Measuring device for biological information

Abstract

A biological information measuring device configured for measuring biological information, the device comprising: a plurality of electrodes; an electrode holding section insulated from the electrodes and having a contact surface which comes into contact with a surface of a measurement object during the measurement of the biological information, the electrode holding section being configured to hold at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and pressure means configured to press the electrodes against a skin surface of the measurement object at least during the measurement of the biological information, the electrodes held by the electrode holding section having a shape with a convex curved surface and the curved surface being provided to protrude from the contact surface.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of healthcare and relates in particular to a measuring device for biological information. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is known that a biological signal generated in a living body, such as an electrocardiographic signal, is measured using an electrode placed on the surface of the living body. To accurately measure the biological signal, it is necessary that the contact resistance between the electrode and the surface of the living body be sufficiently low. Various configurations relating to the shape of the electrode are traditionally known to achieve this (for example, patent documents 1 and 2). It should be noted that the electrodes described in patent documents 1 and 2 have a structure in which a protruding section is provided on a flat plate, and the contact area between the flat plate section, as part of the electrode, and the surface of the living body varies depending on the contact method.

[0003] Furthermore, it has recently become common for individuals to self-measure information (hereinafter also referred to as biological information) relating to their body and health, such as blood pressure readings and electrocardiographic waveforms, using a measuring device on a daily basis and to use the results for health management. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for devices that prioritize portability, and many portable measuring devices have become widely available. LITERATURE LIST PATENT LITERATURE Patent Document 1: JP 2013-085629 A Patent Document 2: JP 2016-036642 A Patent Document 3: JP 2020-120915 A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAL PROBLEM

[0004] Meanwhile, in order to obtain an accurate measurement, the contact resistance between the electrode and the surface of the living body must be sufficiently small, as described above, even in a device such as a portable device that allows a person to easily measure body information.

[0005] However, particularly when using a simple measuring device such as a portable terminal, even with the electrode structures described in patent documents 1 and 2, the problem arises that the contact area between the flat plate section and the surface of the living body varies considerably during the measurement of the biological signal, and the detected biological signal becomes unstable.

[0006] In view of the problems described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for reducing the variation in the contact area between a surface of a living body and an electrode during measurement in a biological information measuring device that includes the electrode. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0007] A measuring device for biological information according to the present invention adopts the following configurations to solve the aforementioned problems. That is to say, a biological information measuring device configured to measure biological information, the device comprising: a large number of electrodes; an electrode holding section that is insulated from the electrodes and has a contact surface that comes into contact with a surface of a measurement object during the measurement of biological information, wherein the electrode holding section is configured to hold at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and Pressure devices configured to press the electrodes against a skin surface of the subject, at least during the measurement of biological information, wherein the electrodes held by the electrode holding section have a shape with a convex curved surface and the curved surface is provided to protrude from the contact surface.

[0008] In this configuration, the electrode, with a structure protruding from the contact surface, is pressed against the skin surface of the living body by the pressure medium. The electrode is embedded in the human body to make contact with the circumferential surface of the protruding electrode, thus lightly holding the entire electrode in contact with the living body. Furthermore, the electrode retention section, configured to hold the electrodes and forming the contact surface with the human body, is insulated from the electrodes. Therefore, the contact area between the electrode and the skin surface does not affect the detection of a biological signal. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress variations in the contact area between the electrode and the surface of the living body during measurement and to capture a stable signal (biological information).

[0009] Furthermore, each of the electrodes held by the electrode retention section can be supported at a base end of the electrode near the contact surface by a socket section made of an insulator. According to such a configuration, a section where the influence of body hair on the skin surface increases (where the body hair concentrates when the electrode is pressed) can be made of an insulator, and a larger area of ​​the electrode surface is likely to come into contact with the skin surface, thus enabling a more stable signal to be detected.

[0010] Furthermore, the measuring device for biological information can be used with a main body housing that is fixed to the object being measured by a band, at least during the measurement of the biological information. The electrode holding section can be provided on the side of the main body housing where the main body housing comes into contact with the object being measured. Alternatively, the side of the band where it comes into contact with the object being measured can also be the electrode holding section. In addition, the band can also serve as the pressure-bearing element. According to such a configuration, the present invention can be effectively applied to a portable measuring device, such as a wristwatch.

