Electrode member and biopotential measurement electrode

Abstract

Provided is an electrode member (3) for a bioelectric signal measuring electrode, the electrode member (3) being composed of a conductive rubber and coupled to a metal member (4) that is connected electrically to a wire (6a) and has a hole (4a). The electrode member (3) comprises: a plate portion (3a) that is brought into contact with a living organism (2); a head portion (3b) that is fitted into the hole (4a) of the metal member (4) and includes a base end portion (3d), a tip portion (3e) located on the opposite side from the base end portion (3d), a peripheral portion (3f) between the base end portion (3d) and the tip portion (3e), and a slit (3g) formed in the tip portion (3e) and the peripheral portion (3f), the head portion (3b) tapering toward the tip portion (3e); and a neck portion (3c) to which the base end portion (3d) is fixed, the neck portion (3c) connecting the plate portion (3a) and the head portion (3b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrode member and a bioelectric signal measurement electrode.

Background Art

[0002] Electrodes that are brought into contact with a living body are known for measuring bioelectric signals. Such electrodes are disposed, for example, on the head, chest, abdomen, etc. of a living body such as a human body.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-159216 (hereinafter, Patent Document 1) discloses a bioelectric signal measurement electrode having an electrode member made of conductive rubber that is brought into contact with a living body and a metal member similar to a snap button into which the electrode member is fitted. Since the electrode made of conductive rubber is softer than a metal electrode, there is no painful compression and a large contact area with the living body can be ensured. In the bioelectric signal measurement electrode disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the electrode member made of conductive rubber is fitted into the metal member, the electrode member is difficult to come off from the metal member.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An electrode member made of conductive rubber used in combination with a metal member is preferably easy to fit into the metal member.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrode member that is easy to fit into a metal member and difficult to come off once fitted into the metal member, and a bioelectric signal measurement electrode having these metal members and electrode members.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a conductive rubber electrode member that is electrically connected to a wire and connected to a metal member having a hole, a plate portion that is brought into contact with a living body, A head portion that is fitted into the hole of the metal member, a base end portion, a tip portion on the opposite side of the base end portion, a peripheral surface portion disposed between the base end portion and the tip portion, a slit formed in the tip portion and the peripheral surface portion, and having a head portion having a tapered shape toward the tip portion, a neck portion to which the base end portion is fixed, the neck portion connecting the plate portion and the head portion, and is an electrode member of a bioelectric signal measurement electrode having the above.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure is, a metal member having a hole, the electrode member, and is a bioelectric signal measurement electrode having the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electrode member that is easy to fit into a metal member and is difficult to come off once fitted into the metal member, and a bioelectric signal measurement electrode having these metal members and electrode members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The scales of the drawings are not necessarily accurate, and some features may be exaggerated or omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the bioelectric signal measurement electrode 1 of the first embodiment includes an electrode member 3 made of conductive rubber, a metal member 4, a protective cover 5 made of resin, and a cable 6.

[0011] The cable 6 has a wire 6a and an insulating material 6b. The insulating material 6b covers the wire 6a. The end of the wire 6a exposed from the insulating material 6b is electrically connected to the metal member 4. The protective cover 5 is disposed above the metal member 4. The protective cover 5 covers the upper part of the metal member 4 and surrounds the end of the wire 6a. The protective cover 5 is fixed to the metal member 4 and the cable 6.

[0012] The metal member 4 is a female snap button (snap fastener) itself having a hole 4a, or a member having a shape similar to that of a female snap button.

[0013] The electrode member 3 is formed of a conductive rubber. The conductive rubber may be a silicone rubber in which conductive particles (for example, conductive carbon particles or silver particles) are dispersed. The electrode member 3 may have two layers of conductive rubber (for example, a layer of silicone rubber in which conductive carbon particles are dispersed and a layer of silicone rubber in which silver powder is dispersed).

[0014] The electrode member 3 made of conductive rubber is connected to the metal member 4. The electrode member 3 is brought into contact with a living body 2 such as a human body, for example. The electrical signal of the living body 2 is transmitted to the wire 6a through the electrode member 3 and the metal member 4. The end of the cable 6 opposite to the metal member 4 is connected to an electrical measurement device (not shown, for example, an ammeter). A plurality of cables 6 each connected to a plurality of bioelectrical signal measurement electrodes 1 are connected to the electrical measurement device. The plurality of bioelectrical signal measurement electrodes 1 are arranged at various parts of a living body, for example, a human body.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the electrode member 3 has a plate portion 3a, a head portion 3b, and a neck portion 3c. The plate portion 3a has, for example, a disc shape, but may have other shapes. The lower surface of the plate portion 3a is brought into contact with the living body 2. The head portion 3b is fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4. The neck portion 3c connects the plate portion 3a and the head portion 3b.

