Gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes

Abstract

To easily and inexpensively replace a plurality of gel sheets when the adhesive strength of the gel sheets is reduced due to prolonged use or the like. [Solution] A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes comprising a plurality of conductive gel sheets and an insulating sheet-like holder body that supports the plurality of gel sheets at a distance from one another so that one side of each gel sheet adheres to multiple locations on the skin of a living body and the other side adheres to multiple bioelectrodes, wherein the holder body has an opening corresponding to each of the plurality of gel sheets, and each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the opposite side of the holder body from the bioelectrode, and one side of the gel sheets adhering to and electrically connecting with the skin of the living body, and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side of the holder body, and the other side of the gel sheets adhering to and electrically connecting with each of the plurality of bioelectrodes, and electrically connecting with the skin-side gel sheet portion via the opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gel sheet holder used for a bioelectrode of a bioinformation output device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a conventional bioinformation output device is that described in Patent Document 1. This bioinformation output device is equipped with detachable electrode pads for detecting biosignals, and detects biosignals from multiple locations on the skin of a living body using multiple bioelectrodes on the electrode pads for detecting biosignals. The biosignals are electrically processed to obtain bioinformation such as muscle condition and heart rate condition, which is output via light, sound, wireless, etc., to facilitate the management of physical condition and the creation of Holter electrocardiograms.

[0003] The multiple bioelectrodes are exposed at a distance from each other on the back surface of an insulating electrode substrate of the electrode pad for detecting biosignals, and are electrically connected to the bioinformation output device via wiring formed on the electrode substrate. Biosignals are detected from multiple locations on the skin via a plurality of spaced apart conductive gel sheets that adhere to and are electrically connected to the bioelectrodes and the skin of the living body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-120573 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the electrode pad for detecting biosignals described above has multiple gel sheets, one side of which is adhered to multiple bioelectrodes exposed on the back surface of the electrode substrate, and the other side of which is adhered to the skin. Therefore, the adhesive strength of the gel sheets may decrease due to long-term continuous use or long-term storage, and the gel sheets may need to be replaced. In such cases, there is a problem in that it is time-consuming to peel the multiple gel sheets from the multiple bioelectrodes and replace them with new ones.

[0006] Furthermore, if the biosignal detection electrode pads are replaced together in order to replace a plurality of gel sheets at once, a new problem arises in that the cost becomes too high.

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

[0008] The gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the present invention, which advantageously solves the above problems, comprises: The electrode pad for detecting a biological signal of a biological information output device that electrically processes a biological signal to obtain biological information and outputs the biological information is provided, and the electrode pad is used for a plurality of biological electrodes that detect biological signals from a plurality of locations spaced apart from each other on the skin of a living body, A plurality of conductive gel sheets; An insulating sheet-like holder body that supports the plurality of gel sheets spaced apart from each other so that one surface of each of the gel sheets adheres to a plurality of locations on the skin of the living body and the other surface adheres to the plurality of bioelectrodes; Equipped with the holder body has openings corresponding to the plurality of gel sheets, each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the opposite side of the holder body from the bioelectrode, and one surface of which is adhered to and electrically connected to the skin of the living body; and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side of the holder body, and the other surface of which is adhered to and electrically connected to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes, and which is electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the opening; It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this invention, an insulating sheet-like holder body supports the plurality of gel sheets spaced apart from one another so that one surfaces of the gel sheets adhere to a plurality of locations on the skin of a living body and the other surfaces adhere to a plurality of bioelectrodes of the bioinformation output device; each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion; the skin-side gel sheet portion is located on the opposite side of the holder body from the bioelectrode, and is adhered to the skin of the living body with the one surface thereof to be electrically connected to the skin; The bioelectrode side gel sheet portion is located on the bioelectrode side of the holder body, and is adhered to each of the multiple bioelectrodes on the other surface to be electrically connected to those bioelectrodes, and is also electrically connected to the skin side gel sheet portion through openings in the holder body corresponding to each of the multiple gel sheets.