[0011] Furthermore, the biological information measuring device can enclose the multiple electrodes within the main body housing and can acquire an electrocardiographic signal based on a potential difference between the multiple electrodes. Alternatively, the biological information measuring device can enclose the multiple electrodes on one side of the tape where the tape comes into contact with the subject and can acquire an electrocardiographic signal based on a potential difference between the multiple electrodes. Additionally, the electrode holding section can hold a measuring electrode, used to measure an electrocardiographic signal, and a reference electrode for establishing a reference potential.

[0012] Furthermore, the main body housing can include an optical sensor between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode. In a multifunctional portable measuring device for biological information, configured to measure other biological information such as a pulse wave (blood pressure), it is necessary to make the space in which the electrodes are arranged compact. The present invention can be used suitably for such a configuration.

[0013] Furthermore, the biological information can include a blood pressure reading, and the band can be equipped with an air cushion used for blood pressure measurement. Additionally, the air cushion can also serve as the pressure-bearing element.

[0014] Furthermore, the biological information measuring device can be a portable device configured to allow the main body housing to be worn on an arm section of a human body that is the subject of measurement.

[0015] Furthermore, the electrodes held by the electrode holding section can be designed to have a circular, elliptical, or oval shape in a top view.

[0016] It should be noted that the configurations and processing described above can be combined to form the present invention, provided that the combination does not lead to technical contradictions. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for reducing the variation in the contact area between the surface of a living body and an electrode during measurement in a biological information measuring device that includes the electrode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective external view illustrating a design of a measuring device for biological information according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the design of the measuring device for biological information according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory view illustrating an arrangement relationship when the biological information measuring device according to the first embodiment is attached to a wrist. Fig. Figure 4 is an external view when a main body section of the biological information measuring device according to the first embodiment is viewed from the side of a lower section. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the measuring device for biological information according to the first embodiment is viewed from one side. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the environment of a sensor substrate housing section of the biological information measuring device according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 7(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view to describe the connection between electrodes and a sensor substrate of the biological information measuring device according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 7(B) is an explanatory view to describe an electrode element according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 7(C) is an illustrative view of a configuration of opening sections of a first sensor substrate according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the biological information measuring device according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 9(A) is a first explanatory view of a second modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 9(B) is a second explanatory view of the second modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 9(C) is a third explanatory view of the second modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 10(A) is a first explanatory view of a third modification example of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 10(B) is a second explanatory view of the third modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 11(A) is a perspective external view illustrating a design of a measuring device for biological information according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11(B) is an explanatory view illustrating a design of an inner circumferential surface of a belt section of the second embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS First embodiment

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the configurations described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention to these embodiments alone. Device configuration

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective external view illustrating a design of a configuration of a measuring device 1 for biological information according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, Fig. 2 A side view illustrating the design of the configuration of the measuring device 1 for biological information according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the measuring device 1 for biological information is generally a wearable wristwatch-type device comprising a main body section 10 and a strap section 20, and is capable of measuring biological information such as a pulse wave (pulse), a blood pressure value and an electrocardiographic waveform while being worn on a wrist T of a human body. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement relationship between the wrist T and configurations of the biological information measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment when the biological information measuring device 1 is worn on the wrist T.

[0020] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the main body section 10 includes a main body housing 11 and a cuff cover 16 described below. The main body housing 11 is provided with a display 12 (for example, an organic EL display or the like), operating buttons 131 and 132, a tab 14, and the like, and is also provided with a sensor substrate housing section 15 in which a sensor substrate is housed. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, a side on which the display 12 is formed is referred to as the front surface of the main body housing 11, and a side on which the sensor substrate housing section 15 is formed is referred to as the lower section of the main body housing 11.Furthermore, in the following description, the side of the front surface of the main body housing 11 can be referred to as the upper side, and the side of the lower section of the main body housing 11 can be referred to as the lower side. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the operating buttons 131 and 132 are formed from a conductor and also function as electrodes for electrocardiographic waveform measurement.

