21, forming a limiting structure with the adjustment hole 21, thereby realizing the connection between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3.
[0041] Preferably, the insert 51 has several small circular holes and a large central circular hole. After the material of the belt body 1 is melted into a liquid, it is cast to cover the insert 51 and tightly connected to the insert 51 through the small circular holes. The corresponding position of the large central circular hole of the insert 51 on the belt body 1 is the hole through which the electrode passes through the belt body 1. The large central circular hole is to allow the electrode to pass through the belt body 1. The connecting rod 511 is connected to the insert 51, and the end of the connecting rod 511 protrudes outside the belt body 1 to facilitate connection with the first buckle 52.
[0042] like Figure 5 and 6 In one embodiment, the second connector 3 includes a second buckle 331, a first connecting piece 32, and a second connecting piece 33. A connecting hole 31 is provided through the belt body 1. The first connecting piece 32 and the second connecting piece 33 are located on opposite sides of the connecting hole 31. A connecting post 311 is provided on the first connecting piece 32 and / or the second connecting piece 33, and the first connector 2 and the second connecting piece 33 are connected to each other through the connecting hole 311 via the connecting post 311. The second buckle 331 is provided on the first connecting piece 32 or the second connecting piece 33, and the second buckle 331 can form a limiting structure with the first connector 2. Through this embodiment, the second connector 3 can be quickly connected and fixed to the first connector 2. The second connector 3 is detachably installed on the belt body 1, and can be disassembled and replaced.
[0043] Specifically, this embodiment is another structure of the second connector 3. The connecting post 311 passes through the connecting hole 31, and both ends of the connecting post 311 are respectively connected to the first connecting piece 32 and the second connecting piece 33, so that the first connecting piece 32 and the second connecting piece 33 can be installed on the belt body 1 and become an integral part of the belt body 1. When the connecting post 311 is only provided on one of the first connecting pieces 32 and the second connecting piece 33, the other connecting piece has a fixing hole corresponding to the connecting post 311 to ensure that the first connecting piece 32 and the second connecting piece 33 can be connected to each other through the connecting post 311. Further, when the connecting post 311 is provided on both the first connecting piece 32 and the second connecting piece 33, one end of the connecting post 311 is connected to the first connecting piece 32 or the second connecting piece 33, and the other end is free. The free end of the connecting post 311 can be connected to the fixing hole on the second connecting piece 33 or the first connecting piece 32. The second buckle 331 has the same structure as the first buckle 52.
[0044] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the first connector 2 has multiple adjustment holes 21, all of which are arranged in the same direction. The second connector 3 can form a limiting structure with the adjustment holes 21. Through this embodiment, the diameter of the ring formed by the belt body 1 can be adjusted to adapt to different targets, thus improving its applicability. The length of the belt body 1 can be adjusted in multiple increments, and the belt body 1 can be quickly fixed.
[0045] like Figure 3 and 5 As shown, in one embodiment, all electrode segments 13 are uniformly arranged in the same direction, and the thickness of the electrode segments 13 at both ends is greater than the thickness of the electrode segments 13 between the two ends. In this embodiment, the electrode segments 13 at both ends protrude from the surface of the band 1, ensuring good contact between the two electrode assemblies 4 at the connection point of the band 1 and the surface of the target to be measured, which is particularly beneficial for conforming to the concave areas of the human chest cavity.
[0046] Specifically, Figure 3 This is a partial side view of the belt 1 located at one end of the first connector 2. The electrode segment 13 on the left side of the figure is the end electrode segment 13, and its thickness is greater than that of the electrode segment 13 on the right side. Figure 5 This is a partial side view of the belt 1 located at one end of the second connector 3. The electrode segment 13 on the right side of the figure is the end electrode segment 13, and its thickness is greater than that of the electrode segment 13 on the left side. The electrode segment 13 located between the two ends is on the same plane as one side of the elastic segment 14.
[0047] Example 2
[0048] like Figure 7As shown, the present invention provides an electrode assembly for use in an electrode strip, including an electrode assembly 4. The electrode assembly 4 includes conductive silicone 42 and a double-layer copper buckle 41. The conductive silicone 42 is disposed on the electrode segment 13. The detection surface of the conductive silicone 42 can contact the target to be detected. One end of the double-layer copper buckle 41 is electrically connected to the conductive silicone 42, and the other end passes through the electrode segment 13 and can be electrically connected to the feed wire.
[0049] Specifically, the electrode assembly 4 can be electrically connected to the feed wire, and the side of the conductive silicone 42 facing away from the tape body 1 is the detection surface, which is used to contact the target to be tested.