[0010] Therefore, according to the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this invention, if the adhesive strength of any one or more of the multiple gel sheets decreases due to long-term use, etc., the multiple gel sheets can be peeled off and removed from the multiple bioelectrodes as a unit by pulling the sheet-shaped holder body away from the multiple bioelectrodes provided on the electrode pad for detecting a biosignal of the bioinformation output device, and then by pressing the multiple gel sheets supported by another holder body against the multiple bioelectrodes of the electrode pad for detecting a biosignal of the bioinformation output device, the multiple gel sheets can be adhered together to the multiple bioelectrodes and electricity can be applied to each of the bioelectrodes.This makes it possible to easily replace the multiple gel sheets, and since it is not necessary to replace the electrode pad for detecting a biosignal having multiple bioelectrodes, the multiple gel sheets can be replaced inexpensively.

[0011] The gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the present invention may further include a protective film that adheres to at least one surface of the plurality of gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, completely covering at least one surface of the gel sheet holder, and that is peeled off when the bioinformation output device is in use. In this way, it is possible to prevent the adhesive strength of the gel sheets from decreasing due to the adhesion of dirt or the like to the surface of the gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use.

[0012] In addition, in the gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of this invention, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets are formed by pressing a single gel sheet adhered to the skin side of the holder main body to push a part of it out of the opening of the holder main body toward the bioelectrode of the holder main body, and the pushed-out part is attached to the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion. minutes In addition, the portion of the holder main body remaining on the skin side may be the skin-side gel sheet portion. In this way, a single gel sheet can constitute both the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion, thereby reducing the number of gel sheets required.

[0013] In the gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode according to the present invention, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets may be two integrated gel sheets that are adhered to the holder main body and to each other via the opening. In this way, the sizes of the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the skin-side gel sheet portion can be freely set to be different from each other, so that the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the bioelectrode with a sufficient area, or the skin-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the skin with a sufficient area, as needed.

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

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a muscle state output device as an example of a bioinformation output device that can use an embodiment of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the housing of the muscle state output device of the above example, removed from the attachment sheet and viewed from the front side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the housing of the muscle state output device of the above example, removed from the attachment sheet and viewed from the back side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the muscle state output device of the above example, with the housing removed from the attachment sheet and the cover of the housing removed, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the muscle state output device of the above example. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the present invention, which is used in the muscle state output device of the above example in place of the attachment sheet, seen from the back side, together with a protective sheet adhered to the back surface. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body of the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the embodiment, which is made of a thin resin plate, nonwoven fabric, or the like, and has openings for a plurality of gel sheets, one for each. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body of the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the embodiment, which is made of a thin resin plate, nonwoven fabric, or the like, and has a plurality of openings for a plurality of gel sheets. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a holder body made of a resin mesh, a wire mesh, or the like, in the gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the embodiment, in which the mesh forms openings. [Figure 10] 1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric, etc., and the gel sheet is a single gel sheet of approximately the same size as the bioelectrode; and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a mesh, and the gel sheet is a single gel sheet of approximately the same size as the bioelectrode. [Figure 11] 1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric, etc., and the gel sheet is a single gel sheet that is larger than the bioelectrode; and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a mesh, and the gel sheet is a single gel sheet that is larger than the bioelectrode. [Figure 12] 1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric, etc., and the gel sheets are made of two gel sheets that are larger than the bioelectrodes; and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a mesh, and the gel sheets are made of two gel sheets that are larger than the bioelectrodes. [Figure 13]1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric, etc., and the gel sheets are made of one gel sheet of approximately the same size as the bioelectrode and one gel sheet larger than the bioelectrode; and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode of the above embodiment, in which the holder body is made of a mesh, and the gel sheets are made of one gel sheet of approximately the same size as the bioelectrode and one gel sheet larger than the bioelectrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0017] This muscle status output device is attached to the skin of a subject, detects myoelectric signals from the skin as biosignals generated in the muscles inside the subject's body in conjunction with body movements, and outputs a status display signal obtained by processing the myoelectric signals.It comprises an attachment sheet 1 made of, for example, a flexible printed wiring board that is elastically deformable and electrically insulating, and an electrode pad for detecting biosignals, which has three bioelectrodes 2, 3 formed, for example, by printed wiring on the back side of the attachment sheet 1 and positioned at both ends and the center of the attachment sheet 1 in the longitudinal direction so as to be spaced apart from each other.Here, the bioelectrodes 2 at both ends of the attachment sheet 1 are, for example, myoelectric detection electrodes, and the bioelectrode 3 at the center of the attachment sheet 1 is, for example, an insensitive electrode.