[0021] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an external view of the main body section 10 as seen from the side of the lower section. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the lower section of the main body housing 11 includes a central region covered with a resin cover 151, and a region corresponding to an outer circumference of the central region, which is covered with the cuff cover 16. At least one section of the resin cover 151 is formed from a translucent resin, and an inner surface of the main body housing 11 in the region covered by the resin cover 151 corresponds to the sensor substrate housing section 15. The sensor substrate housing section 15 is located in the central region of the main body housing 11 that is covered by the resin cover 151 in a top view and is configured to project towards the wrist T with respect to the cuff cover 16 when worn, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates this. That is, a surface of the resin cover 151 on the side of the lower section serves as a contact surface that comes into contact with a human body.

[0022] Furthermore, a first electrode 133 and a second electrode 134 are provided on the lower section of the main body housing 11, so that contact surfaces with the human body are exposed. One of the first electrodes 133 and the second electrode 134 acts as the ground electrode during electrocardiographic waveform measurement. During electrocardiographic waveform measurement, the biological information measuring device 1 is worn, the contact surfaces of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are brought into contact with the skin surface on the worn section, and an operating button is touched with a finger on the side where the biological information measuring device 1 is not worn. Thus, electrocardiographic waveform measurement can be performed by I-induction.It should be noted that the detailed structures of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are described below.

[0023] Although not illustrated, a charging port is also provided in the lower section of the main body housing 11. A rechargeable battery (in Fig. (4 not illustrated) can be charged by connecting a terminal of a power supply device and the charging port.

[0024] Furthermore, as in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a first LED 111, a second LED 113, a first photodiode (PD) 112, and a second PD 121, mounted on a lower surface (mounting surface) of a second sensor substrate 102 described below, visible through the translucent section of the resin cover 151 from the side of the lower section of the main body housing 11. These configurations are described in detail below.

[0025] The strap section 20 includes a strap 21 and a surface mounting element 25 for fixing the biological information measuring device 1 to the wrist T, and also includes a first pressure cuff 22 and a second pressure cuff 23 for compressing an artery in the wrist T, as well as a sensor cuff 24 for detecting a pressure pulse wave. It should be noted that connecting sections between the respective cuffs 22, 23, and 24 and the main body housing 11 are covered by the cuff cover 16. The cuff cover 16 protects the connecting sections between the respective cuffs 22, 23, and 24 and the main body housing 11 and also serves to fix the respective cuffs 22, 23, and 24 to the main body housing 11.

[0026] Next, the internal configuration of the main body housing 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to an XX cross-section of Fig. 4, and Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area surrounding sensor substrate housing section 15. Fig. 5. It should be noted that Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. These are not exact cross-sectional views, and the configuration has been omitted and distorted for the sake of simplicity of description. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, a rechargeable battery 191, a control board 17, a piezoelectric pump 161, a valve 162, a pressure sensor 163, a flow path plate 164, and the like are housed inside the main body housing 11. Furthermore, the sensor substrate housing section 15, formed in a projection shape, is provided near the lower section of the main body housing 11, and a sensor substrate set 100, including a first sensor substrate 101 and a second sensor substrate 102, is housed in the sensor substrate housing section 15.

[0027] The lower section of the main body housing 11 is provided with a first connecting section 165 and a second connecting section 166 in a region where the sensor substrate housing section 15 is not shown in a top view. The first connecting section 165 connects the main body housing 11 (more precisely, the flow path plate 164 within the main body housing) to the first pressure sleeve 22 and the sensor sleeve 24. The second connecting section 166 similarly connects the main body housing 11 to the second pressure sleeve 23. The first connecting section 165 and the second connecting section 166 are covered by the sleeve cover 16, which is provided in the region corresponding to the outer circumference of the sensor substrate housing section 15 on the lower section of the main body.Furthermore, as described above, the section containing the sensor substrate housing section 15 is covered with the resin cover 151.

