Bio-patch device

Abstract

The present invention provides a biopatch device. [Solution] According to embodiments of the present invention, a biopatch device is disclosed that includes a main body portion including a housing and a processing unit disposed inside the housing, and a flexible circuit board (FPCB) made of a conductive material, comprising one or more sensing electrodes electrically connected to the main body portion and an electrical circuit to the one or more sensing electrodes, wherein the flexible circuit board has a top layer on which a predetermined pattern is formed in a part of the area, and the biopatch device is laminated or coated with the pattern to diffusely reflect external noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The specification of the present invention relates to a bio-patch device. More specifically, it includes a flexible circuit board (FPCB) with built-in sensing electrodes, enhances the adhesion to the user's body, covers one side of the flexible circuit board with an opaque material to block static electricity generated by clothing, and blocks electrical signals caused by body contact and external electromagnetic noise.

Background Art

[0002] A bio-patch device can be attached to the body of a user, such as the abdomen, back, shoulder, arm, etc., and can measure bio-signals such as electromyogram, electrocardiogram, safety latitude, brain conduction, EEG, blood pressure, or brain waves.

[0003] Brain conduction records the electrical activity of the brain. A bio-patch device for measuring brain conduction can be attached to the user's scalp to measure brain conduction.

[0004] Electromyogram records the electrical activity of muscles and is used to analyze the function, health status of muscles, or the interaction between nerves and muscles. A bio-patch device for measuring electromyogram can be attached to the surface of the skin to sense the electrical activity of muscles.

[0005] A bio-patch device for measuring electrocardiogram is attached to the user's body so that the electrodes contact the user's skin, senses the electrical activity appearing in the heart, and is measured by electrocardiogram.

[0006] Safety latitude can record electrical signals related to the eyes to measure eye movements and can be obtained by measuring the potential difference between the cornea and retina of the eyes. A bio-patch device for measuring safety latitude is attached next to each eye to sense electrical signals, calculate the potential difference, and measure the safety latitude.

[0007] A biopatch device is attached to the skin in a designated location depending on the signal to be measured, and it senses electrical signals. For accurate disease diagnosis, a biopatch device needs to be attached to the user's body for at least 48 hours, and often 14 days, to detect electrical signals.

[0008] During the long measurement period, user activity caused the device to lose contact with the skin, resulting in a problem where no signal was measured.

[0009] Furthermore, when users wore clothes while wearing the biopatch device, a problem arose where static electricity generated by the clothing introduced noise into the electrical signals.

[0010] To address these issues, there is a growing need for bio-patch devices that enhance adhesion to the skin and reduce the effects of the external environment.

[0011] The background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for the purpose of deriving the present invention or acquired during the process of deriving the present invention, and is not necessarily publicly known technology that was disclosed to the general public before the filing of the present invention. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides a bio-patch device having a shape that is highly flexible to conform to the skin surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a biopatch device having a shielding layer made of a material and / or in a form that blocks static electricity and the like generated by the user's clothing.

[0014] However, these are illustrative examples, and the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to these. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A biopatch device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, a main body including a processing unit disposed inside the housing, and an electrode section electrically connected to the main body, wherein the electrode section comprises one or more detection electrodes for detecting bioelectrical signals, an electrical circuit to the one or more detection electrodes, a conductive structure formed of a conductive material, a shielding layer for reducing electromagnetic interference, and a back layer in contact with the user's skin, wherein the shielding layer is laminated or coated with an opaque material in a predetermined pattern to diffusely reflect external noise and improve signal quality.

[0016] The shield layer has a first pattern formed in a first region including the boundary where the main body is placed, and a second pattern formed in a second region excluding the first region.

[0017] The shield layer can form a predetermined pattern in areas where the main body is not located.

[0018] The first pattern formed on the shield layer has a solid pattern, which can increase the bonding force with the main body.

[0019] The second pattern formed on the shield layer has a mash pattern and can reduce static electricity according to the user's clothing.

[0020] Electrodes that sense electrical and physical signals (ECG, EMG, EOG, impedance) can be placed in the openings of the back layer.

[0021] Electrodes that sense capacitance can be placed in the openings of the back layer.

[0022] Through an opening in the back layer, the sensing electrode, insulator, and air layer are arranged vertically, electrically sensing the distance from the skin, and detecting changes in this distance as changes in capacitance due to skin movement.

