Device for monitoring multi-channel biosignals - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for monitoring biological signals, comprising a main body portion and an electrode portion detachably coupled to the main body portion, the electrode portion including two or more electrodes for acquiring the biological signals and a circuit portion for electrically connecting the electrodes to the main body portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring multi-channel biological signals. [Background technology]

[0002] Advances in science and technology have led to the development of a variety of technologies for monitoring biological signals, including not only electrocardiogram signals but also various other signals collected from the body, such as blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and body temperature.

[0003] On the other hand, among biosignals, electrocardiogram signals can provide useful information for determining whether or not a person has a heart disease, and therefore technologies for collecting and monitoring electrocardiogram signals have been developed.

[0004] Conventional wearable ECG monitoring devices use pre-defined disposable Ag / AgCl electrodes or are configured as an integrated unit that combines the main body containing the circuitry for ECG monitoring with the electrode unit. Therefore, most wearable ECG monitoring devices can only collect ECG signals by connecting electrodes of the same structure and a set number of electrodes, and cannot collect ECG signals by changing the position of the electrodes or increasing the number of electrodes, which has the problem of not being able to grasp the heart, which is a three-dimensional structure, in detail. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve all of the problems of the prior art mentioned above.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring biological signals, which includes a main body and an electrode unit detachably connected to the main body, the electrode unit including two or more electrodes for acquiring the biological signals and a circuit unit for electrically connecting the electrodes to the main body.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to collect various biological signals and accurately diagnose a patient's heart disease by including an electrode unit with various electrode arrangements or two or more electrodes depending on the patient's condition.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable monitoring device that can collect various biological signals with a single main body by allowing electrodes of various shapes to be attached to the single main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A typical configuration of the present invention to achieve the above object is as follows.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for monitoring biological signals, comprising a main body portion and an electrode portion detachably coupled to the main body portion, the electrode portion including two or more electrodes for acquiring the biological signals and a circuit portion for electrically connecting the electrodes to the main body portion.

[0011] In addition, other devices according to the concepts of the present invention are also provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a wearable monitoring device can be provided that includes an electrode unit with various electrode arrangements or two or more electrodes depending on the patient's condition, thereby collecting various biological signals and accurately identifying a patient's heart disease.

[0013] In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wearable monitoring device that can collect various biological signals with one main body by making it possible to connect various types of electrodes to one main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]1 is a view showing a main body part 100 and an electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a view showing a main body part 100 and an electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a view showing a main body part 100 and an electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which biosignals are classified and stored by channel according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to fully practice the present invention. It should be understood that although the various embodiments of the present invention are different from one another, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be embodied in different embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention should be understood to encompass the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate the same or similar components throughout the various aspects.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention.

[0017] Configuring Devices

[0018] FIG. 1 is a view showing a main body and an electrode unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] 1, a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body part 100 and an electrode part 200. Here, the electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include two or more electrodes 210, a circuit part 220, and a pad 250. Hereinafter, detailed components of the electrode part 200 will be discussed in detail, followed by a detailed discussion of the body part 100.

[0020] First, the electrode unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include two or more electrodes 210 for acquiring a biosignal. Here, according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two electrodes 210 may be formed at a predetermined interval, and preferably three electrodes including a reference electrode may be formed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes 210 form contact with the patient's body to acquire a biosignal such as an electrocardiogram signal, and the biosignal acquired from the electrodes 210 may be transmitted to the main body 100 through the circuit unit 220. For example, one of the two or more electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed at the lower end of the coupling portion 230 to acquire a biosignal.

[0021] In addition, the electrode unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a circuit unit 220 that electrically connects the electrode 210 and the main body unit 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the circuit unit 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a circuit trace for transmitting a biosignal acquired by the electrode 210 to the main body unit 100.