[0028] The rechargeable battery 191 can be a general-purpose rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery, and it can be repeatedly recharged by receiving power via the charging port. Furthermore, a processor such as a CPU, memory such as RAM, and the like (not illustrated) are mounted on the control board 17, which performs all the control of the biological information measuring device 1. Additionally, the piezoelectric pump 161, the valve 162, the pressure sensor 163, the flow path plate 164, the first pressure cuff 22, the second pressure cuff 23, and the sensor cuff 24 are configurations related to blood pressure measurement. The flow path plate 164 is a conductive element (metal) and contains a flow path for supplying gas from the piezoelectric pump 161 to each cuff.

[0029] The first sensor substrate 101 and the flow path plate 164 are electrically connected by a spring contact 181, and the control board 17 and the flow path plate 164 are also electrically connected by a spring contact 182. Since the first sensor substrate 101 and the control board 17 are electrically connected to the conductive flow path plate 164, it is possible to increase the ground planes of the first sensor substrate 101 and the control board 17, thereby improving noise resistance. Furthermore, the flow path plate 164 also acts as a shield for the first sensor substrate 101 against noise generated by internal devices such as the piezoelectric pump 161.

[0030] Next, the sensor substrate housing section 15 and the sensor substrate set 100 are described. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6, the sensor substrate housing section 15 is a space projecting from the lower section of the main body housing 11 towards a side that comes into contact with the human body. The sensor substrate set 100, in which the first sensor substrate 101 and the second sensor substrate 102 are vertically stacked in two stages, is housed in this space. It should be noted that the first sensor substrate 101 and the second sensor substrate 102 are connected by a conductive spring contact 105, and these two substrates function as a pair.

[0031] On a lower surface of the second sensor substrate 102, two light-emitting elements, the first LED 111 and the second LED 113, and two light-receiving elements, the first photodiode (PD) 112 and the second PD 121, are provided. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the first LED 111 emits green irradiation light, and the second LED 113 emits red light and / or infrared light in addition to green light. Insulating walls 152 are also provided to isolate the first LED 111, the second LED 113, the first PD 112, and the second PD 121 from one another.

[0032] On the other hand, a capacitor, an amplifier circuit, an analog-to-digital converter (A / D converter) circuit, and the like are mounted on the first sensor substrate 101, although this is not illustrated. It should be noted that the first sensor substrate 101 can be a double-sided mounting substrate. In this way, the sensor substrate set 100 has a vertically stacked, two-tiered structure that includes the second sensor substrate 102 and the first sensor substrate 101. Compared to a case where all components are mounted on a single substrate, it is thus possible to significantly reduce the surface area of ​​the substrates in a top view.

[0033] Next, a type of connection between the first sensor substrate 101 and each electrode will be described with reference to Fig. 7(A), Fig. 7(B) and Fig. 7(C) described. Fig. 7(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view representing a YY cross-section of Fig. 4 corresponds to. Fig. However, 7(A) is not an exact cross-sectional view, and the configuration is omitted and distorted for the sake of simplicity of description. Fig. Figure 7(B) is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of the first electrode 133. Fig. Figure 7(C) is an explanatory view illustrating a design of the lower surface of the first sensor substrate 101.

[0034] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7(A), the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are fixed while in contact with the lower surface of the first sensor substrate 101. Furthermore, the two electrodes are arranged such that a section of each electrode is separated from a contact surface TS (a surface located on a line defined in Figure 7(A)). Fig. 7(A) is marked by a dashed line), which is a surface on the side of the lower section of the resin cover 151, projecting towards a side that comes into contact with the human body when the device is worn.

[0035] Here, the first electrode 133 and the second electrode with the same configuration are described with reference to Fig. 7(B) is described in more detail. The first electrode 133 is essentially formed by a shaft section 133a, which has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction of the drawing sheet, and a head section 133b, which has a curved surface projecting from the contact surface TS of the resin covering 151 with the human body. It should be noted that the head section 133b is circular in a plan view and has a so-called dome shape. It should be noted that the height of the projecting section of the head section 133b from the contact surface TS, the diameter of the projecting section in a plan view, and the like are not particularly limited, but may, for example, fall within a height range of 1 mm to 3 mm, a diameter range of 3 mm to 7 mm, and the like.