[0023] Through the opening of the back layer, the sensing electrode, the insulator, and the skin are vertically arranged, and the presence or absence of contact with the skin can be detected.

[0024] An identification number can be printed on the shield layer.

[0025] The flexible circuit board further includes a base layer and can be formed by covering the upper and back surfaces of the base layer with conductor layers of copper foil.

[0026] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the specific content, claims, and drawings for implementing the following invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0027] The biological patch device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a form that can be bent well corresponding to the skin surface, and can enhance the adhesion to the skin and measure accurate biological signals.

[0028] The biological patch device includes a shield layer made of a material and / or in a form that blocks noise such as static electricity generated by the user's clothing, blocks noise during measurement, and can display a label such as an ID number or the attachment direction of the biological patch device, and display a specific symbol.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1A] It is a front view of the biological patch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] It is a perspective view of the biological patch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] It is an exploded view of the biological patch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a view of the state where the housing is removed from the biological patch device. [Figure 3] It is a view of the shield layer of the biological patch device. [Figure 4] It is a view of the back layer of the biological patch device. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1B. [Figure 6A] This is a cross-sectional view of a biopatch device. [Figure 6B] This is a cross-sectional view of a biopatch device including a support member. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the biopatch device attached to the user's body. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a network environment in which a bio-patch device is connected to an external user terminal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The present invention can be subjected to various transformations and has various embodiments; therefore, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail in the description of the invention. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, but rather to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the invention. The same identification numbers are used for the same components even if they are shown in other embodiments in the description of the invention.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] In the following embodiments, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are not limited in meaning but are used to distinguish one component from another.

[0033] In the following embodiments, a singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] In the following embodiments, terms such as "includes" or "has" mean that the features or components described herein are present, and do not preclude the possibility of the addition of one or more other features or components.

[0035] In drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for illustrative purposes. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for illustrative purposes, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown.

[0036] In the following embodiments, the x, y, and z axes are not limited to the three axes on a Cartesian coordinate system, but can be interpreted in a broader sense that includes them. For example, the x, y, and z axes may be orthogonal to each other, or they may point to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

[0037] Where other embodiments are possible, a particular process sequence may be performed in a manner different from the order described. For example, two processes described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously, or they may proceed in the reverse order of the order described.

[0038] The terms used in this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features or figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] A biopatch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be an electronic device used by being attached to the user's back, chest, shoulders, arms, legs, etc. For example, a biopatch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a device attached to the user's skin that measures biological signals such as brain conduction, electromyography, electrocardiogram, safety latitude, respiration, or blood pressure. In one embodiment, the biopatch device 10 can measure electrical signals such as changes in voltage and current impedance (capacitance, resistance, etc.) that occur along with muscle movement, eye movement, electroencephalogram, heartbeat, respiration, or physical movement via sensing electrodes.

[0040] The biopatch device 10 may be a device that measures brain conduction (EEEG) by inputting electrical signals generated when signals are transmitted between cranial nerves to sensing electrodes. Alternatively, the biopatch device 10 may be a device that measures electromyography (EMG) by inputting electrical signals generated from skeletal muscle to sensing electrodes. The biopatch device 10 can be a device that measures eye position and movement by inputting electrical signals of potential differences generated when the eyes move to sensing electrodes, or a device that senses impedance in response to respiration or body movement.

[0041] Furthermore, the biopatch device (10) may also be a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or transdermal therapeutic device that utilizes iontophoresis based on measured biological signals such as an electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electroencephalogram-myogram, or safe latitude.

[0042] A biopatch device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible circuit board containing a sensor for measuring biological signals and sensing electrodes, and is characterized in that the upper surface of the flexible circuit board has a pattern for diffuse reflection. The pattern for diffuse reflection may be one of a mash, a polygon (e.g., a hexagon), or a hole array.

[0043] Figure 1A is a front view of the biopatch device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a perspective view of the biopatch device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1C is an exploded view of the biopatch device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The biopatch device 10 may include a main body 100 and an electrode unit 200.

[0045] The main unit 100 is located on one side of the biopatch device 10 and may include a housing 110, a battery 120, and a processing unit 131, as shown in Figure 1B. In addition, the main unit 100 may include additional processors, memory, displays, communication units, indicators, and other support structures as a configuration for measuring brain conduction, electromyography, electrocardiogram, safety latitude, etc., when the biopatch device 10 is attached to the user's body. In the following description, specific configurations will be described in detail for the sake of clarity, but unless otherwise specified, configurations not described are not omitted or reduced in the biopatch device 10.

