Device for monitoring biological signals

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for monitoring a biological signal, the device including: a support on which an electrode is formed; an attachment part formed on a lower surface of the support and having a first hole formed at a position corresponding to the electrode; a first cover layer having a second hole formed at a position corresponding to the first hole and configured to cover the lower surface of the attachment part; an attachment pad electrically connected to the electrode through the first hole and the second hole; and a second cover layer configured to cover an exposed portion of the first cover layer where the attachment pad is formed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring biological signals.

Background Art

[0002] Due to the recent rapid development of science and technology, the quality of life of the entire human race has improved, and many changes have occurred in the medical environment. In particular, recently, wearable monitoring devices that can monitor electrocardiogram signals during daily life without going to the hospital have become widely popular among the general public.

[0003] Conventional wearable monitoring devices generally use off-the-shelf Ag / AgCl disposable electrodes or are configured in an electrode-integrated form in which electrodes are instrumentally incorporated into a main body with a circuit unit for electrocardiogram signal monitoring.

[0004] Here, although electrode-integrated wearable monitoring devices are manufactured with the goal of long-term adhesion, there are two major problems. First, when the adhesion position is misselected and corrected at the initial adhesion, the adhesion force of the adhesion surface decreases, making it difficult to maintain the adhesion firmness. Second, when the device is actually worn as a prescription, the adhesion surface may become unusable before the target adhesion period due to external factors such as the skin condition of the wearing patient and the inflow of internal and external moisture. In such cases, since there is no way to restore or replace the weakened adhesion force, it will fail to secure electrocardiogram data for the period expected to be obtained from the patient, which can cause a major problem in patient management.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable monitoring device that can select an attachment position where a biological signal can be clearly measured while minimizing a decrease in the adhesion force of the attachment surface.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable monitoring device that allows only the portion where the attachment surface is formed to be easily replaced when an unintentional decrease in the adhesion force of the attachment surface occurs during biological signal monitoring. **Means for Solving the Problems**

[0008] A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, as a device for monitoring a biological signal, a sheath on which an electrode is formed, an attachment portion formed on the lower surface of the support, a first hole formed at a position corresponding to the electrode, a second hole formed at a position corresponding to the first hole, a first cover layer configured to cover the lower surface of the attachment portion, an attachment pad electrically connected to the electrode through the first hole and the second hole, and a second cover layer configured to cover a portion where the attachment pad is exposed by the first cover layer are provided.

[0010] In addition to this, other devices according to the technical idea of the present invention are further provided. **Advantages of the Invention**

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wearable monitoring device that can select an attachment position where a biological signal can be clearly measured while minimizing a decrease in the adhesion force of the attachment surface.

[0012] Further, according to the present invention, when a decrease in the adhesion force of an unintended attachment surface occurs during biological signal monitoring, a wearable monitoring device can be provided that allows only the portion where the attachment surface is formed to be easily replaced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0014] 10: Device 100: Electrode Assembly 110: Support 120: Attachment Portion 130: First Cover Layer 140: Attachment Pad 150: Second Cover Layer 160: Waterproof Layer 170: Accommodation Portion 180: Third Cover Layer 200: Main Body Housing

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The detailed description of the present invention to be described below refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented as examples. Such embodiments are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can fully implement the present invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the present invention are different from each other but do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. For example, the specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein can be changed and embodied from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, it should be understood that the position or arrangement of individual components within each embodiment can be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the detailed description to be described below is not made in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention should be understood to include the scope claimed by the claims of the patent claims and all scopes equivalent thereto. Similar reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or similar components throughout various aspects.

[0016] Hereinafter, in order to enable those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains to easily implement the present invention, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Configuration of the device

[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can include an electrode assembly 100 and a main body housing 200. Here, an electrode assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a support 110, an adhesion part 120, a first cover layer 130, an adhesion pad 140, a second cover layer 150, a waterproof layer 160, a housing part 170, and a third cover layer 180. Hereinafter, after examining the detailed components of the electrode assembly 100 in detail, the main body housing 200 will be examined in detail.

[0020] First, the support 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be composed of an electrode 111, a first connection member 112, and a trace (not shown) that electrically connects the electrode 111 and the first connection member 112. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two or more electrodes 111 may be formed at a predetermined interval within the support 110, and preferably, three electrodes may be formed including a reference electrode. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode 111 can form a contact with the patient's body to measure a biological signal such as an electrocardiogram signal, and the biological signal measured from the electrode 111 can be transmitted to the first connection member 112 through the trace. On the other hand, the support 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a flexible material so that the electrode 111 can easily form a contact with the patient's body.

[0021] Next, the attachment part 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed on the lower surface of the support 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment part 120 is formed of a material such as a double-sided tape, one side of which can be attached to the lower surface of the support 110, and the other side can be attached to the patient's body (here, before the device 10 starts monitoring the patient's biological signal, it can be attached to a first cover layer 130 described later). That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the other side of the attachment part 120 described above may correspond to an attachment surface for attaching the device 10 to the patient's body.