[0036] The shaft section 133a is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and one of its inner walls is provided with a screw section 133d. That is, the shaft section 133a functions as an internal thread. Furthermore, a flange-shaped retaining projection section 133c is formed on a lower side of the shaft section 133a. The retaining projection section 133c engages with a recessed section provided in an inner wall on the side of the lower section of the main body housing 11, thus holding the first electrode 133 in place within the main body housing 11. For example, such a structure can be achieved by overmolding the first electrode 133 into the main body housing 11. It should be noted that, although the first electrode 133 has been described here, the same applies to the second electrode 134.In the present embodiment, the main body housing 11 (its underside) corresponds to the holding section in the present invention.

[0037] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7(C), opening sections 106 are provided in the first sensor substrate 101, and an electrode pad 107 is formed on an outer circumference of each opening section. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7(A), the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are screwed onto the opening sections 106 of the first sensor substrate 101 using screw elements 103, which serve as external threads, and are thereby fixed to the first sensor substrate 101. This fixing occurs in a state where the distal end surfaces of the shaft sections of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are in contact with the electrode pads 107, which are formed on the outer circumferences of the opening sections 106 of the first sensor substrate 101. Thus, the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are fixed to the first sensor substrate 101 while being electrically connected to it. Functional configurations of the device

[0038] Next, a functional configuration of the biological information measuring device 1 is described. Fig. Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the measuring device 1 for biological information. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, the biological information measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the functional units of a pulse wave measuring unit 110, a blood oxygen saturation measuring unit (SpO2 measuring unit) 120, a blood pressure measuring unit 130, an electrocardiographic waveform measuring unit 140, a display unit 150, an operating unit 160, a communication unit 170, a storage unit 180, and a power source unit 190. The processor of the control board 17 reads a program from memory and executes the program to control each configuration of the biological information measuring device 1, thereby implementing these functional units.

[0039] The pulse wave measurement unit 110 includes the first LED 111, the second LED 113, and the first PD 112 and measures a pulse wave using a photoplethysmographic method to calculate a pulse. Specifically, green light is emitted by the first LED 111 and the second LED 113, and the reflected light within the living body is received by the first PD 112. This allows the unit to detect the blood flow volume that changes with each heartbeat (a change in the volume of a blood vessel) and measure a pulse wave.

[0040] The SpO2 measuring unit 120 includes the second LED 113 and the second PD 121 and receives reflected light from red light or infrared light emitted by the second LED 113, with the second PD 121 measuring the oxygen saturation of the blood based on the intensity of the reflected light.

[0041] The blood pressure measuring unit 130 includes the piezoelectric pump 161, the valve 162, the pressure sensor 163, the flow path plate 164, the first pressure cuff 22, the second pressure cuff 23, and the sensor cuff 24, and measures blood pressure using an oscillometric method. Blood pressure measurement using the oscillometric method is a well-known technique, and therefore its detailed description is omitted.

[0042] The electrocardiographic waveform measurement unit 140 includes the operating buttons 131 and 132, the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134, which are provided at the lower section of the main body housing 11, and an electrocardiographic waveform measurement circuit (not illustrated), and measures an electrocardiographic waveform by a so-called I-induction method. In particular, an electrocardiographic waveform is measured based on a potential difference between the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134, which, in the wearable state, are in contact with the wrist T of one arm, and a finger of the other hand in contact with the operating button 131 or 132, which acts as an electrode.

[0043] The display unit 150 includes the display 12 and shows various types of information, such as measurement results of biological data and a menu screen. The control unit 160 includes the control buttons 131 and 132 and receives input from the user via these buttons. The communication unit 170 includes an antenna for wireless communication (not illustrated) and transmits information to another electronic device, such as an information processing terminal, for example, via BLE communication. It should be noted that the terminal can also be configured for wired communication.