[0046] The housing 110 protects the other components of the main body 100 from external impacts and prevents foreign matter from entering the interior. The shape, size, and material of the housing 110 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the intended use of the biopatch device 10. In one embodiment, the housing 110 may have a dome shape with an internal space.

[0047] Button b can be placed on the top surface of the housing 110. Figure 1A shows, but is not limited to, a single power button on the top surface of the housing 110. For example, multiple buttons can be placed on the top or side surface of the housing 110 to control the power supply and operating mode of the biopatch device 10.

[0048] The internal space of the housing 110 may house a battery 120 and a processing unit 131. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the processing unit 131 may include a signal amplification circuit, a signal processing circuit, a control circuit, a processor, and memory for driving the biopatch device 10. The processing unit 131 can acquire and process signals measured by the sensing electrodes. The processing unit 131 may incorporate a signal processing module. The signal processing module can process signals using algorithms generated via pre-measured signals. The signal processing module can determine whether the electrical value of the signal falls within a normal range and transmit the determined information to connected electronic devices for output. The signal processing module can also transmit and output to connected electronic devices whether or not a signal is being measured.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1C, the biopatch device 10 may further include an adhesive layer on the other side of the electrode portion 200 and may be provided with an adhesive cloth c to cover the adhesive layer. If necessary, the biopatch device 10 can be manufactured without the adhesive cloth c. When using the biopatch device 10, the adhesive cloth c can be removed.

[0050] When in use, the attachment cloth c can be removed and the biopatch device 10 can be attached to the user's body. The attachment cloth c may be, but is not limited to, a plastic vinyl material such as polyvinyl chloride. Optionally, the biopatch device 10 can be manufactured without the attachment cloth c. The attachment cloth c can be attached after manufacturing.

[0051] In other embodiments, the waterproof cloth d can cover the flexible circuit board 200 to protect it. The waterproof cloth d may include a housing groove in which the main body 100 is housed. The areas on both sides of the housing groove cover a portion of the flexible circuit board 200. The biopatch device 10 can be manufactured and used without the waterproof cloth d if necessary.

[0052] In one embodiment, the waterproof cloth d can have a larger area than the flexible circuit board 200. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1C, when the waterproof cloth d is placed on the flexible circuit board 200, at least a portion of it can protrude outside the flexible circuit board 200 and adhere to the user's skin.

[0053] In one embodiment, the waterproof fabric d can be made of a breathable material. For example, the waterproof fabric d may be a moisture-directional material such as a breathable polyurethane tape or Gore-Tex®. Alternatively, the waterproof fabric d can be formed from a waterproof material. This allows the waterproof fabric d to prevent external moisture from entering the inside of the biopatch device 10 (waterproof) while allowing internal moisture to be released to the outside (breathable).

[0054] The following describes a method for manufacturing a biopatch device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] A method for manufacturing a biopatch device according to one embodiment of the present invention involves assembling a main body 100 onto a manufactured electrode 200. The biopatch device 10 can be manufactured by attaching a mounting cloth c to one side of the assembled main body 100 and a flexible circuit board 200. The biopatch device 10 can be delivered to the user as a set including a separately manufactured waterproof cloth d. As shown in Figure 2, the main body 100 may include an O-ring portion 180 that is in close contact with the housing 110 and a connector 140 to which the flexible circuit board is attached. The connector 240 of the flexible circuit board can be attached to the connector 140 by passing through a slit 160.

[0056] The main body 100 may be equipped with an O-ring portion 180 made of an elastic material corresponding to the housing. The material of the O-ring portion (180) may be silicone, EPDM, NBR, Viton, etc.

[0057] The main body 100 may include engaging portions 170a and 170b that engage with the housing. The engaging portions 170a and 170b that engage with the housing can be made of fastening scrap such as hooks.

[0058] In an additional embodiment, the main body portion 100 may further include a temperature sensor 150 that senses temperature. The temperature sensor 150 can sense the external temperature.

[0059] The electrode section 200 contains one or more sensing electrodes and an electrical circuit, and may include a base layer and conductive layers above and below the base layer. The base layer is formed thinly from a material such as polyamide or polyester, and one of the conductive layers arranged above and below may contain a sensing electrode and an electrical circuit.