[0022] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first hole 121 may be formed in the attachment part 120 at a position corresponding to the electrode 111 formed on the support 110. Here, the first hole 121 may be configured with the same number as the number of electrodes 111 formed on the support 110, and its size or shape may also correspond to the size or shape of the electrode 111.

[0023] Next, the first cover layer 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to cover the lower surface of the attachment portion 120, that is, the attachment surface. That is, the first cover layer 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to cover the attachment surface before the device 10 starts monitoring the biological signal of the patient (that is, before the attachment surface is attached to the patient's body), and can perform a function of preventing a decrease in the adhesive force of the attachment surface. On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, neither the surface of the first cover layer 130 that contacts the attachment portion 120 (or the upper surface of the first cover layer 130) nor the surface that does not contact the attachment portion 120 (or the lower surface of the first cover layer 130) needs to form an adhesive substance.

[0024] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a second hole 131 may be formed in the first cover layer 130 at a position corresponding to the first hole 121 formed in the attachment portion 120 (or the electrode 111 formed in the support 110). Here, the second hole 131 may be configured in a number corresponding to the number of the first holes 121 formed in the attachment portion 120 (or the number of the electrodes 111 formed in the support 110), and its size or shape may also correspond to the size or shape of the first hole 121 (or the size or shape of the electrode 111).

[0025] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cut portion 132 may be formed on one side of the first cover layer 130 to facilitate removing the first cover layer 130 from the attachment portion 120. According to an embodiment of the present invention, such a cut portion 132 is formed to cross the first cover layer 130 and can separate the first cover layer 130 into a plurality of pieces.

[0026] Next, the adhesion pad 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be electrically connected to the electrode 111 through the first hole 121 and the second hole 131 (or inserted into the first hole 121 and the second hole 131). That is, the adhesion pad 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention can perform a function of forming a contact with the patient's body instead of the electrode 111 and assisting the electrode 111 in measuring the patient's biological signal. Here, the adhesion pad 140 can be configured in a number corresponding to the number of electrodes 111, and its size or shape can correspond to the size or shape of the electrode 111 (or the size or shape of the first hole 121 and the second hole 131).

[0027] Next, the second cover layer 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to cover the portion where the adhesion pad 140 is exposed by the first cover layer 130. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion pad 140 can be exposed to the outside through the second hole 131 formed in the first cover layer 130, but the second cover layer 150 is configured to cover such a second hole 131, and before the device 10 starts monitoring the patient's biological signal (or before selecting the position where the device 10 is attached to the patient's body), it can perform a function of preventing the adhesion pad 140 from being exposed to the outside. Here, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a release substance can be formed on the surface of the second cover layer 150 that contacts the first cover layer 130 (that is, the upper surface of the second cover layer 150). Accordingly, the second cover layer 150 can be attached to the adhesion pad 140 before the device 10 starts monitoring the patient's biological signal, and can be removed from the adhesion pad 140 immediately before the device 10 starts monitoring the patient's biological signal (or at the time when it is required to select the position where the device 10 is attached to the patient's body). On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the second cover layer 150 that does not contact the first cover layer 130 (that is, the lower surface of the second cover layer 150) will constitute the lower surface of the device 10 before the device 10 starts monitoring the patient's biological signal, and an adhesive substance does not have to be formed.

[0028] Next, the waterproof layer 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be disposed on the upper part of the support 110. Specifically, the waterproof layer 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention is made of a waterproof material and can be formed to wrap the upper surface of the support 110 with a perimeter larger than the perimeter around the support 110. That is, the waterproof layer 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention can perform a function of blocking the inflow of moisture, dust, etc. into the electrode 111 formed on the support 110.

[0029] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a third hole 161 may be formed on one side of the waterproof layer 160 such that the first connection member 112 is exposed on the upper surface of the support 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, such a third hole 161 may be formed in a size or shape corresponding to the accommodating part 170 described later.

[0030] Next, the accommodating part 170 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be fixedly coupled to the support 110 through the third hole 161 formed in the waterproof layer 160. Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fourth hole 171 may be formed in the accommodating part 170 at a position corresponding to the first connection member 112 (or at a position corresponding to the third hole 161 formed in the waterproof layer 160) such that the first connection member 112 can be exposed on the upper surface of the support 110.

[0031] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fixing member (not shown) for fixing the main body housing 200 may be formed on one side of the accommodating part 170. For example, the fixing member may be formed along the inner perimeter of the accommodating part 170, and a locking structure (or snap - fit structure) can be formed between the corresponding fixing member and a fixing member (not shown) formed along the outer perimeter of the main body housing 200. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main body housing 200 can be detachably accommodated (or coupled) in the accommodating part 170 by such a locking structure.

[0032] Next, the third cover layer 180 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to cover the waterproof layer 160. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third cover layer 180 is configured to cover the waterproof layer 160 and can perform a function of preventing the waterproof layer 160 from being exposed to the outside before the device 10 starts monitoring a patient's biological signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fifth hole 181 may be formed in the third cover layer 180 in a shape corresponding to the periphery of the accommodating portion 170. Accordingly, after the third cover layer 180 is detached from the waterproof layer 160, the accommodating portion 170 (or the accommodating portion 170 and the main body housing 200 coupled to the accommodating portion 170) can be removed through the fifth hole 181.

