Gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes

Abstract

To enable easy and inexpensive replacement of multiple gel sheets when their adhesive strength decreases due to prolonged use or other factors. [Solution] A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes comprises a plurality of conductive gel sheets and an insulating sheet-shaped holder body that supports the plurality of gel sheets spaced apart from each other so that one side of the plurality of gel sheets adheres to a plurality of locations on the skin of a living organism and the other side adheres to a plurality of bioelectrodes, wherein the holder body has an opening corresponding to each of the plurality of gel sheets, and each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the side opposite to the bioelectrode with respect to the holder body and electrically connected to the skin of a living organism by adhering to the skin on one side, and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side with respect to the holder body and electrically connected to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes by adhering to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes on the other side, and electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a gel sheet holder used for a biological electrode of a biological information output device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a biological information output device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. This biological information output device is provided with a detachable electrode pad for detecting biological signals. A plurality of biological electrodes included in the electrode pad for detecting biological signals detect biological signals from a plurality of locations on the skin of a living body, and the biological information such as the state of muscles and the state of heartbeat obtained by electrically processing the biological signals is output by light, sound, wireless, etc., facilitating physical condition management and the creation of a Holter electrocardiogram.

[0003] The plurality of biological electrodes are exposed at intervals on the back surface of an insulating electrode substrate included in the electrode pad for detecting biological signals, and are each electrically connected to the biological information output device via wiring formed on the electrode substrate. At the same time, biological signals are detected from a plurality of locations on the skin through a plurality of spaced conductive gel sheets that adhere to and are electrically connected to the biological electrodes and the skin of the living body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above-mentioned electrode pads for detecting biosignals have multiple gel sheets, one side of which is attached to multiple bioelectrodes exposed on the back surface of the electrode substrate, and the other side of which is attached to the skin. As a result, the adhesive strength of the gel sheets may decrease due to prolonged continuous use or long-term storage, and it may become necessary to replace the gel sheets. In such cases, there is a problem in that it is time-consuming to peel off multiple gel sheets from multiple bioelectrodes and replace them with new ones.

[0006] Furthermore, a new problem arose: replacing the entire electrode pad for detecting biosignals in order to replace multiple gel sheets at once would be prohibitively expensive.

[0007] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a gel sheet holder that allows for the easy and inexpensive replacement of multiple gel sheets for multiple bioelectrodes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, which advantageously solves the above problems, It is provided on the electrode pad for detecting biological signals in a biological information output device that electrically processes biological signals to acquire biological information and outputs that biological information, and is used in multiple biological electrodes that detect biological signals from multiple locations on the skin of a living organism that are spaced apart from each other. Multiple conductive gel sheets, An insulating sheet-shaped holder body supports the plurality of gel sheets, spaced apart from each other, such that one side of each gel sheet adheres to multiple locations on the skin of the living organism and the other side adheres to the plurality of bioelectrodes. Equipped with, The holder body has an opening corresponding to each of the plurality of gel sheets, Each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the side opposite to the bioelectrode relative to the holder body, which adheres to the skin of the living body on one side and is electrically connected, and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side relative to the holder body, which adheres to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes on the other side and is electrically connected, and is electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the opening. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, An insulating sheet-like holder body supports multiple gel sheets, spaced apart from each other, such that one side of each gel sheet adheres to multiple locations on the skin of a living organism, while the other side adheres to multiple bioelectrodes of a bio-information output device. Each of the aforementioned multiple gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion. The skin-side gel sheet portion is located on the side opposite to the bioelectrode relative to the holder body, and adheres to the skin of the body on one side, making an electrical connection to that skin. The bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion is located on the bioelectrode side relative to the holder body, and adheres to each of the multiple bioelectrodes on its other side, thereby electrically connecting to those bioelectrodes. It is also electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the openings in the holder body corresponding to each of the multiple gel sheets.

[0010] Therefore, with the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, if the adhesive strength of one or more of the multiple gel sheets decreases due to prolonged use, the sheet-shaped holder body can be pulled away from the multiple bioelectrodes provided on the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device, thereby allowing the multiple gel sheets to be peeled off and removed from the multiple bioelectrodes as a whole. Subsequently, by pressing the multiple gel sheets supported by another holder body against the multiple bioelectrodes on the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device, the multiple gel sheets can be adhered together to the multiple bioelectrodes, allowing current to be supplied to each of those bioelectrodes. Thus, the replacement of multiple gel sheets can be easily performed, and since the biosignal detection electrode pad itself, which has multiple bioelectrodes, does not need to be replaced, the replacement of multiple gel sheets can be done inexpensively.