[0060] The electrode portion 200 may further include a shielding layer 220 and a back layer 230. The shielding layer 220 may be formed by covering a conductive material with a predetermined material. The shielding layer 220 may include a region 221 on which the main body portion 100 is placed and a region 222 on which the main body portion 100 is not placed. The region 222 on which the main body portion 100 is not placed may extend in both directions around the main body portion 100, but is not limited to this, and may extend only in one direction to the left, right, top, or bottom of the main body portion 100.

[0061] Preferably, the electrode section 200 may have one sensing electrode in the center and one sensing electrode in each direction, but the position of the sensing electrodes may be changed according to the position of the area 222 where the main body section 100 is not located.

[0062] The region 221 where the main body is placed and the region 222 where the main body is not placed may be arranged in a straight line. In another embodiment, the region 221 where the main body is placed and the region 222 where the main body is not placed may be formed at a predetermined angle.

[0063] According to embodiments of the present invention, the shielding layer 220 of the electrode portion 200 is covered with an opaque material, which prevents exposure of the sensing electrode and / or electrical circuit. L1 and L2 in Figure 5A represent the case of two layers, and the case where three electrical circuit layers are configured.

[0064] The electrode section 200 and FPCB of the biopatch device 10 may have a base layer made of a material such as polyamide or polyester. The electrode section 200 may further include a conductive layer of a conductive material containing a sensing electrode and an electrical wire for transmitting electrical signals from the sensing electrode, and an insulating layer for electrical insulation from the outside in addition to the conductive layer.

[0065] In embodiments of the present invention, insulating layers can be further formed on the shield layer 220 and the back layer 230. The electrical circuit of the electrode section 200 is connected to the main body section 100 and can perform the function of receiving or transmitting electrical signals. The electrode section 200 may further include a connector 240 (see Figure 4) for connection to the processing unit 131 of the main body section 100.

[0066] The electrode portion 200 may include a base layer 210, a shielding layer 220, and a back layer 230. The base layer 210 may include a film and a conductive layer of a conductive material. The shielding layer 220 and the back layer 230 may include a conductive layer and / or an insulating layer of a conductive material. The shielding layer 220 can be formed by coating a predetermined material onto the conductive layer. The back layer 230 is located on the underside of the base layer 210 and may be formed of a different material from the shielding layer 220 and the back layer 230. The shielding layer 220 may be formed of a first material and the back layer 230 may be formed of a second material.

[0067] As shown in Figure 3, the shield layer 220 can form a first pattern in the region 221 where the main body portion 100 is placed, thereby increasing the adhesion force with the main body portion placed on one side of the flexible circuit board. The first pattern can be formed to correspond to the contact surface of the main body portion. The first pattern may be, for example, a smooth pattern corresponding to the contact surface of the main body portion. In other embodiments, the first pattern can be formed in the region to match the shape of the contact surface of the main body portion. The first pattern may be a solid pattern, but is not limited to this, and may be a similar pattern.

[0068] In other embodiments, the area of ​​the shield layer 220 where the boundary of the main body portion 100 is located may be formed with a first pattern, while the area where the main body portion 100 is placed may be formed with a pattern different from the first pattern.

[0069] The shield layer 220 can be formed with one or more second patterns in all or part of the area where the main body 100 is not placed. The second pattern may be a pattern different from the first pattern and may have a certain shading on its surface. This increases the flexibility of the shield layer 220 in the area where the main body 100 is not placed, and increases the adhesion to the user's body, i.e., skin. Figure 2 shows, as an example, a first pattern 221 and a second pattern 222. The second pattern may be one of a mash, polygon (e.g., hexagon), or hole array. The second pattern may be formed to a predetermined minimum spacing value or less in order to enhance the diffuse reflection effect. The minimum spacing value may be, for example, 2 to 3 mm.

[0070] The second pattern formed on the shielding layer 220 allows the flexible circuit board (FPCB) to be bent in close contact with the skin. For example, the second pattern may be a mash pattern in which a certain pattern is repeated. The second pattern may include multiple mash patterns. The second pattern formed on the shielding layer 220 allows the flexible circuit board FPCB to diffusely reflect external stimuli. The second pattern formed on the shielding layer 220 covers the conductor layer and diffusely reflects external magnetic poles.

