An array-type flexible wearable ring for measuring magnetic field signals of human muscles

Abstract

This invention discloses an array-type flexible wearable ring for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals, belonging to the field of biomedical engineering. It includes a flexible ring and slots, wherein: the flexible ring is connected by nylon hook and loop tape to form a closed loop for mounting multiple slots; each slot includes a lower base layer, an upper base layer, a countersunk head, a nut, an outer wall, and a rotating buckle. The flexible ring passes through the central slot between the lower and upper base layers and is then secured by four pairs of nuts and a countersunk head; the outer wall is located on the upper surface of the upper base layer and has a hollow cuboid shape; the rotating buckle is a small, long-arm-like structure that can rotate freely, with its end protrusion engaging with the recess of the outer wall; a baffle at the top limits the position of the top of the slot. This invention can adapt to human body parts of different sizes and has advantages such as high conformality, high flexibility, low cost, lightweight, and ease of measurement, and can be widely used in myoma magnetic measurement research.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of biomedical engineering, specifically relating to an array-type flexible wearable ring for measuring magnetic field signals of human muscles. Background Technology

[0002] Magnetomyography (MMG) is a non-invasive functional imaging technique that acquires weak magnetic field signals generated by nerve stimulation or skeletal muscle contraction and analyzes their characteristics to assess the physiological function and health status of deep muscles. Compared with traditional electromyography (EMG), MMG has advantages such as high spatial resolution, high biocompatibility, and high feature recognition, and has been widely used in cutting-edge basic research for muscle function assessment and diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases.

[0003] Due to the extremely weak (pT) magnetic field signal, current measurements can only be performed using superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). However, SQUIDs operate in extremely low-temperature environments, and the fixed sensors cannot flexibly adjust the measurement site. Their low degree of freedom and high maintenance costs limit the widespread application of magnetomyography (MMG). In recent years, the rapid development of SERF atomic magnetometers has made low-cost, high-sensitivity, and high-degree-of-freedom MMG measurements possible. The wearable nature of the SERF atomic magnetometer is a significant highlight. Combined with the SERF atomic magnetometer, various methods of deep nerve and muscle detection can be performed, achieving high signal-to-noise ratio MMG imaging. However, how to efficiently and stably deploy sensors on the target muscle group has become a new technical challenge. The human body has more than 200 muscles, with significantly different sizes in different areas. Constructing a wearable array mold suitable for all measurement scenarios is of great significance for the free, efficient, accurate, and stable mounting of sensors at the target location. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an array-type flexible wearable loop for measuring magnetic field signals of human muscles. It employs a design combining multiple flexible rings and slots, allowing for the mounting of any number of sensors and free adjustment of their layout. The loops must be flexible and tension-free, with adjustable length, and conform closely to the target muscle group. Therefore, non-magnetic materials are used throughout the entire manufacturing process to ensure low-noise performance in magnetically shielded environments. This array-type flexible wearable loop can adapt to human body parts of different sizes, meeting the requirements of high conformality, high flexibility, low cost, and ease of measurement.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] An array-type flexible wearable loop for measuring magnetic field signals of human muscles includes a flexible loop and a sandwich-type slot:

[0007] The ring belt features a thin, strip-like design and can be connected to form a closed loop using nylon hook and loop fasteners, allowing for flexible size adjustment. A single ring belt can accommodate multiple slots depending on its length. Each slot consists of a lower base layer, an upper base layer, a rotating buckle, an outer wall, countersunk nuts, and a nut, used to connect the sensor and the ring belt. A slot between the upper and lower base layers allows the ring belt to pass through, and it is secured by four pairs of countersunk nuts to prevent slippage on the ring belt. The outer wall has an internal cuboid shape with slender protrusions to ensure a tight sensor insertion. The rotating buckle is a small, long-arm-like structure that can rotate freely; its end protrusion engages with a recess in the outer wall, and a small baffle at the top limits the position of the slot, preventing sensor displacement during measurement. The sensor is a biomagnetic measurement sensor.

[0008] Furthermore, the card slot features a sandwich design, which facilitates easy disassembly and adjustment of the number and placement of the card slots during experiments. For different muscle group measurement points, targeted experimental paradigms can be designed and continuously adjusted to obtain a suitable sensor layout.

[0009] Furthermore, the card slot base has a hollowed-out bottom, which provides a gap between the skin and the sensor, allowing for the placement of other modal sensors (such as carbon electrodes, electrical stimulation electrodes, skin electrosensitive elements, strain gauges, non-magnetic thin film elements, etc.), thus enabling multimodal measurement of skeletal muscle contraction signals and measurement of electrical stimulation evoked signals.