[0011] Furthermore, the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention may also be provided with a protective film that adheres to at least one side of the plurality of gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, covering at least one side of the gel sheet holder as a whole, and which is peeled off when in use. In this way, it is possible to prevent the adhesive strength of the gel sheets from decreasing due to the adhesion of dirt or other substances to the surface of the gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use.

[0012] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets may be determined by applying pressure to a single gel sheet adhered to the skin side of the holder body, pushing a portion of it out through the opening of the holder body toward the bioelectrode side of the holder body, with the pushed-out portion becoming the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the portion remaining on the skin side of the holder body becoming the skin-side gel sheet portion. In this way, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be formed from a single gel sheet, thus reducing the number of gel sheets required.

[0013] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets may be two gel sheets that adhere to the holder body and adhere to each other through the opening, forming a single unit. In this way, the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the skin-side gel sheet portion can be set to be of different sizes, so that the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the bioelectrode over a sufficient area, or the skin-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the skin over a sufficient area, as needed.

[0014] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, the sheet-shaped holder body may be made of a thin resin plate, nonwoven fabric, or a resin mesh or a wire mesh with an insulating surface. In this way, multiple gel sheets can be supported spaced apart from each other so that one side of each gel sheet adheres to multiple locations on the skin of a living organism and the other side adheres to multiple bioelectrodes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a muscle state output device, as an example of a bio-information output device that can use an embodiment of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the housing of the muscle condition output device in the above example, detached from the mounting sheet and viewed from the front. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the housing of the muscle condition output device shown above, after it has been removed from the mounting sheet and viewed from the back. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the muscle condition output device shown above, with the housing removed from the mounting sheet and the housing cover removed, as viewed from the front. [Figure 5] The above example shows a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the muscle state output device. [Figure 6]A perspective view showing, together with a protective sheet adhered to the back surface, one embodiment of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of this invention used in the muscle state output device of the above example, seen from the back side in place of the mounting sheet. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing an example of a holder body made of a thin resin plate, non-woven fabric, etc. of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, and having one opening for each of a plurality of gel sheets. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing an example of a holder body made of a thin resin plate, non-woven fabric, etc. of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, and having a plurality of openings for each of a plurality of gel sheets. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing an example of a holder body made of a resin-made net, wire netting, etc. of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, and having mesh openings forming the openings. [Figure 10] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate, non-woven fabric, etc., and the gel sheet is composed of one gel sheet having a size substantially equal to that of the biological electrode; (b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a net, and the gel sheet is composed of one gel sheet having a size substantially equal to that of the biological electrode. [Figure 11] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate, non-woven fabric, etc., and the gel sheet is composed of one gel sheet larger than the biological electrode; (b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a net, and the gel sheet is composed of one gel sheet larger than the biological electrode. [Figure 12] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate, non-woven fabric, etc., and the gel sheet is composed of two gel sheets larger than the biological electrode; (b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the gel sheet holder for a biological electrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a net, and the gel sheet is composed of two gel sheets larger than the biological electrode. [Figure 13](a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric and the gel sheet consists of one gel sheet that is approximately the same size as the bioelectrode and one gel sheet that is larger than the bioelectrode. (b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment in which the holder body is made of a mesh and the gel sheet consists of one gel sheet that is approximately the same size as the bioelectrode and one gel sheet that is larger than the bioelectrode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a muscle state output device as an example of a biological information output device that can use one embodiment of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a muscle state output device as an example of a biological information output device that can use one embodiment of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the present invention, viewed from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing of the muscle state output device of the above example, viewed from the front after being removed from the mounting sheet for the biosignal detection electrode pads. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing of the muscle state output device of the above example, viewed from the back after being removed from the mounting sheet for the biosignal detection electrode pads. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the muscle state output device of the above example, viewed from the front after the housing has been removed from the mounting sheet for the biosignal detection electrode pads and the cover of the housing has been removed.