[0071] The shielding layer 220 is covered with an opaque colored material, which prevents the electrodes, electrical circuits, etc. of the flexible circuit board from being visually exposed. External light can be diffusely reflected through the shielding layer 220, which has an opaque color and pattern, thereby blocking external electromagnetic waves, static electricity, and impedance changes caused by external physical contact.

[0072] A shield layer 220 can be formed by covering or laminating the first material. The shield layer 220 can also be formed by covering (laminating, coating) a paint, material, etc. of the first material on a conductive layer of a conductive material. The thickness of the shield layer 220 may be formed differently in the region 221 where the main body is located and in the region 222 where the main body is not located. For example, the thickness of the region 221 where the main body 100 is located may be greater than the thickness of the region 222 where the main body 100 is not located.

[0073] Display information 223 can be printed on the shield layer 220. The display information 223 may be a number assigned to each biopatch device 10, a number of the target to which the biopatch device 10 is applied, etc. The display information 223 may further include information regarding the direction of attachment. Specific symbols, identification information, and direction-related information can be printed on the shield layer 220.

[0074] The back layer 230 is formed by coating it with a second material, with the electrode portion 200 positioned in a direction that allows it to adhere to the skin. While the shield layer 220 is formed of a first material, the back layer 230 is formed of a second material. The second material may be transparent, unlike the first material, but is not limited to that; it may also be opaque. The back layer 230 can be formed of an electrically insulated material.

[0075] Unlike the shield layer 220, the entire back layer 230 can be formed from a single pattern. A back layer 230 formed from a single pattern can enhance adhesion to the user's body.

[0076] In other embodiments, an additional support having an opening can be further arranged on one side of the back layer 230. An air layer can be formed between the skin and the additional support. The opening can be formed at a position corresponding to a sensing electrode. When the additional support is arranged, the sensing electrode can sense changes in the air layer as an electrical signal.

[0077] Sensing electrodes can be designed to sense electrical and physical signals. Sensing electrodes can sense electrical signals from the body (skin, eyes, muscles, brain waves, etc.). Sensing electrodes can detect changes in the air layer formed between them and the skin as electrical signals. For example, as a user breathes or exercises, the body changes, and the air layer formed around the sensing electrode changes, which can be detected as a change in electrical signal. Signals that sensing electrodes can detect include ECG, EMG, EOG, and impedance. Sensing electrodes can also measure capacitance values.

[0078] The back layer 230 has a certain thickness, which can increase the contact force with the body. Through the back layer 230, the sensing electrodes can detect electrical signals such as muscle movement, heart movement, eye movement, and brain waves.

[0079] Figure 4 is a rear view of the electrode section 200 of the biopatch device.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4, the electrode section 200 can be provided with three sensing electrodes 231a, 231b, and 231c. The back layer 230 of the biopatch device is made of a transparent material, paint, etc., and the electrodes can be visually exposed. The sensing electrodes and electrical circuits can be visually exposed through the back layer 230.

[0081] The sensing electrodes 231a, 231b, and 231c can measure potentials that appear on the body surface in relation to heart rate, muscle movement, eye movement, electroencephalography, etc., or can apply electric current to inject electrolyte drugs into the body through the user's skin or mucous membranes. They can also measure impedance between electrodes.

[0082] The region within the electrode section 200 where the sensing electrode 231a is located can be formed to be larger than the sensing electrodes 231a, 231b, and 231c. For example, d2 where the sensing electrodes 231a, 231b, and 231c are located can be smaller than d1 and have a size of about d1 / 3. d1 may be about twice or three times the size of d2, but is not limited to this, and may have various sizes.

[0083] As shown in Figure 4, one side of the biopatch device may further be provided with an adhesive layer 300 having adhesive properties. The adhesive layer 300 is positioned on one side of the back layer 230 and can be formed from silicone adhesives, polyacrylate adhesives, hydrogels, etc. The adhesive layer 300 can be formed to cover all or part of the back layer 230.

[0084] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1B.

[0085] The wearable device 10 can be manufactured by laminating multiple layers to create an electrode section 200 on a flexible circuit board, connecting the manufactured electrode section 200 on the flexible circuit board to a processing unit 131, and then assembling the housing 110 to manufacture the wearable device 10'. The cross-section of the assembled wearable device 10' will be as shown in Figure 6.