[0044] The storage unit 180 includes a main memory device (not illustrated), such as working memory (RAM), and stores various types of information, such as application programs and measured biological information. In addition to RAM, it may also include, for example, a long-term storage medium, such as flash memory. The power source unit 190 includes the rechargeable battery 191 and the charging port 192 and serves as the power supply for each unit that forms the measuring device 1 for biological information. Measurement of biological information and effects of the present embodiment

[0045] According to the biological information measuring device 1 described above, blood pressure and the electrocardiographic waveform can be measured simultaneously. At this point, the fluid flows into the first pressure cuff 22 and the second pressure cuff 23, thus pressing the wrist T and the side of the base surface of the main body housing 11 against each other. Therefore, the head sections of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134, which project from the contact surface TS of the main body housing 11, are embedded in the skin surface of the human body. That is, in the present embodiment, the first pressure cuff 22 and the second pressure cuff 23 are configured to also serve as the pressure means according to the invention.

[0046] With this configuration, the entire head section of each of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 is held securely while in contact with the living body. Furthermore, the side of the base surface of the main body housing 11, which holds the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 and forms the contact surface TS with the human body, is covered by a resin coating 151 and is insulated from each electrode. Therefore, the acquired electrocardiographic signal is not affected even if the contact area between the contact surface TS and the skin surface changes during the measurement of the electrocardiographic waveform. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress variations in the contact area between the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 and the skin surface during the measurement and to acquire a stable signal.

[0047] It should be noted that even when only the electrocardiographic waveform is measured (that is, even when no pressure is applied by the first pressure cuff 22 and the second pressure cuff 23), the head sections of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are fixed while embedded in the skin surface of the human body, as long as the main body housing 11 is firmly fixed by the strap 21 and the surface fastening element 25 and worn on the wrist T. Therefore, the blood pressure measurement and the electrocardiogram measurement do not necessarily have to be performed at the same time. It should be noted that in this case, the tension force of the strap section 20 also acts as the pressure force of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 against the skin surface, and thus the strap section 20 corresponds to the pressure means in the present invention. First variation example

[0048] It should be noted that the shapes of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 are not particularly restricted, provided they have a structure with a curved surface projecting from the contact surface TS, and various shapes can be assumed. For example, the first electrode 133 (and the second electrode 134) may not include the retaining projection section 133c. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the retaining projection section in the lower section of the main body housing 11, and the surface on the proximal end face of the head section and the main body housing 11 can, for example, be bonded and fixed together with an adhesive. Second variation example

[0049] Furthermore, the head sections of the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 can have an elliptical or oval shape instead of a circular shape in a top view. Fig. Figures 9(A) to 9(C) are diagrams illustrating shapes of an electrode with an oval shape in a top view as an example of such a modification. Fig. 9(A) is a schematic top view of an electrode according to a modification example, Fig. Figure 9(B) is a schematic view illustrating a side surface in a lateral direction of a head section (that is, a section projecting from the contact surface TS) of the electrode according to the modified example, and Fig. Figure 9(C) is a schematic view illustrating a side surface in a longitudinal direction of the electrode head section according to the modified example. Furthermore, the electrode head section can also have a shape that, in a top view, approximates a rounded square, provided that the head section is designed to have a curved surface. Third variation example

[0050] Furthermore, the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 can be configured such that the proximal end face of the head section is made of an insulator. Fig. 10(A) and Fig. Figure 10(B) illustrates an explanatory view of such a modification example. Fig. Figure 10(A) is a schematic side view of a first electrode 135 according to the modified example, and Fig. 10(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a ZZ cross-section of Fig. 10(A). Note that the dashed line in Fig. 10(A) indicates a line on which the contact surface TS of the main body housing 11 is located. As in Fig. 10(A) and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 10(B), in the first electrode 135 according to the present modified example, a section extending from an outer circumference towards a center on a proximal end face of a head section 135b projecting from the contact surface is a base section 135e made of resin (i.e. an insulator).