[0017] This muscle state output device is attached to the skin of a subject and detects electromyographic signals (EMG) from the skin as biosignals generated in the subject's muscles in response to body movement, and outputs a state display signal obtained by processing the EMG signals. It comprises a mounting sheet 1 made of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board that is elastically deformable and electrically insulating, and a biosignal detection electrode pad having three bioelectrodes 2, 3 formed on the back side of the mounting sheet 1, for example by printed circuitry, and positioned at intervals from each other at both ends and the center of the mounting sheet 1 in the longitudinal direction. Here, the bioelectrodes 2 at both ends of the mounting sheet 1 are, for example, EMG detection electrodes, and the bioelectrode 3 in the center of the mounting sheet 1 is, for example, an insensitive electrode.

[0018] The electrode pads for detecting biosignals in this muscle state output device also include three adhesive sheets 4 made of, for example, conductive gel sheets suitable for adhering to the subject's skin, which are conductive and individually cover the three bioelectrodes 2,3; three sheet-side connection parts 5 formed, for example by printed wiring, in the longitudinal center of the surface side of the mounting sheet 1 and positioned spaced apart from each other; and three bioelectrodes formed, for example by printed wiring, on the surface side of the mounting sheet 1, positioned spaced apart from each other, and penetrating the mounting sheet 1 at their ends, or penetrating the mounting sheet 1 from the sheet-side connection parts 5 (not shown) to the mounting sheet 1. The device has three connecting wires 6 that electrically connect electrodes 2 and 3 to three sheet-side connecting parts 5, and a housing holder 7 which has two plate-shaped support parts 7a erected from both sides of the longitudinal center of the surface side of the mounting sheet 1, and two narrow, interlocking parts 7b extending inward from the upper ends of these support parts 7a. The housing holder 7 is formed, for example, from a conductive metal plate bent into a roughly C shape, and surrounds the longitudinal center of the mounting sheet 1. It is fixed to the mounting sheet 1 so as to overlap with the bioelectrode 3 on its back side, and the bioelectrode 3 is electrically connected to the adhesive sheet 4 via the housing holder 7.

[0019] This muscle state output device further includes a housing 8 that fits between the support portions 7a of a housing holder 7 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the mounting sheet 1 along the surface of the mounting sheet 1 on both sides 8a. Guide grooves 8b are formed on both sides 8a of the housing 8, extending from one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 8 to the center and engaging with the engagement portion 7b of the housing holder 7 to guide the sliding of the housing 8. As shown in Figure 1, a downward-facing recess 8c is provided at the stop end of the guide groove 8b, which allows the housing 8 to engage with the engagement portion 7b of the housing holder 7 when it is slid to a predetermined sliding position where its longitudinal center is located at the longitudinal center of the mounting sheet 1.

[0020] Furthermore, on the back side of the housing 8, as shown in Figure 3, there are three housing-side connection parts 9 formed in a curved convex shape, for example, using spring steel plate. These contact the three sheet-side connection parts 5 when the housing 8 is in the predetermined slide position, elastically pressing each of these sheet-side connection parts 5, separating the housing 8 from the surface of the mounting sheet 1, and engaging the engaging part 7b of the housing holder 7 with the downward-facing recess 8c at the stop end of the guide groove 8b, while also electrically connecting to the sheet-side connection parts 5. As a result, when the housing 8 is slid to the predetermined slide position with the engaging part 7b of the housing holder 7 fitted into the guide groove 8b of the housing 8, the housing 8 separates from the surface of the mounting sheet 1 due to the reaction force of the pressing force of the housing-side connection parts 9, the recess 8c of the guide groove 8b of the housing 8 engages with the engaging part 7b of the housing holder 7, and the housing 8 is positioned and fixed to the mounting sheet 1 at the predetermined slide position.