[0086] More specifically, the electrode portion 200 of the flexible circuit board is coupled to the connector 140 of the processing unit 131, thereby coupling the electrode portion 200 and the processing unit 131. The processing unit 131 may include a battery 120, a connector 140, a slit 160, coupling portions 170a and 170b, and an O-ring portion 180. The processing unit 131 may further include a substrate 132 on which the connector 140, slit 160, coupling portions 170a and 170b, and O-ring portion 180 are arranged. The O-ring portion 180 can be positioned according to the edge of the substrate 132'. When the housing 110 is pressed to position it on the O-ring portion 180, the engaging portions 170a and 170b attach the housing 110 to the substrate 132.

[0087] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the electrode section 200. As shown in Figure 6A, the electrode section 200 of the biopatch device 10 includes a film layer L1, a conductive layer L2 of a conductive material containing a sensing electrode and an electrical circuit, and may include a shielding layer 220 above the film layer and a back layer 230 below the film layer. An adhesive layer 300 can be formed below the back layer 230. The adhesive layer 300 allows the device to adhere to the user's body and skin.

[0088] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of the electrode section 200. As shown in Figure 6B, the electrode section 200 of the biopatch device 10 includes a film layer L1, a conductive layer L2 of a conductive material containing a sensing electrode and an electrical circuit, a shielding layer 220 above the film layer and a back surface layer 230 below the film layer. The height of the support member FL is preferably 1 μm to 5 μm. This air layer allows the patch device to adhere to the skin, and the change in capacitance due to skin movement between the skin and the electrode embodied in the FPCB can be determined, thereby obtaining a signal due to respiration.

[0089] Figure 6A shows an example using a two-layer film, where the thickness of the film layer L1 is preferably 12 μm and the thickness of the conductor layer L2 is 12 μm. The shield layer 220 and the back layer 230 can be formed thinner than the thickness of the film layer L1 and / or the conductor layer L2, for example, 10 μm.

[0090] Figure 7 shows the network environment of the biopatch device T1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] As shown in Figure 7, the biopatch device T1 can be non-invasively or invasively attached to the vicinity of the heart of the object (obj) to sense electrocardiogram signals. Here, the object (obj) may be, but is not limited to, a person or an animal or a part of the body of a person or animal such as the chest, scalp, arm, or leg.

[0092] The biopatch device T1 can be attached to body parts such as the scalp, muscle areas, and around the eyes to measure brain conduction, electromyography, safety latitude, etc. The biopatch device T1 can be attached to body parts according to the biosignals to be measured and measure those signs. The biopatch device T1 can receive the measured ECG signals and process the ECG signals in a predetermined manner. The biopatch device T1 can store and execute programs related to signal processing.

[0093] Figure 8 shows a network environment in which a biopatch device is connected to an external user terminal.

[0094] The biopatch device T1 can send and receive data with the user terminal T2 using a communication unit located in its processing unit. The communication unit can include various communication modules such as a wireless internet module, a short-range communication module, and a mobile communication module.

[0095] A wireless internet module is a module that connects to an external network and communicates according to communication protocols such as Wireless LAN (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro (Wireless broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), and HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access).

[0096] The short-range communication module communicates with external devices located at close range according to short-range communication methods such as Bluetooth®, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (IrDA, Infrared Data Association), UWB (Ultra Wideband), and ZigBee®.

[0097] A mobile communication module refers to a module that connects to a mobile communication network and performs communication according to various mobile communication standards such as 3G (3rd Generation), 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), and LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0098] However, this is not limited to the above, and the communication unit may employ other types of communication modules in addition to those described above, as long as it can communicate with the biopatch device T1 and send and receive various signals and data.

[0099] The biopatch device T1 may include one or more measuring electrodes to measure biosignals such as brain conduction, electromyography, electrocardiogram, safety latitude, respiration, and blood glucose. The biopatch device T can store the measured biosignals in its internal memory. The biopatch device T can transmit biosignals to an external device, the electrocardiogram signal processing device 100, via a communication unit. The biopatch device T1 can transmit the measured biosignals to the user terminal T2 in real time.

[0100] The user terminal T2 can process biological signals measured on the target object obj using processing methods appropriate to each type of biological signal. The user terminal T2 can divide the measured biological signals into predetermined signal segments and group or cluster the signal segments. The user terminal T2 can group or cluster signal segments with a similar pattern to each reference signal segment based on one or more reference signal segments. The user terminal T2 can group or cluster signal segments corresponding to each reference value based on one or more reference values.