[0010] Furthermore, the ring adopts a thin strip design, is soft in texture and its length can be adjusted, so that it can fit closely to the distribution areas of major muscle groups in the human body, without affecting limb movement and muscle contraction. Its application range includes, but is not limited to, arms, legs, neck, waist, back, etc., and its design is universal.

[0011] Furthermore, since the sensor requires preheating and is at a high temperature during operation, it should not come into direct contact with human skin. Therefore, the bottom of the card slot base uses a hollow design with pre-existing gaps for heat insulation. Simultaneously, the flexible ring has a small thickness, and the countersunk nut allows for control of the gap distance, ensuring a high signal-to-noise ratio in signal measurement.

[0012] Furthermore, once the card slot design is complete, it can be mass-produced. Low-cost, lightweight, high-temperature resistant, non-magnetic, high-toughness, and antistatic materials (such as high-grade resins) should be selected for the 3D printing process to ensure the consistency of the card slot's shape, quality, and size.

[0013] Furthermore, during the measurement process, the flexible rings can be arranged in an array. First, an appropriate ring length is selected based on the measurement area. For multiple measurement sites, multiple flexible rings can be used to cover the area. Specifically, appropriate measurement points are selected based on an anatomical landmark map, and slots are fitted according to their number, position, and orientation. Then, sensors are installed to measure myoma signals. If the conformity of certain parts is low, or if the measurement axis direction of the sensor needs to be adjusted, multiple rings can be used for cross-fixation.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] This invention can adapt to muscle group measurement points in different parts of the body, freely arrange any number of slots and adjust their layout; the ring is soft and its length is adjustable, which can fit closely to the distribution areas of major muscle groups in the human body, conforming to ergonomics and suitable for a wide range of people; all materials used in its preparation are non-magnetic, making it suitable for magnetic shielding environments; the proposed sandwich and flexible strip design scheme realizes the free, efficient, accurate and stable mounting of the sensor, meeting the needs of lightweight, convenient, highly flexible, highly conformal and low-cost in myoma magnetometry. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an array-type flexible wearable ring for measuring magnetic field signals of human muscles according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 A front view of the card slot and flexible ring belt assembly, and a schematic diagram of the hollow design of the interlayer under the card slot base.

[0018] Figure label:

[0019] 1. Flexible loop belt; 2. Nylon hook and loop fastener; 3. Slot; 4. Sensor; 3-1. Lower interlayer of base; 3-2. Upper interlayer of base; 3-3. Center slot; 3-4. Countersunk head; 3-5. Nut; 3-6. Outer wall; 3-7. Protrusion; 3-8. Rotary buckle. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] like Figure 1 The diagram shows an array-type flexible wearable ring for measuring the magnetic field signal of human muscles according to the present invention. The left diagram is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly, and the right diagram is an enlarged schematic diagram of the slot structure. In this embodiment, it is applied to the measurement of human arm muscles, and its components include a flexible ring 1 and a sandwich-type slot 3.

[0022] like Figure 2The diagram shows a front view of the card slot and flexible ring belt assembly and a schematic diagram of the hollow design of the interlayer under the card slot base. The left diagram shows the cooperation relationship between the flexible ring belt 1 and the card slot 3, and the right diagram shows the hollow design of the interlayer 3-1 under the card slot base. The flexible ring belt 1 adopts a thin strip design and can be connected to form a closed loop by nylon hook and loop fasteners 2. Therefore, its size can be freely adjusted. The flexible ring belt 1 can accommodate multiple card slots 3 depending on its length. The slot 3 consists of a lower base interlayer 3-1, an upper base interlayer 3-2, a rotating buckle 3-8, an outer wall 3-6, a countersunk head 3-4, and a nut 3-5, and is used to connect the sensor 4 and the flexible ring belt 1. The slot 3-3 between the upper base interlayer 3-2 and the lower base interlayer 3-1 is used to pass through the flexible ring belt 1. It is pressed and fixed by four pairs of nuts 3-5 and countersunk heads 3-4 to prevent the slot 3 from sliding on the flexible ring belt 1. The outer wall 3-6 is constructed with an internal cuboid groove shape and has a slender protrusion to ensure that the sensor 4 is tightly inserted. The rotating buckle 3-8 can rotate freely, and its end protrusion 3-7 can engage with the wall recess of the outer wall 3-6. The small baffle at the top can limit the top of the slot 3 to prevent the sensor 4 from shifting during the measurement process.

[0023] The slot 3 features a sandwich design, which facilitates easy disassembly and adjustment of its number and position during experiments. For different muscle group measurement points, targeted experimental methods can be designed, and continuous adjustments can be made to obtain a suitable sensor 4 layout.