[0016] The head portion 3b has a base end portion 3d, a tip end portion 3e, and a peripheral surface portion 3f. The base end portion 3d is fixed to the neck portion 3c. The base end portion 3d of the present embodiment is a plane parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion 3a. The tip end portion 3e is located on the opposite side of the base end portion 3d. The tip end portion 3e of the present embodiment is a plane parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion 3a. The peripheral surface portion 3f is disposed between the base end portion 3d and the tip end portion 3e.

[0017] The head portion 3b has a tapered shape toward the tip end portion 3e. As shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral surface portion 3f of the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical lower peripheral surface portion 3f1 and a substantially frustum-shaped upper peripheral surface portion 3f2. The upper peripheral surface portion 3f2 is coaxial with the lower peripheral surface portion 3f1.

[0018] The neck portion 3c of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the head portion 3b. The diameter of the neck portion 3c is smaller than the diameter of the lower peripheral surface portion 3f1. Therefore, the maximum dimension portion of the head portion 3b has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 3c.

[0019] The base end portion 3d has a pair of parallel grooves 3h on the surface facing the neck portion 3c. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the grooves 3h have an arcuate contour. The grooves 3h of the present embodiment are also formed on the lower peripheral surface portion 3f1. If the grooves 3h are not formed, the lower peripheral surface portion 3f1 is cylindrical, but due to the grooves 3h, the lower end of the lower peripheral surface portion 3f1 has a shape defined by two arcs and two line segments.

[0020] Slits 3g are formed in the tip end portion 3e and the peripheral surface portion 3f of the head portion 3b. The slits 3g are formed on a straight line passing through the central axis of the head portion 3b. The slits 3g equally divide the tip end portion 3e into two parts and equally divide the peripheral surface portion 3f into two parts. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 3g1 of the slit 3g formed in the peripheral surface portion 3f is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 3c, but is not limited thereto.

[0021] The head portion 3b of this embodiment has one slit 3g, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 6, the head portion 3b may have two slits 3g. Two slits 3g are formed in the tip portion 3e and the circumferential surface portion 3f. Thereby, the tip portion 3e may be equally divided into four parts, and the circumferential surface portion 3f may be equally divided into four parts. As shown in FIG. 7, the head portion 3b may have four slits 3g. Four slits 3g are formed in the tip portion 3e and the circumferential surface portion 3f. Thereby, the tip portion 3e may be equally divided into eight parts, and the circumferential surface portion 3f may be equally divided into eight parts.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the metal member 4 has an inner ring 4c, an outer ring 4d, and a pair of spring bar members 4b. The inner ring 4c has a flat ring portion 4c1, a dome portion 4c2, and an outer edge portion 4c3. The dome portion 4c2 is formed at the center of the flat ring portion 4c1. The cavity inside the dome portion 4c2 becomes a hole 4a into which the head portion 3b of the electrode member 3 is inserted. The outer edge portion 4c3 is formed at the outer edge of the flat ring portion 4c1. The flat ring portion 4c1, the dome portion 4c2, and the outer edge portion 4c3 are formed from one metal plate.

[0023] A pair of spring bar members 4b are attached to the inner ring 4c. A part of each spring bar member 4b is disposed inside the hole 4a. The pair of spring bar members 4b in the portion disposed inside the hole 4a are parallel.

[0024] The outer ring 4d has a flat ring portion 4d1, a dome portion 4d2, and an outer edge portion 4d3. The flat ring portion 4d1 is disposed parallel to the flat ring portion 4c1 of the inner ring 4c. The dome portion 4d2 is formed at the center of the flat ring portion 4c1. The dome portion 4d2 surrounds the dome portion 4c2 of the metal member 4. The outer edge portion 4d3 is formed at the outer edge of the flat ring portion 4d1. The outer edge portion 4d3 surrounds the outer edge portion 4c3 of the inner ring 4c. The outer edge portion 4d3 and the outer edge portion 4c3 are fixed by caulking.

[0025] The metal member 4 has a pair of spring bar members 4b. A part of each spring bar member 4b is disposed inside the hole 4a. The spring bar members 4b in the part disposed inside the hole 4a are parallel.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembling stage of the bioelectric signal measurement electrode 1. However, in FIG. 10, the electrode member 3 is shown in a front view instead of a cross-section. In the assembly of the bioelectric signal measurement electrode 1, as shown by the arrow A, the electrode member 3 is brought close to the metal member 4, and the head portion 3b of the electrode member 3 is inserted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4. That is, the head portion 3b of the electrode member 3 is fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4. At this time, the tapered head portion 3b is gradually inserted into the hole 4a.