[0051] When the electrode section 135b is pressed against the skin surface, the body hairs on the skin surface are concentrated on the proximal end face of the electrode section 135b. Although an increase in the contact area between the electrode and the body hairs adversely affects the detection of stable biological signals, such an adverse effect can be reduced by making the proximal end face (its outer circumference) of the electrode section 135b, where the body hairs are concentrated, from an insulator. Second embodiment

[0052] Next, a further embodiment of the present invention will be described based on Fig. 11(A) and Fig. 11(B) described. Fig. 11(A) and Fig. Figure 11(B) shows schematic views illustrating a configuration of a measuring device 2 for biological information in a second embodiment, wherein Fig. 11(A) illustrates an external perspective view of the measuring device 2 for biological information and Fig. 11(B) illustrates an outline of an inner circumferential surface of a belt section 60 of the measuring device 2 for biological information.

[0053] As in Fig. 11(A) and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 11(B), the measuring device 2 for biological information generally includes a main body section 50, which includes a main body housing 51, a control unit (not illustrated), an LED display 52, an operating button 53, a pulse wave sensor 54 and the like, as well as a belt section 60, which includes a resin belt 69, an electrode section 61 consisting of a plurality of electrodes 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e and 61f, and a belt loop 62.

[0054] It should be noted that, although not illustrated, the strap 69 is provided with a surface fastening element section that includes a hook-and-loop fastener. A user can wear the biological information measuring device 2 by, for example, positioning the biological information measuring device 2 on a section of the left upper arm so that the respective electrodes are in contact with the skin surface, passing one end section of the strap 69 through the strap loop 62, folding the end section back, and engaging the hook-and-loop fastener element to secure the strap 69 in a ring shape on the upper arm.

[0055] The electrode section 61 includes six electrodes 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, and 61f, and the respective electrodes are electrically connected to the main body 50 via electrical leads (not shown) or the like, which are arranged in the belt section 60. Accordingly, the electrode section 61 functions as a sensor unit that detects an electrocardiographic signal. In particular, when the biological information measuring device 2 is worn, two opposing electrodes form a pair, and an electrocardiographic signal is detected based on a potential difference between the two electrodes in a pair. In other words, three types of electrocardiographic signals can be detected simultaneously by the three electrode pairs.

[0056] As in the Fig. 11(A) and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 11(B), each of the electrodes 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, and 61f is circular when viewed from an inner surface of the resin-made belt 69 (a side that comes into contact with the skin surface) and is configured to protrude from an inner surface of the belt 69 in a dome shape. When the biological information measuring device 2 is worn, the respective electrodes are pressed against the skin surface by the tension of the belt 69 and are thereby embedded in and fixed to the skin surface. That is to say, in the present embodiment, the belt 69 corresponds to the electrode holding section and the pressure means according to the device according to the invention.

[0057] It should be noted that the pulse wave sensor 54 functions as a sensor unit that detects a pulse wave signal. In the present embodiment, the pulse wave sensor 54 is a photoelectric pulse wave sensor of the reflection type, which is arranged on a lower surface of the main body housing 51 (i.e., a surface that comes into contact with the skin when worn), as shown in Fig. Figure 11(B) illustrates this. The reflection-type photoelectric pulse wave sensor can detect blood flow volume (a change in the volume of a blood vessel) that changes according to the pulsation of the heart by illuminating a living body with infrared, red, or green light and detecting the light reflected from the living body using a photodiode or the like. Furthermore, it is possible to measure (estimate) a blood pressure value or the like on this basis. Additional note

[0058] The descriptions of the preceding examples serve only to illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various modifications and combinations are possible. For example, the measuring device for biological information need only include an electrode and a circuit for measuring an electrocardiographic waveform, and a function and configuration for acquiring other biological information are not necessarily required.

[0059] Furthermore, in the preceding examples, the biological information measuring device has a configuration in which the main body housing is fixed to the living body by the strap (the band), that is, the measuring device main body and the electrode holding section are integrated, but the present invention can also be applied to other biological information measuring devices. In particular, the present invention can, for example, be applied to a biological information measuring device having a configuration in which an electrode is provided in a probe extending from a stationary main body.