[0033] Next, the main body housing 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include components for managing a biological signal measured by the electrode 111 formed on the support 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second connection member (not shown) may be formed on one side of the main body housing 200 (for example, the lower surface of the main body housing 200), and such a second connection member may be mounted on a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) disposed inside the main body housing 200. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second connection member may be electrically connected to the first connection member 112 through the third hole 161 and the fourth hole 171, and can receive the transmission of the biological signal measured through the electrode 111 from the first connection member 112. On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the second connection member, a memory for performing a function of recording a biological signal, a processor for performing a function of processing a biological signal (for example, when the biological signal is an electrocardiogram signal, estimating arrhythmia with the electrocardiogram signal), a communication module for performing a function of transmitting a biological signal to the outside (wired or wireless transmission), etc. may be further mounted on the PCBA disposed inside the main body housing 200.

[0034] On the one hand, as described above, the main body housing 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a fixing member (not shown) formed on one side, and such a fixing member forms a locking structure (or snap-fit structure) with the fixing member formed in the accommodating portion 170 so that the main body housing 200 can be detachably coupled to the accommodating portion 170 when the main body housing 200 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 170. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the main body housing 200 is detachably coupled to the accommodating portion 170, if the adhesion force of the unintended attachment surface decreases during the biometric signal monitoring of the device 10, the main body housing 200 can be separated from the accommodating portion 170 and the electrode assembly 100 can be easily replaced with another electrode assembly 100. As a result, while storing the biometric signal data stored in the memory inside the main body housing 200, the biometric signal measurement can continue to proceed during the period when monitoring is required.

[0035] Method of attaching the device to the user's body

[0036] As described above, the components included in the device 10 have been examined in detail. Hereinafter, the method of attaching the device 10 to the user's body will be examined in detail, focusing on the first cover layer 130 and the second cover layer 150 among the components included in the device 10.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device 10 can be transmitted to a patient with the electrode assembly 100 and the main body housing 200 coupled and each component of the electrode assembly 100 coupled.

[0038] First, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second cover layer 150 disposed at the lowermost end of the device 10 is removed from the device 10. According to an embodiment of the present invention, with the second cover layer 150 removed from the device 10, only the first cover layer 130 and the attachment pad 140 are exposed at the lower end of the device 10. Here, since no adhesive substance is formed on the lower surface of the first cover layer 130, the device 10 is not attached to the patient's body even when the device 10 comes into contact with the patient's body in this state.

[0039] Next, according to an embodiment of the present invention, while the first cover layer 130 and the adhesion pads 140 are exposed at the lower end of the device 10, the device 10 is positioned at a plurality of locations on the patient's body, and the patient's biological signals are observed to select the position where the biological signals are measured most clearly. A marker is also displayed at the selected position.

[0040] Next, according to an embodiment of the present invention, after separating the device 10 from the patient's body, the first cover layer 130 is removed from the device 10. According to an embodiment of the present invention, with the first cover layer 130 removed from the device 10, only the attachment portion 120 and the adhesion pads 140 may be exposed at the lower end of the device 10.

[0041] Next, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment portion 120 and the adhesion pads 140 exposed at the lower end of the device 10, the lower surface of the attachment portion 120, that is, the attachment surface, is attached to the position marked with the marker.

[0042] Finally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment surface attached to the patient's body (i.e., the position marked with the marker), the third cover layer 180 is removed from the device 10.

[0043] Thereby, the present invention minimizes a decrease in the adhesive force of the attachment surface that may occur during the process of selecting the attachment position of the device 10 and can select an optimal position where biological signals can be clearly measured on the patient's body.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described by way of specific embodiments and drawings limited to specific matters such as specific components, this is merely provided to assist in a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can attempt various modifications and changes from such descriptions.

[0045] Therefore, the idea of the present invention should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments described above, and it can be said that not only the scope of the claims described below but also all scopes equivalent to or equivalently modified from this scope of the claims belong to the scope of the idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring a biological signal, comprising: a support on which electrodes are formed; an adhesion portion formed on a lower surface of the support, with a first hole formed at a position corresponding to the electrode; a first cover layer having a second hole formed at a position corresponding to the first hole and configured to cover a lower surface of the adhesion portion; an adhesion pad electrically connected to the electrode through the first hole and the second hole; and a second cover layer configured to cover a portion where the adhesion pad is exposed by the first cover layer, wherein the adhesion portion is formed in a shape corresponding to around the support; the first cover layer is formed with a perimeter larger than that around the adhesion portion, and an adhesive material is not formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the first cover layer.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a waterproof layer formed with a third hole on one side so as to wrap an upper surface of the support with a perimeter larger than that around the support and expose a first connection member electrically connected to the electrode on the upper surface of the support.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a housing portion coupled to the support through the third hole, having a fourth hole formed at a position corresponding to the first connection member, and having a fixing member for fixing a main body housing formed on one side.

4. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a third cover layer having a fifth hole formed in a shape corresponding to around the housing portion and configured to cover the waterproof layer.

5. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a second connection member electrically connected to the first connection member through the third hole and the fourth hole, and a main body housing detachably coupled to the housing portion.

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