[0024] The base of the card slot 3 has a hollowed-out interlayer 3-1 at the bottom. The hollowed-out design leaves a gap between the skin and the sensor 4, which can be used to place other types of sensors (such as carbon electrodes, electrical stimulation electrodes, skin electrical sensing elements, strain gauges, non-magnetic thin film elements, etc.), providing the possibility for multimodal measurement of skeletal muscle contraction signals and electrical stimulation evoked signal measurement.

[0025] The flexible ring band 1 adopts a thin strip design, is soft in texture and its length can be adjusted. It can fit closely to the distribution areas of major muscle groups in the human body and will not affect limb movement and muscle contraction. Its application range includes, but is not limited to, arms, legs, neck, waist, back, etc., and its design is universal (for ease of demonstration, in this embodiment the flexible ring band 1 is in a relaxed state and is not tightened to fit the skin).

[0026] When sensor 4 is in operation, it needs to be preheated and reaches a high temperature, so it should not come into direct contact with human skin. The bottom of the interlayer 3-1 under the base of the slot 3 uses a hollow design and also has a gap for heat insulation. At the same time, the flexible ring 1 has a small thickness ratio, and the countersunk head 3-4 and nut 3-5 can control the gap distance to ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio for signal measurement.

[0027] Once the design of the card slot 3 is completed, it can be mass-produced. Low-cost, lightweight, high-temperature resistant, non-magnetic, high-toughness, and antistatic materials (such as high-grade resin) should be selected for the 3D printing process to ensure the consistency of the shape, quality, and size of the card slot 3.

[0028] During the measurement process, a suitable length of flexible ring 1 is first selected based on the measurement area. If the conformity of certain parts is low, multiple flexible rings 1 can be used for cross-fixation. The flexible rings 1 can be freely combined and arranged to form a multi-channel measurement array, achieving comprehensive coverage of the measurement sites. Based on the human anatomical landmark map, suitable measurement points are selected, and slots 3 are installed according to their number, position, and orientation. Subsequently, sensors 4 are installed to measure myomagnetic signals. For experimental designs requiring adjustment of the magnetic measurement axis to different directions, multiple flexible rings can be cross-fixed through a combination of transverse and longitudinal arrangements, effectively improving the measurement freedom and preventing the slots from shifting from the measurement sites during human movement.

[0029] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention. Since the systems / devices described in the above embodiments of the present invention are systems / devices used to implement the methods of the above embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can understand the specific structure and modifications of the system / device based on the methods described in the above embodiments of the present invention. Several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. All systems / devices used in the methods of the above embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of protection desired by the present invention.

Claims

1. An arrayed flexible wearable band for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals, characterized by, The application relates to a flexible ring belt (1) and a clamping groove (3), wherein: The flexible ring belt (1) is connected to form a closed loop through nylon hook-and-loop fastener (2) and is used for carrying a plurality of clamping grooves (3); The clamping groove (3) comprises a bottom seat lower interlayer (3-1), a bottom seat upper interlayer (3-2), a countersunk head (3-4), a nut (3-5), an outer wall (3-6) and a rotating buckle (3-8); the flexible ring belt (1) passes through the middle slot (3-3) between the bottom seat lower interlayer (3-1) and the bottom seat upper interlayer (3-2) and is then compressed and fixed through four pairs of nuts (3-5) and countersunk heads (3-4); the outer wall (3-6) is located on the upper surface of the bottom seat upper interlayer (3-2) and has a hollow cuboid shape; the rotating buckle (3-8) is a small long-arm structure capable of freely rotating, the arm end protrusion (3-7) of the rotating buckle (3-8) is engaged with the recess of the outer wall (3-6), the top baffle is used for limiting the top of the clamping groove (3) and preventing displacement of a sensor (4) during measurement.

2. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals of claim 1, wherein, The clamping groove (3) is designed in a sandwich mode.

3. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals of claim 1, wherein, The flexible ring belt (1) is designed in a thin strip shape, is soft and can be adjusted in length.

4. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sensor (4) is a biomagnetic measurement sensor, the bottom seat lower interlayer (3-1) of the clamping groove (3) is hollowed out at the bottom to reserve a gap between the skin and the sensor (4) and is used for placing other modal sensors, the other modal sensors include any one of a carbon electrode, an electric stimulation electrode, a skin electric sensitive element, a strain gauge and a non-magnetic film element.

5. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The clamping groove (3) is made by 3D printing.

6. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals of claim 1 or 3, wherein, A plurality of flexible ring belts (1) can be arranged in an array mode to form a multi-channel measurement array.

7. The arrayed flexible wearable cuff for measuring human muscle magnetic field signals of claim 6, wherein, A plurality of flexible ring belts (1) are cross-fixed through transverse and longitudinal free combination arrangement and constitute a measurement array.

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