[0021] This muscle state output device is further housed within the housing 8, as shown in Figure 4 with the housing 8 cover removed. It is configured as a microcomputer by mounting a CPU (central processing unit), memory, input / output circuits, IC chips, and other electronic components on a roughly rectangular printed circuit board. It operates based on a pre-programmed set of components and is electrically connected to each of the three bioelectrodes 2 and 3 on the back side of the mounting sheet 1 via the housing-side connection part 9, the sheet-side connection part 5, and the connection wiring 6. It processes electromyographic signals detected by the bioelectrodes 2 and 3 from the skin of a subject (not shown) and outputs a state display signal representing the muscle state obtained from that processing. The system comprises an electrical signal processing circuit board 10, a rechargeable battery 11, such as a lithium-ion battery, which is housed in the housing 8 and supplies power to the electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 and can be recharged multiple times, two charging terminals 12 provided on the back side of the housing 8 or elsewhere so that they can be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 11 from outside the housing 8 as shown in Figure 3, an operation switch 13 provided on the front side of the housing 8 which also serves as a power switch and switches the operation of the electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 depending on how it is pressed, an LED lamp 14, also provided on the front side of the housing 8, which serves as a pilot lamp to indicate the ON / OFF state of the power, and a small speaker (not shown) mounted on the back of the electromyography signal processing circuit board 10.

[0022] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the muscle state output device described above. In this example, the muscle state output device processes electromyographic signals by amplifying the analog electromyographic signals detected by the bioelectrodes 2 and 3 using an electromyographic amplifier, then converting them to digital signals (A / D). The CPU generates a state indicator signal that represents the muscle tension state corresponding to the strength of the electromyographic signals. This state indicator signal is output to a recording medium (not shown), such as a memory card, and recorded therein in a readable format. It is also output as a state indicator sound from the small speaker, and simultaneously or alternatively as a state indicator light from the LED lamp 14.

[0023] Here, the status indicator sound may change depending on the strength of the electromyographic signal, for example, by increasing the frequency, increasing the volume, shortening the time interval of the intermittent sound, or by combining two or more of these. Similarly, the status indicator light may change depending on the strength of the electromyographic signal, for example, by increasing the number of light-emitting elements among the multiple light-emitting elements of the LED lamp 14, thereby increasing the light intensity, by changing the light-emitting elements and altering their color, by shortening the time interval between the blinking of the light-emitting elements, or by combining two or more of these.

[0024] Furthermore, as the output of the status indicator signal, by operating the operation switch 13, instead of outputting from the small speaker or LED lamp 14, the status indicator signal may be transmitted wirelessly to a mobile phone using a high-frequency communication circuit (RF) and a communication standard such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®, so that the mobile phone can read the signal using a program pre-installed on the mobile phone, and the mobile phone may output either or both of the status indicator sound and / or status indicator light.

[0025] Furthermore, the charging terminal 12 may be made accessible by mounting the casing 8 in a charging holder or charging stand (not shown), for example, as in a typical mobile phone, so that it can be connected to a charger.

[0026] In this muscle state output device, when the attachment sheet 1 is attached to the electromyography signal detection position on the subject's skin using three adhesive sheets 4 on its back side, three bioelectrodes 2 and 3 positioned spaced apart on the back side of the attachment sheet 1 detect electromyography signals from the subject's skin associated with body movement via the conductive adhesive sheets 4. Connecting wires 6 positioned spaced apart on the front side of the attachment sheet 1, passing through or directly through the attachment sheet 1, transmit the electromyography signals to three sheet-side connection parts 5 positioned spaced apart in the center of the front side of the attachment sheet 1. Three housing-side connection parts 9, which are electrically connected to the sheet-side connection parts 5 by elastically pressing them, transmit the electromyography signals to an electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 inside the housing 8. The electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 is powered by a rechargeable battery 11 inside the housing 8 and processes the electromyography signals and outputs a state display signal obtained from that processing.

[0027] Therefore, according to this example of a muscle state output device, even if the subject moves their body, the attachment sheet 1 elastically deforms in response to the body movement, keeping the adhesive sheet 4 attached to the subject's skin. Through the adhesive sheet 4, electromyographic signals can be continuously detected by the bioelectrodes 2 and 3. These electromyographic signals can then be processed by the electromyographic signal processing circuit board 10, such as being digitized and recorded on a recording medium, and the resulting state display signals can be output from a small speaker or LED lamp 14, or transmitted wirelessly.