[0022] Furthermore, the electrode unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a pad 250. The pad 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed around the electrode 210. When the pad 250 is attached to a patient, the electrode 210 may form contact with the patient's body, allowing the electrode 210 to acquire a biosignal. Here, the pad 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an adhesive pad that is electrically connected to the circuit unit 220 and attached to a position appropriate for acquiring the patient's biosignal, and double-sided tape for attaching to the patient. For example, the biosignal according to an embodiment of the present invention may be acquired by the electrode 210 from the patient's body that forms contact with the adhesive pad. Therefore, the pad 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the patient and functions to enable the electrode 210 to acquire the biosignal. Meanwhile, the adhesive pad according to an embodiment of the present invention may form contact with the patient's body instead of the electrode 210, thereby assisting the electrode 210 in acquiring the patient's biosignal.

[0023] Furthermore, the coupling unit 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform a function of enabling the main body unit 100 and the electrode unit 200 to be detachably coupled. When the main body unit 100 and the electrode unit 200 are coupled by the coupling unit 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a biosignal acquired by the electrode unit 200 can be transmitted to the main body unit 100, and the main body unit 100 can store the biosignal.

[0024] In addition, the biosignal according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrocardiogram signal, but is not limited to an electrocardiogram signal and may include various other biosignals (e.g., blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, or body temperature) within a range that achieves the object of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main body part 100 and an electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] For example, referring to FIG. 2, the electrode unit 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include three electrodes. Referring to FIG. 2, one electrode may be located at the lower end of the coupling portion 230, and the remaining two electrodes may be located at appropriate positions for acquiring electrocardiogram signals. In this case, a channel according to one embodiment of the present invention may be defined by one electrode (i.e., one unipolar electrode) using a Wilson central terminal (WCT) or two electrodes (i.e., a pair of electrodes). For example, if the electrode unit 200 includes three electrodes (e.g., electrodes located at positions corresponding to the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), and left leg (LL) of an ECG 12-lead on the chest), biological signals related to two channels (a channel corresponding to the RA to LA direction and a channel corresponding to the RA to LL direction) may be acquired. Furthermore, a channel according to one embodiment of the present invention may be defined as a lead identified by two electrodes.

[0027] Meanwhile, it should be understood that one of the electrodes 210 according to the present invention does not necessarily have to be disposed at the lower end of the coupling part 230, but may be disposed at various points to achieve the object of the present invention.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit 200 may further include an extension connector 240. Specifically, the electrode unit 200 may further include an extension connector 240 electrically connected to the electrode unit 200, and an additional electrode for acquiring the biosignal may be connected to the extension connector 240.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main body part 100 and an electrode part 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3 , an additional electrode for acquiring a biosignal may be connected to the extension connector 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the additional electrode may be electrically connected to the extension connector 240 through the circuit unit 220. Here, in order for the additional electrode to acquire the biosignal, an additional pad 251 may be disposed around the additional electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the additional pad 251 may form contact with the patient's body to acquire the biosignal. For example, if the biosignal according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrocardiogram signal, the additional electrode may be disposed at at least one of V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6 of the patient's 12-lead ECG, which is known to be suitable for acquiring an electrocardiogram signal, to acquire the electrocardiogram signal. In this case, since more diverse electrocardiogram signals can be acquired, the electrocardiogram signal can be viewed three-dimensionally, allowing for accurate diagnosis of the patient's heart disease.

[0031] Next, the main body 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include various components for driving the device 10, such as a battery, a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly), and a memory for storing biosignals.

[0032] The body unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform a function of acquiring unique information of the electrode unit 200 in response to being coupled to the electrode unit 200. Here, the unique information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include information regarding the number or arrangement of electrodes. For example, when the body unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the electrode unit 200 and the electrode unit 200 includes three electrodes 210, the unique information may include at least one of information that the electrode unit 200 includes three electrodes and information that each electrode is positioned relative to RA, LA, and LL.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation in which biosignals are classified and stored by channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, the main body 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can identify at least one channel implemented by the electrode unit 200 connected to the main body 100, and perform the function of classifying and storing the biosignals acquired through the electrode unit 200 by channel.