[0018] The electrode pad for detecting a biosignal of this muscle state output device also comprises three adhesive sheets 4 made of, for example, conductive gel sheets suitable for adhering to the skin of a subject, which are conductive and cover the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 separately; three sheet-side connection parts 5 formed by, for example, printed wiring at the center in the longitudinal direction on the front side of the mounting sheet 1 and positioned at intervals from each other; and three wires formed by, for example, printed wiring at the front side of the mounting sheet 1 and positioned at intervals from each other, which penetrate the mounting sheet 1 at their ends or penetrate the mounting sheet 1 from the sheet-side connection parts 5 (not shown) to connect the three bioelectrodes. The mounting sheet 1 has three connection wires 6 that electrically connect the electrodes 2, 3 to the three sheet-side connection parts 5, respectively, and a housing holder 7 that has two plate-shaped support parts 7a standing on both sides of the longitudinal center of the front side of the mounting sheet 1 and two strip-shaped hooking parts 7b extending inward from the upper ends of the support parts 7a.The housing holder 7 is formed, for example, from a conductive metal plate bent into an approximately C-shape and surrounds the longitudinal center of the mounting sheet 1, and is fixed to the mounting sheet 1 so as to overlap the bioelectrode 3 on the back side thereof, and the bioelectrode 3 is electrically connected to the adhesive sheet 4 via the housing holder 7.

[0019] This muscle state output device further comprises a housing 8 which fits between the support parts 7a of the housing holder 7 so that it can slide on both side surfaces 8a in the longitudinal direction of the mounting sheet 1 along the surface of the mounting sheet 1, and on both side surfaces 8a of this housing 8, a guide groove 8b is formed which extends from one longitudinal end of the housing 8 to the center and fits into the hooking part 7b of the housing holder 7 to guide the sliding of the housing 8, and at the end of the guide groove 8b, a downward-facing recess 8c is provided which can hook onto the hooking part 7b of the housing holder 7 when the housing 8 is slid to a predetermined slide position where the longitudinal center part is located at the longitudinal center part of the mounting sheet 1, as shown in Figure 1.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the back side of the housing 8 is formed into a curved convex shape, for example, from a spring steel plate, and abuts against the three sheet-side connection parts 5 when the housing 8 is positioned at the above-mentioned predetermined slide position, elastically pressing each of these sheet-side connection parts 5 to move the housing 8 away from the surface of the mounting sheet 1 and engaging the hooking part 7b of the housing holder 7 with the downward recessed part 8c at the end of the guide groove 8b, and three housing-side connection parts 9 are provided which are electrically connected to each of these sheet-side connection parts 5. As a result, when the housing 8 is slid to the above-mentioned predetermined slide position with the hooking part 7b of the housing holder 7 fitted into the guide groove 8b of the housing 8, the reaction force of the pressing force of the housing-side connection parts 9 moves the housing 8 away from the surface of the mounting sheet 1, and the recessed part 8c of the guide groove 8b of the housing 8 engages with the hooking part 7b of the housing holder 7, and the housing 8 is positioned and fixed to the mounting sheet 1 at the above-mentioned predetermined slide position.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 with the cover of the housing 8 removed, this muscle state output device further includes a microcomputer housed in the housing 8, which is mounted with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, IC chips such as input / output circuits, and other electronic components on a roughly rectangular printed wiring board, and operates based on a pre-set program, and is electrically connected to each of the three bioelectrodes 2 and 3 on the back side of the attachment sheet 1 via the housing-side connection part 9, the sheet-side connection part 5, and the connection wiring 6, to process myoelectric signals detected by the bioelectrodes 2 and 3 from the skin of a subject (not shown) and output a state display signal indicating the muscle state obtained by the processing. the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10; a rechargeable battery 11, such as a lithium-ion battery, that can be recharged multiple times and is housed within the housing 8 and supplies power to the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10; two charging terminals 12, as shown in FIG. 3, that are provided, for example, on the back side of the housing 8 or elsewhere, so as to be electrically connectable to the rechargeable battery 11 from outside the housing 8; an operation switch 13 that is provided on the front side of the housing 8 and also serves as a power switch and switches the operation of the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10 depending on how it is pressed; an LED lamp 14 that is also provided on the front side of the housing 8 as a pilot lamp that indicates whether the power is on or off; and a small speaker (not shown) mounted on the back side of the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the muscle state output device. In this example, the muscle state output device processes myoelectric signals by amplifying the analog myoelectric signals detected by the bioelectrodes 2 and 3 using an electromyographic amplifier and then converting them into digital signals (A / D), generating a status indication signal by a CPU that indicates the state of muscle tension corresponding to the strength of the myoelectric signal, outputting the status indication signal to a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card and recording it there so that it can be read, and outputting it as a status indication sound from the small speaker and, in addition to or instead of that, outputting it as a status indication light from the LED lamp 14.