[0050] like Figure 8 and 9 As shown, in one embodiment, the double-layer copper buckle 41 includes a conductive post 413, an inner core layer 412, and a male buckle layer 411. The inner core layer 412 and the male buckle layer 411 are sleeved on the conductive post 413. The inner core layer 412 has multiple through holes 414. The conductive silicone 42 covers the outer side of the inner core layer 412. One end of the conductive post 413 is connected to the conductive silicone 42 through the inner core layer 412, and the other end passes through the electrode segment 13, exposing the male buckle layer 411 to the strip body 1. The male buckle layer 411 can be electrically connected to the feed wire.
[0051] Specifically, the double-layer copper buckle 41 is an integral structure, consisting of a bottom inner core layer 412 and a top male buckle layer 411. The inner core layer 412 is provided with several through holes 414. After the conductive silicone 42 is melted, it is cast to cover the inner core layer 412 and is tightly connected to the inner core layer 412 through the through holes 414, while exposing the male buckle layer 411. This structure has good conductivity, the inner core layer 412 and the conductive silicone 42 are not easy to separate, and the male buckle layer 411 can easily penetrate the tape body 1 and connect to the feed line.
[0052] In one embodiment, the detection surface of the conductive silicone 42 has multiple arc-shaped grooves 421 and / or arc-shaped protrusions. With this embodiment, when the strip 1 is fixed to the target, the arc-shaped protrusions have a larger contact area with the target surface, resulting in better contact and reducing contact impedance. Typically, a conductive medium needs to be applied to the electrode to reduce contact impedance; the arc-shaped grooves 421 can effectively carry more conductive medium and maintain it during the adjustment of the strip 1.
[0053] Specifically, the arc-shaped groove 421 is a hemispherical groove, and the arc-shaped protrusion is a spherical protrusion structure.
[0054] In one embodiment, the conductive silicone 42 is bonded to the electrode segment 13. This embodiment improves the integration of the conductive silicone 42 and the tape body 1, and the manufacturing process is simple, resulting in a strong and durable product.
[0055] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0056] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging, characterized in that, The device includes a strip comprising a plurality of electrode segments arranged along its length and elastic segments located between adjacent electrode segments. The electrode segments are used to mount electrode assemblies. The thickness of the electrode segments is greater than the thickness of the elastic segments, so that the elastic segments are more prone to elastic deformation than the electrode segments. The electrode segments do not deform. The electrode segments are uniformly arranged in the same direction, and the thickness of the electrode segments at both ends is greater than the thickness of the electrode segments between the two ends.
2. The electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the belt is provided with a first connector, and the other end is provided with a second connector that can be detachably connected to the first connector.
3. The electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second connector includes a first buckle, an insert, and a connecting rod; the insert is embedded inside the belt body, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the insert, and the other end is detachably connected to the first buckle, wherein the first buckle can form a limiting structure with the first connector.
4. The electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second connector includes a second buckle, a first connecting piece, and a second connecting piece; the belt body has a through-hole, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are respectively located on both sides of the through-hole, and the first connecting piece and / or the second connecting piece are provided with connecting posts, which pass through the through-hole to connect the first connector and the second connecting piece to each other, and the second buckle is provided on the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece, and the second buckle can form a limiting structure with the first connector.
5. The electrode strip for electrical impedance imaging according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connector has multiple adjustment holes, all of which are arranged in the same direction, and the second connector can form a limiting structure with the adjustment holes.
6. An electrode assembly applied to the electrode strip as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The device includes an electrode assembly comprising conductive silicone and a double-layer copper buckle. The conductive silicone is disposed on the electrode segment, and the detection surface of the conductive silicone can contact the target to be detected. One end of the double-layer copper buckle is electrically connected to the conductive silicone, and the other end passes through the electrode segment and can be electrically connected to the feed wire.
7. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The double-layer copper buckle includes a conductive post, an inner core layer, and a male buckle layer. The inner core layer and the male buckle layer are sleeved on the conductive post. The inner core layer has multiple through holes. The conductive silicone covers the outer surface of the inner core layer. One end of the conductive post is connected to the conductive silicone through the inner core layer, and the other end passes through the electrode segment. The male buckle layer is exposed on the tape body. The male buckle layer can be electrically connected to the feed wire.
8. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection surface of the conductive silicone has multiple arc-shaped grooves and / or arc-shaped protrusions.
9. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The conductive silicone is bonded to the electrode segment.