[0035] 4(a), when the electrode unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two electrodes and is arranged at positions corresponding to RA and LL, the number of channels implemented by the electrode unit 200 can be one, and an electrocardiogram (Single Channel ECG) signal can be acquired through one channel. At this time, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the main body 100 and the electrode unit 200 are coupled, the main body 100 can acquire unique information that the electrode unit 200 has two electrodes and that the arrangement of the electrodes is at positions corresponding to RA and LL, and the main body can store an electrocardiogram signal through one channel.

[0036] Continuing, for example, referring to (b) of FIG. 4, if the electrode unit 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes three electrodes, each of which is positioned at a position related to RA, LA, and LL, when the main body unit 100 and the electrode unit 200 are coupled, the main body unit 100 can acquire unique information that the electrode unit 200 has three electrodes and the positions of the corresponding electrodes are positioned at a position related to RA, LA, and LL, and the main body unit can acquire biological signals through two channels (for example, a channel related to the LA direction in RA and a channel related to the LL direction in RA).

[0037] When storing biosignals from one channel, there is little need to separate and store the signals because they are acquired at the same point. However, when biosignals are acquired from two channels as shown in Figure 4(b), monitoring the biosignals may be difficult or impossible unless the acquired biosignals are separated and organized. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4(b), when biosignals are acquired from two channels, the main body 100 can perform a function of separating and storing the acquired biosignals by two channels by referring to the acquired unique information (e.g., information regarding the number or arrangement of electrodes). For example, the main body 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can store the acquired biosignals in chronological order, but can also store them alternately by channel. For example, if biosignals according to an embodiment of the present invention are obtained in the order of a1, a2, and a3 from electrodes associated with channels associated with the RA to LA direction, and in the order of b1, b2, and b3 from electrodes associated with channels associated with the RA to LL direction, the main body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store the biosignals in the order of a1, b1, a2, b2, a3, and b3. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when biosignals are stored alternately for different channels in this manner, the main body 100 can store the biosignals for each channel without additional computation, and the biosignals acquired from electrodes associated with various channels can be stored in a single data file, thereby simplifying the structure of the device 10.

[0038] Referring to (c) of FIG. 4, in another example, when the electrode unit 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes three or more electrodes, as described above, the main body unit 100 acquires information regarding the position and arrangement of the electrodes included in the electrode unit 200 as unique information, and when biosignals are acquired, the biosignals can be classified and stored by channel as described above.

[0039] Meanwhile, the biometric signal according to an embodiment of the present invention is encrypted and stored, so that personal health information can be stored safely.

[0040] Finally, the biosignal stored in the main body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be transmitted to an external device (such as a PC) by electrically connecting the main body 100 to a USB terminal connected to the main body 100. In this case, the transmitted biosignal according to an embodiment of the present invention can be encrypted to securely protect personal health information.

[0041] Meanwhile, the term "patient" as used herein should be understood to include not only patients who have heart disease, but also patients who wish to confirm whether they have heart disease.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described above using specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, this is merely provided to facilitate a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and changes from such descriptions.

[0043] Therefore, the concept of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and all scopes equivalent to or modified equivalently from the scope of the claims below as well as the scope of the concept of the present invention can be said to fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10: Device 100: Main body 200: Electrode part 210: Electrode 220: Circuit section 230:Joining part 240: Extension connection part 250: Pad 251: Additional pad

Claims

1. 1. A device for monitoring a biological signal, comprising: a main body, and an electrode portion detachably coupled to the main body portion; The device, wherein the electrode section includes two or more electrodes for acquiring biosignals and a circuit section for electrically connecting the electrodes to the main body section.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the biosignal comprises an electrocardiogram signal.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a pad is placed around the electrode, the pad is attached to a patient, and a biosignal is acquired by the electrode.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion acquires the specific information of the electrode portion in response to being coupled with the electrode portion.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the specific information includes information regarding the number or arrangement of the electrodes.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the main body identifies at least one channel implemented by an electrode unit coupled to the main body, and classifies and stores biosignals acquired through the electrode unit by channel.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode portion further includes an extension connection portion electrically connected to the electrode portion, and an additional electrode for acquiring the biosignal can be connected to the extension connection portion.

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