[0027] Slits 3g are formed in the tip portion 3e and the peripheral surface portion 3f of the head portion 3b. Therefore, the head portion 3b is easily elastically reduced in the radial direction. When being fitted into the hole 4a, the head portion 3b is reduced in the radial direction, making it easy to fit the head portion 3b into the hole 4a of the metal member 4. Even when the elasticity of the material of the head portion 3b is low, the head portion 3b can be easily fitted into the hole 4a.

[0028] The base end portion 3d of the head portion 3b has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 3c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, once the head portion 3b is fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4, the head portion 3b is difficult to come off from the metal member 4.

[0029] The base end portion 3d of the present embodiment has a pair of parallel grooves 3h on the surface facing the neck portion 3c. The metal member 4 has a pair of spring bar members 4b. A part of each spring bar member 4b is disposed inside the hole 4a. The spring bar members 4b in the portion disposed inside the hole 4a are parallel. When the head portion 3b is fitted into the hole 4a, the spring bar members 4b are fitted into the grooves 3h. Therefore, once the head portion 3b is fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4, the head portion 3b is difficult to come off from the metal member 4. Further, since the spring bar members 4b are respectively fitted into the grooves 3h, the head portion 3b does not rotate with respect to the metal member 4. That is, the posture of the electrode member 3 can be maintained with respect to the metal member 4.

[0030] The neck portion 3c of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the neck portion 3c may have a frustum - of - cone shape. In the present embodiment, the slit 3g is formed in the head portion 3b. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the slit 3g may extend to the neck portion 3c.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 13, the bioelectric signal measurement electrode 11 of the second embodiment has an electrode member 13 made of conductive rubber, a metal member 14, a protective cover 15 made of resin, and a cable 16. The cable 16 has a wire 16a and an insulating material 16b. The insulating material 16b covers the wire 16a. The end portion of the wire 16a exposed from the insulating material 16b is electrically connected to the metal member 14.

[0032] The protective cover 15 is disposed above the metal member 14. The protective cover 15 covers the upper portion of the metal member 14 and surrounds the end portion of the wire 16a. The protective cover 15 is fixed to the metal member 14 and the cable 16.

[0033] The metal member 14 is a female snap button (snap fastener) having a hole 14a itself, or a member having a shape similar to that of a female snap button. The electrode member 13 of the present embodiment is formed of conductive rubber, similar to the electrode member 3 of the first embodiment.

[0034] The electrode member 13 made of conductive rubber is connected to the metal member 14. The electrode member 13 is brought into contact with a living body 2 such as a human body, for example. The electrical signal of the living body 2 is transmitted to the wire 16a through the electrode member 13 and the metal member 14. The end of the cable 16 opposite to the metal member 14 is connected to an electrical measuring device (not shown, for example, an ammeter). A plurality of cables 16 respectively connected to a plurality of bioelectrical signal measurement electrodes 11 are connected to the electrical measuring device. The plurality of bioelectrical signal measurement electrodes 11 are arranged at various parts of a living body, such as a human body.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the electrode member 13 has a plate portion 13a, a head portion 13b, and a neck portion 13c. The plate portion 13a has, for example, a disc shape, but may have other shapes. The lower surface of the plate portion 13a is brought into contact with the living body 2. The head portion 13b is fitted into the hole 14a of the metal member 14. The neck portion 13c connects the plate portion 13a and the head portion 13b.

[0036] The head portion 13b has a base end portion 13d, a tip end portion 13e, and a peripheral surface portion 13f. The base end portion 13d is fixed to the neck portion 13c. The base end portion 13d of the present embodiment is a plane parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion 13a. The tip end portion 13e is located on the side opposite to the base end portion 13d. The tip end portion 13e of the present embodiment is a plane parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion 13a. The peripheral surface portion 13f is disposed between the base end portion 13d and the tip end portion 13e.

[0037] The head portion 13b has a tapered shape toward the tip end portion 13e. As shown in FIG. 16, the head portion 13b of the present embodiment has a substantially frustum shape.

[0038] The neck portion 13c of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the head portion 13b. The diameter of the neck portion 13c is smaller than the maximum diameter of the head portion 13b. Therefore, the maximum dimension portion of the head portion 13b has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 13c.