[0023] Here, the status indication sound may, for example, increase in frequency, increase in volume, shorten the time interval between intermittent sounds, or a combination of two or more of these, depending on the strength of the myoelectric signal; and the status indication light may, for example, increase the number of emitting light-emitting elements among the multiple light-emitting elements of the LED lamp 14 to increase the light intensity, or change the color of the emitted light by switching the emitting light-emitting elements, or shorten the time interval between flashing light-emitting elements, or a combination of two or more of these, depending on the strength of the myoelectric signal.

[0024] Furthermore, instead of outputting the status indication signal from the small speaker or LED lamp 14, the status indication signal may be transmitted to the mobile phone by radio using a high frequency communication circuit (RF) in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), by operating the operation switch 13, and the signal may be recorded in a readable manner on the mobile phone by a program pre-installed on the mobile phone, and the mobile phone may output either or both of the status indication sound and status indication light.

[0025] The charging terminal 12 may be configured so that it can be connected to a charger by inserting or leaning the housing 8 into a charging holder or charging stand (not shown), as in the case of a normal mobile phone.

[0026] In this muscle state output device, when the attachment sheet 1 is attached to the subject's skin at the myoelectric signal detection position using the three adhesive sheets 4 on its back side, the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 located at intervals from each other on the back side of the attachment sheet 1 detect myoelectric signals from the subject's skin associated with body movement via the conductive adhesive sheets 4, and the connection wiring 6 located at intervals from each other on the front side of the attachment sheet 1 and penetrating the attachment sheet 1 or directly penetrating the attachment sheet 1 transmits the myoelectric signals to three sheet-side connection parts 5 located at intervals from each other in the center of the front side of the attachment sheet 1, and three housing-side connection parts 9 that are electrically connected to the sheet-side connection parts 5 by elastically pressing the sheet-side connection parts 5 transmit the myoelectric signals to the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10 in the housing 8, and the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10 is supplied with power from the rechargeable battery 11 in the housing 8, processes the myoelectric signals, and outputs the status display signal obtained from the processing.

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

[0028] In addition, in this muscle state output device, the housing holder 7 has support parts 7a erected on both sides of the center of the surface side of the attachment sheet 1 and hooking parts 7b extending inward from the upper ends of the support parts 7a, and the housing 8 containing the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10 and the rechargeable battery 11 is fitted between the support parts 7a of the housing holder 7 so as to be slidable along the surface of the attachment sheet 1, and is positioned and fixed to the attachment sheet 1 by hooking onto the hooking parts 7b of the housing holder 7 at a predetermined sliding position, and three housing side connecting parts 9 provided on the back side of the housing 8 elastically press against the three sheet side connecting parts 5 when the housing 8 is positioned at the predetermined sliding position, and the reaction force of this pressing force separates the housing 8 from the surface of the attachment sheet 1 and hooks onto the hooking parts 7b.