[0028] Furthermore, in this muscle state output device, the housing holder 7 has support portions 7a erected on both sides of the central part of the surface side of the mounting sheet 1 and engaging portions 7b extending inward from the upper ends of the support portions 7a, and the housing 8 which houses the electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 and the rechargeable battery 11 is fitted between the support portions 7a of the housing holder 7 so as to be slidable along the surface of the mounting sheet 1, and is positioned and fixed to the mounting sheet 1 by engaging with the engaging portions 7b of the housing holder 7 at a predetermined sliding position, and three housing-side connection portions 9 provided on the back side of the housing 8 elastically press the three sheet-side connection portions 5 when the housing 8 is in the predetermined sliding position, and the reaction force of this pressing force separates the housing 8 from the surface of the mounting sheet 1 and engages with the engaging portions 7b.

[0029] Therefore, with this electromyography (EMG) state output device, the housing 8, which is positioned and fixed to the mounting sheet 1, can be removed from the mounting sheet 1 by pushing it toward the mounting sheet 1 to release the engagement with the engagement portion 7b of the housing holder 7, and then sliding it along the surface of the mounting sheet 1. This allows the housing holder 7 to be removed from the mounting sheet 1 by disengaging it from the support portion 7a. In this state, the charger can be electrically connected from outside the housing 8 to the rechargeable battery 11 inside the housing 8 via the charging terminal 12 provided on the housing 8, thereby charging the rechargeable battery 11 inside the housing 8 without any external force being applied to the mounting sheet 1 from the charger's wiring. After charging, the housing 8 can be positioned and fixed to the mounting sheet 1 by the reverse operation described above. This eliminates the hassle of battery replacement and prevents unintended peeling of the mounting sheet 1 from the subject's skin during charging of the rechargeable battery 11, making repeated use of the mounting sheet 1 easier.

[0030] Furthermore, in this muscle state output device, if the electromyography signal processing circuit board 10 is configured to perform processing and output such as increasing the frequency and volume of the status indicator sound and shortening the intermittent interval, and / or increasing the light intensity, changing the color, and shortening the blinking interval of the status indicator light, the electromyography signal will become stronger in accordance with the degree of muscle tension of the subject. Therefore, the degree of muscle tension can be easily determined by increasing the frequency and volume of the status indicator sound and shortening the intermittent interval, and / or increasing the light intensity, changing the color, and shortening the blinking interval of the status indicator light, thereby enabling effective muscle training and the like.

[0031] Furthermore, in a bio-information output device that can use the embodiment of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the present invention, including the muscle state output device described above, the mounting sheet 1 may be made of a highly rigid material rather than an elastically deformable flexible material, depending on the location and state of use, the housing holder 7 may be omitted and the mounting sheet 1 may be fixed to the housing 8, or, as in the case of the respiratory state output device described later, the mounting sheet (electrode substrate) 1 may be integrally formed with the housing 8 on the back side of the housing 8.

[0032] Next, we will describe, based on the drawings, an electrode substrate (indicated by the same reference numeral as the mounting sheet, as it has substantially the same configuration as the mounting sheet) 1 used by the muscle state output device in the above example in place of the mounting sheet 1 for the biosignal detection electrode pad, and a bioelectrode gel sheet holder as one embodiment of this invention, which is attached to the electrode substrate 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment, seen from the back, together with the protective film 17 attached to the back surface of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body 15 of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment, which is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric and has one opening 15a for each of the multiple gel sheets 4; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body 15 of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment, which is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric and has multiple openings 15a for each of the multiple gel sheets; and Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body 16 of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the above embodiment, which is made of a resin mesh or wire mesh and has mesh openings that form an opening 16a.