[0101] Users authorized to view biosignals, such as medical staff and analysts, can view biosignals via user terminal T2. User terminal T2 can communicate with the biopatch device T1 to receive measured or currently being measured biosignals and display them.

[0102] The user terminal T2 can check the biosignals measured while the patient is holding the device. The biopatch device T1 can send a value to the user terminal T2 corresponding to whether or not the biosignals were measured correctly. If the measurement is not performed correctly, this could include whether or not the adhesion of the biopatch device T1 to the skin is weak, whether or not the adhesion position of the biopatch device has shifted and the biosignals are not measured properly, or whether or not the measured biosignals fall outside the normal category. If the measurement is performed correctly, the biopatch device T1 can send 0 as the value for the measurement status to the user terminal T2, and if the measurement is not performed correctly, it can send a value to the user terminal T2 indicating each case.

[0103] The biopatch device T1 can output the measurement status value via a separate output unit. The biopatch device T1 may further include an output unit such as an LED that outputs a value corresponding to the measurement status.

[0104] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely illustrative. Those with ordinary skill in the art will be able to fully understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from these embodiments. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined based on the appended claims.

[0105] The specific technical details described in the embodiments are representative of one embodiment and do not limit the technical scope of the embodiments. In order to describe the present invention concisely and clearly, descriptions of prior art and configurations may be omitted. Furthermore, the lines or connecting members between components shown in the drawings exemplify functional and / or physical or circuit connections and may be represented as various alternative or additional functional, physical, or circuit connections in actual devices. Additionally, components may not be necessary for applying the present invention unless specifically mentioned as "essential" or "important."

[0106] The “above” or similar designation in the description and claims of this invention may refer to both singular and plural unless otherwise specified. Where a range is described in an embodiment, it is equivalent to describing each individual value constituting the above range in the description of the invention (unless otherwise stated), including inventions applying the individual values ​​belonging to the above range. Furthermore, unless there is a clear indication of an order for the steps constituting the method according to the embodiment, the steps may be performed in any order that suits them. The order in which the steps are described above does not necessarily limit the embodiments. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (e.g., etc.) in an embodiment is merely for the purpose of detailing the embodiment, and the scope of the embodiment is not limited by the above examples or exemplary terms unless otherwise limited by the claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, and changes may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents according to design conditions and factors.

Claims

1. It includes a housing, a main body portion including a processing unit disposed inside the housing, and an electrode portion electrically connected to the main body portion, The electrode section comprises one or more detection electrodes for detecting bioelectrical signals, electrical circuits to the one or more detection electrodes, a conductive structure formed of a conductive material, a shielding layer for reducing electromagnetic interference, and a back layer that comes into contact with the user's skin. The aforementioned shield layer is A biopatch device in which an opaque material is laminated or coated in a predetermined pattern to diffusely reflect external noise and improve signal quality.

2. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein the shield layer includes a first region located below the main body where a first pattern is formed, and a second region where a second pattern different from the first pattern is formed and is separated separately from the first region.

3. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined pattern for optimizing noise reduction is formed in the shield layer in areas where the main body is not placed.

4. The biopatch device according to claim 2, wherein the first pattern formed on the shield layer has a solid pattern and increases the bonding force with the main body.

5. The biopatch device according to claim 2, wherein the second pattern formed on the shield layer has a mesh pattern, reduces static electricity caused by the user's clothing, and improves the electrostatic discharge protection function.

6. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein electrodes for sensing electro-physical signals (ECG, EMG, EOG, impedance) are arranged in the openings of the back layer so that they can come into direct contact with the skin.

7. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein an electrode for detecting capacitance is arranged in the opening of the back layer.

8. A detection electrode, an insulator, and an air gap are arranged vertically in the opening of the back layer. The air layer forms a gap between the detection electrode and the user's skin. The biopatch device according to claim 6, wherein the detection electrode detects changes in the depth of the air layer due to skin movement by measuring changes in capacitance.

9. The biopatch device according to claim 6, wherein the detection electrode, insulator, and skin are arranged vertically through the opening in the back layer to detect the presence or absence of contact with the skin (touch).

10. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein an identification number is printed on the shield layer.

11. The biopatch device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board constituting the electrode portion further comprises a base layer, and the upper and back surfaces of the base layer are covered with a copper foil conductive layer.

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