[0060] Furthermore, the contact medium can simply function by pressing the electrode relatively against the skin surface, and means such as a suction cup can be used that draws the skin surface towards the electrode by suction, causing the protruding portion of the electrode to be embedded in the skin surface. Additionally, the contact surface of the electrode holder section from which the electrode protrudes can be bonded to the skin surface with an adhesive, causing the protruding portion of the electrode to be embedded in the skin surface. In this case, the contact surface (electrode holder section) to which the adhesive is applied acts as the contact medium.

[0061] Furthermore, various modifications to the shapes of the respective electrodes can be made in the second embodiment in the same way as described in the first embodiment. List of reference symbols 1.2 Measuring device for biological information 10, 50 Main body section 11, 51 Main body casing 12 ads 14 tab 15 Sensor substrate housing section 16 Cuff cover 17 Control board 20, 60 belt section 21, 69 belts 22 First pressure cuff 23 Second pressure cuff 24 Capture cuff 25 Surface fastening element 52 LED display 53 Control button 54 Pulse wave sensor 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f electrode 62 Strap loop 100 sensor substrate set 101 First sensor substrate 102 Second sensor substrate 103 Screw element 105 Spring contact 106 Opening section 107 electrode pads 111 First LED 112 First PD 113 Second LED 121 Second PD 131, 132 Operating button 133, 135 First electrode 134 Second electrode 151 Resin cover 152 Insulation wall 161 Piezoelectric pump 162 Valve 163 Pressure sensor 164 Flow path plate 165 First connecting section 166 Second connecting section 191 Rechargeable Battery T wrist TS contact surface QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2013-085629 A

[0003] JP 2016-036642 A

[0003] JP 2020-120915 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Measuring device for biological information, configured to measure biological information, the device comprising: a large number of electrodes; an electrode holding section that is insulated from the electrodes and has a contact surface that comes into contact with a surface of a measurement object during the measurement of biological information, wherein the electrode holding section is configured to hold at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and Pressure devices configured to press the electrodes against a skin surface of the subject, at least during the measurement of biological information, wherein the electrodes held by the electrode holding section have a shape with a convex curved surface, and the curved surface is provided such that it protrudes from the contact surface, each of the electrodes includes a base end section that projects from the contact surface and has a smaller outer diameter than a base end of the convex curved surface on one side closer to the contact surface relative to the curved surface, and Each of the electrodes encloses a base section, which is made of an insulator, on an outer circumference of the base end section. [2] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device for biological information is used with a main body housing which is fixed to the object being measured by a band at least during the measurement of the biological information, and the electrode holding section is provided on a side of the main body housing where the main body housing comes into contact with the object being measured. [3] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 2, wherein the measuring device for biological information comprises the plurality of electrodes in the main body housing and detects an electrocardiographic signal based on a potential difference between the plurality of electrodes. [4] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 3, wherein the electrode holding section holds a measuring electrode used to measure an electrocardiographic signal and a reference electrode for determining a reference potential. [5] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 4, wherein the main body housing includes an optical sensor between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode. [6] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 2, wherein the biological information includes a blood pressure value and the band is provided with an air cushion used for blood pressure measurement. [7] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 1, wherein The measuring device for biological information uses a main body housing that is fixed to the object being measured by a band, at least during the measurement of the biological information, and The side of the tape where the tape comes into contact with the object being measured is the electrode holding section. [8] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 7, wherein the measuring device for biological information comprises the plurality of electrodes in the electrode holding section and detects an electrocardiographic signal based on a potential difference between the plurality of electrodes. [9] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 7, wherein the biological information includes a blood pressure value and the band is equipped with an air cushion that is used for blood pressure measurement. [10] Measuring device for biological information according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the measuring device for biological information is a portable device configured to allow the main body housing to be worn on an arm section of a human body which is the subject of measurement. [11] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 10, wherein the tape is the pressure medium. [12] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 6 or 9, wherein the air cushion is the pressure means. [13] Measuring device for biological information according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes held by the electrode holding section are designed to have a circular shape, an elliptical shape or an oval shape in a top view.

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