[0034] Furthermore, in order to increase the adhesive force of the holder body 15 or holder body 16 to the skin of the person being tested for muscle state output devices, the holder body 15 or 16 may have an adhesive surface made of double-sided adhesive tape 15b or the like between the areas to which adjacent gel sheets 4 are adhered, as shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the above-described electrode pad for detecting biological signals has three biological electrodes 2, 3 (two electromyography electrodes 2 and one insensitive electrode 3) that detect biological signals from the skin of a living body at three locations spaced apart from each other. It comprises a bendable insulating electrode substrate (indicated by the same reference numeral as the mounting sheet, as it has substantially the same configuration as the mounting sheet) 1 which is detachably attached to the housing 8 of the muscle state output device in the above example as a biological information output device and connects the biological electrodes 2, 3 to the muscle state output device. It also comprises three independent conductive gel sheets (indicated by the same reference numeral as the adhesive sheet, as it has substantially the same configuration as the adhesive sheet) 4 which adhere to the skin of the subject in a curved state so as to conform to the skin, and conduct electricity to the three biological electrodes 2, 3. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, it comprises, for example, a bendable insulating holder body 15 or 16 which supports the three gel sheets 4 in a configuration that allows them to adhere to each of the three biological electrodes 2, 3 and which integrally connects them to each other.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment includes a protective film 17 made of, for example, a transparent resin, which adheres to the same sides of each of the three gel sheets 4 supported by the holder body 15 or 16, thereby covering at least one side of the holder body 15 or 16 and being peeled off before use.

[0037] In the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment having the configuration described above, an insulating sheet-like holder body 15 or 16 supports the three gel sheets 4 spaced apart from each other such that one side of each gel sheet 4 adheres to three locations on the skin of a living organism and the other side adheres to the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 of a bioinformation output device. Each of the gel sheets 4 has a skin-side gel sheet portion and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion. The skin-side gel sheet portion is located on the side of the holder body 15 or 16 opposite to the bioelectrodes 2, 3, and adheres to the skin of a living organism with the one side to be electrically connected to the skin. The bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion is located on the side of the bioelectrodes 2, 3 relative to the holder body 15 or 16, and adheres to each of the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 with the other side to be electrically connected to those bioelectrodes 2, 3, and is electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion via an opening 15a or 16a of the holder body 15 or 16 corresponding to each of the three gel sheets 4.

[0038] Therefore, with the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment, if the adhesive strength of one or more of the three gel sheets 4 decreases due to prolonged use, the three gel sheets 4 can be removed integrally from the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 by pulling the sheet-shaped holder body 15 or 16 away from the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 provided on the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device. Then, by pressing the three gel sheets 4 supported by another holder body 15 or 16 against the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 of the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device, the three gel sheets 4 can be adhered together to the three bioelectrodes 2, 3, and current can be supplied to each of the bioelectrodes 2, 3. Thus, the three gel sheets 4 can be easily replaced, and since the biosignal detection electrode pad itself, which has the three bioelectrodes 2, 3, does not need to be replaced, the replacement of the three gel sheets can be done inexpensively.

[0039] Furthermore, the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment is further provided with one or two protective films 17 that adhere to one or both sides of the three gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, covering one or both sides of the gel sheet holder as a whole, and which are peeled off when in use. This prevents the adhesive strength of the gel sheets 4 from decreasing due to the adhesion of dirt or other substances to the surface of the gel sheets 4 when the bioinformation output device is not in use.

[0040] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment, the sheet-shaped holder body 15 may be made of a flexible or highly rigid material such as a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, or it may be made of a flexible or highly rigid material such as a resin mesh or a wire mesh with an insulating surface, as shown in Figure 9. In this way, the three gel sheets 4 can be supported spaced apart from each other so that one side of each gel sheet 4 adheres to multiple locations on the skin of the living body and the other side adheres to the three bioelectrodes 2 and 3. In particular, if the material is flexible, the three gel sheets 4 can be made to follow the movement of the muscles of the living body.

[0041] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the three gel sheets may be determined, for example, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, by applying pressure to a single gel sheet 4 attached to the skin side of the holder body 15 or 16, pushing a portion of it out through the opening 15a or 16a of the holder body 15 or 16 towards the bioelectrode 2,3 side of the holder body 15 or 16, with the pushed-out portion becoming the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion, and the portion remaining on the skin side of the holder body 15 or 16 becoming the skin-side gel sheet portion. In this way, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be formed from a single gel sheet 4, thus reducing the number of gel sheets 4 used.

[0042] Furthermore, in the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, for example, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the three gel sheets 4 may be two gel sheets 4 that are adhered to the holder body 15 or 16 and adhere to each other via the opening 15a or 16a, forming a single integrated unit. In this way, the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the skin-side gel sheet portion can be set to be of different sizes, so that the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the bioelectrodes 2 and 3 over a sufficient area as needed, or, as shown in Figure 13, for example, the skin-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the skin over a sufficient area.