[0039] A slit 13g is formed in the tip 13e and the circumferential surface portion 13f of the head portion 13b. The slit 13g is formed on a straight line passing through the central axis of the head portion 13b. The slit 13g equally divides the tip 13e into two parts and equally divides the circumferential surface portion 13f into two parts. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 13g1 of the slit 13g formed in the circumferential surface portion 13f is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 13c, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] The head portion 13b of the present embodiment has one slit 13g, but as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 regarding the first embodiment, the number of slits 13g is not limited to the embodiment.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the metal member 14 has a cylindrical portion 14b, an outer edge portion 14c, and a connecting curved portion 14d. The cylindrical portion 14b is disposed at the center of the metal member 14. The cavity inside the cylindrical portion 14b serves as a hole 14a into which the head portion 13b of the electrode member 13 is inserted. The outer edge portion 14c is disposed on the outer edge of the metal member 14 coaxially with the cylindrical portion 14b. The connecting curved portion 14d connects the cylindrical portion 14b and the outer edge portion 14c. The cylindrical portion 14b, the outer edge portion 14c, and the connecting curved portion 14d are formed from a single metal plate.

[0042] A plurality of slits 14e are formed in the cylindrical portion 14b at equal angular intervals. Each slit 14e extends along the axial direction of the metal member 14.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 13, a hole 15a communicating with the hole 14a of the metal member 14 is formed in the protective cover 15. A part of the head portion 13b of the electrode member 13 is disposed in the hole 15a.

[0044] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly stage of the bioelectric signal measurement electrode 11. However, in FIG. 19, the electrode member 13 shows a front view instead of a cross-section. In the assembly of the biological electrical signal measurement electrode 11, as shown by the arrow A, the electrode member 13 is brought close to the metal member 14, and the head portion 13b of the electrode member 13 is inserted into the hole 14a of the metal member 14. That is, the head portion 13b of the electrode member 13 is fitted into the hole 14a of the metal member 14. At this time, the tapered head portion 13b is gradually inserted into the hole 14a.

[0045] Slits 13g are formed in the tip portion 13e and the circumferential surface portion 13f of the head portion 13b. For this reason, the head portion 13b is easily elastically reduced in the radial direction. When being fitted into the hole 14a, the head portion 13b is reduced in the radial direction, making it easy to fit the head portion 13b into the hole 14a of the metal member 14. Even when the elasticity of the material of the head portion 13b is low, the head portion 13b can be easily fitted into the hole 14a.

[0046] The base end portion 13d of the head portion 13b has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the neck portion 13c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, once the head portion 13b is fitted into the hole 14a of the metal member 14, the head portion 13b is difficult to come off from the metal member 14.

[0047] The neck portion 13c of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape. However, as shown in FIG. 20, the neck portion 13c may have a frustum of a cone shape. In the present embodiment, the slit 13g is formed in the head portion 13b. However, as shown in FIG. 21, the slit 13g may extend to the neck portion 13c.

[0048] As described above, the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details are possible without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. Such changes, modifications, and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1, 11 Biological electrical signal measurement electrode 2 Organism 3, 13 Electrode member 3a, 13a plate part 3b, 13b head part 3c, 13c neck part 3d, 13d base end part 3e, 13e tip end part 3f, 13f peripheral surface part 3g, 13g slit 3h groove 4, 14 metal member 4a, 14a hole 4b spring bar member 6a, 16a wire

Claims

1. An electrode member made of conductive rubber that is electrically connected to a wire and connected to a metal member having a hole and a pair of spring bar members, a plate portion that is brought into contact with a living body, a head portion that is fitted into the hole of the metal member, a base end portion, a tip portion on the opposite side of the base end portion, a peripheral surface portion disposed between the base end portion and the tip portion, a slit formed in the tip portion and the peripheral surface portion, and having a head portion having a tapered shape toward the tip portion, a neck portion to which the base end portion is fixed, the neck portion connecting the plate portion and the head portion, and having, the base end portion has a pair of parallel grooves into which the pair of spring bar members are fitted on a surface facing the neck portion, An electrode member for measuring a bioelectric signal.

2. An electrode member made of conductive rubber that is electrically connected to a wire and connected to a metal member having a hole and a pair of spring bar members, and being, a plate portion that is brought into contact with a living body, a head portion that is fitted into the hole of the metal member, a base end portion, a tip portion on the opposite side of the base end portion, a peripheral surface portion disposed between the base end portion and the tip portion, a slit formed in the tip portion and the peripheral surface portion, and having a head portion having a tapered shape toward the tip portion, a neck portion to which the base end portion is fixed, the neck portion connecting the plate portion and the head portion, and having, the base end portion has a pair of parallel grooves into which the pair of spring bar members are fitted on a surface facing the neck portion, an electrode member, A bioelectric signal measurement electrode having

3. A part of each of the spring bar members is disposed inside the hole, The spring bar members of the portions disposed inside the hole are parallel, The bioelectric signal measurement electrode according to claim 2.

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