[0043] Although the above description is based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the electrode substrate 1 is provided with three bioelectrodes 2, 3 and three gel sheets 4, but instead, the insensitive electrode 3 and the corresponding gel sheet 4 may be omitted, and two bioelectrodes 2 and two gel sheets 4 may be provided, or four or more bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 and four or more gel sheets 4 may be provided, or the bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 of the electrode substrate 1 may not be provided with gel sheets 4, and the three gel sheets 4 of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this embodiment may be directly adhered to the bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 of the electrode substrate 1 and electrically connected to those bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3. Furthermore, the bio-information output device using the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention may not be the muscle state output device described above, but may be an electrocardiograph or the like that detects and processes electrocardiogram signals and outputs data such as heart rate and Holter electrocardiogram that indicate the operating state of the heart, or it may be a respiratory state output device or the like that detects and processes electrocardiogram signals from the chest and outputs data indicating the respiratory state of the subject.

[0044] Thus, with the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of this invention, if the adhesive strength of one or more of the multiple gel sheets decreases due to prolonged use, the sheet-shaped holder body can be pulled away from the multiple bioelectrodes provided on the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device, thereby allowing the multiple gel sheets to be peeled off and removed from the multiple bioelectrodes as a whole. Subsequently, by pressing the multiple gel sheets supported by another holder body against the multiple bioelectrodes on the biosignal detection electrode pad of the bioinformation output device, the multiple gel sheets can be adhered together to the multiple bioelectrodes, allowing current to be supplied to each of the bioelectrodes. As a result, the multiple gel sheets can be easily replaced, and since the biosignal detection electrode pad itself, which has multiple bioelectrodes, does not need to be replaced, the replacement of the multiple gel sheets can be done inexpensively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. Electrode substrate (mounting sheet) 2. Bioelectrodes (electrodes for detecting electromyography) 3. Bioelectrodes (Insensitive electrodes) 4. Gel sheet (adhesive sheet) 5. Seat-side connection part 6. Connection Wiring 7. Enclosure holder 7a Support part 7b Engagement part 8 cabinets 8a side 8b Guide groove 8c recess 9. Enclosure-side connection section 10. Electromyography signal processing circuit board 11 Rechargeable battery 12 Charging terminal 13. Operation switches 14 LED lamps 15,16 Holder body (gel sheet holder) 15a,16a opening 15b Double-sided adhesive tape 17 Protective film

Claims

1. A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes used in a bioelectrode that is provided on the electrode pad for biosignal detection of a biosignal detection device that electrically processes biosignals to acquire biosignal information and outputs that biosignal, and is used for multiple bioelectrodes that detect biosignals from multiple locations on the skin of a living organism that are spaced apart from each other, Multiple conductive gel sheets, An insulating sheet-shaped holder body supports the plurality of gel sheets, spaced apart from each other, such that one side of each gel sheet adheres to multiple locations on the skin of the living organism and the other side adheres to the plurality of bioelectrodes. Equipped with, The holder body has an opening corresponding to each of the plurality of gel sheets, Each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the side opposite to the bioelectrode relative to the holder body, which adheres to the skin of the living body on one side and is electrically connected, and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side relative to the holder body, which adheres to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes on the other side and is electrically connected, and is electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the opening. A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes featuring the following characteristics.

2. The bioelectrode gel sheet holder according to claim 1, further comprising a protective film that adheres to at least one side of the plurality of gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, covering at least one side of the gel sheet holder as a whole, and which is peeled off when in use.

3. The bioelectrode gel sheet holder according to claim 1, characterized in that in at least one of the plurality of gel sheets, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion are formed by applying pressure to a single gel sheet adhered to the skin side of the holder body and pushing a portion thereof out from the opening of the holder body toward the bioelectrode side of the holder body, with the pushed-out portion being the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the portion remaining on the skin side of the holder body being the skin-side gel sheet portion.

4. The bioelectrode gel sheet holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets are two gel sheets that adhere to the holder body and adhere to each other through the opening, forming a single unit.

5. The gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet-like holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric.

6. The bioelectrode gel sheet holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet-like holder body is made of a resin mesh or a wire mesh with an insulating surface treatment.

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