[0029] Therefore, with this myoelectric state output device, the housing 8, which is positioned and fixed to the attachment sheet 1, can be pushed toward the attachment sheet 1 to release it from the engagement with the engagement portion 7b of the housing holder 7, and then slid along the surface of the attachment sheet 1, thereby removing it from the engagement state between the support portions 7a of the housing holder 7 and removing it from the attachment sheet 1. In this state, by electrically connecting a charger from outside the housing 8 to the rechargeable battery 11 inside the housing 8 via the charging terminal 12 provided on the housing 8, the rechargeable battery 11 inside the housing 8 can be charged without external force being applied to the attachment sheet 1 from the charger wiring. After charging, the housing 8 can be positioned and fixed to the attachment sheet 1 by performing the reverse operation to the above, which eliminates the hassle of battery replacement and prevents the attachment sheet 1 from being unintentionally peeled off the subject's skin when charging the rechargeable battery 11, making it easier to reuse the attachment sheet 1.

[0030] Furthermore, in this muscle state output device, if the myoelectric signal processing circuit board 10 processes and outputs one or more of an increase in frequency, an increase in volume, and a shortening of the intermittent interval of the status indication sound, and / or one or more of an increase in the light intensity, a change in color, and a shortening of the blinking interval of the status indication light, depending on the strength of the myoelectric signal, the myoelectric signal will become stronger depending on the degree of muscle tension of the subject, and the degree of muscle tension can be easily known by one or more of an increase in frequency, an increase in volume, and a shortening of the intermittent interval of the status indication sound, and / or one or more of an increase in the light intensity, a change in color, and a shortening of the blinking interval of the status indication light, and muscle training, etc. can be performed effectively.

[0031] In addition, in bioinformation output devices that can use the embodiment of the bioelectrode gel sheet holder of the present invention, including the muscle state output device, the attachment sheet 1 may be made to have high rigidity rather than being flexible and elastically deformable depending on the location of use and the state of use, and the housing holder 7 may be eliminated and the attachment sheet 1 may be fixed to the housing 8, or as in the case of a respiratory state output device described later, the attachment sheet (electrode substrate) 1 may be formed integrally with the housing 8 on the back side thereof.

[0032] Next, we will explain, with reference to the drawings, an electrode substrate 1 (which has substantially the same configuration as the attachment sheet and is therefore designated by the same reference numeral) that the muscle state output device of the above example uses in place of the attachment sheet 1 of the electrode pad for detecting a biosignal, and a gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes according to one embodiment of the present invention that is adhered to the electrode substrate 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of the above embodiment as seen from the back, together with a protective film 17 adhered to the back surface of the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes.

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

[0034] In addition, the holder body 15 or 16 may have an adhesive surface made of double-sided adhesive tape 15b or the like between the areas where adjacent gel sheets 4 are adhered, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, in order to increase the adhesive strength of the holder body 15 or 16 to the skin of the subject of the muscle state output device.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the electrode pad for detecting biosignals has three bioelectrodes 2, 3 (two myoelectric detection electrodes 2 and one insensitive electrode 3) that detect biosignals from the skin of a living body at three spaced apart locations, and is equipped with a bendable insulating electrode substrate 1 (having substantially the same configuration as the attachment sheet and therefore indicated by the same reference numeral) that is detachably attached to the housing 8 of the muscle state output device of the above example as the bioinformation output device and connects the bioelectrodes 2, 3 to the muscle state output device, and also includes three independent conductive gel sheets 4 (having substantially the same configuration as the adhesive sheet and therefore indicated by the same reference numeral) that adhere to the skin of the subject when the electrode substrate 1 is curved to fit the skin, thereby conducting electricity to the three bioelectrodes 2, 3, respectively, and further includes, for example, a bendable insulating holder body 15 or 16 that supports the three gel sheets 4 in an adhesive configuration to each of the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 and integrally connects them to each other, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment is provided with a protective film 17 made of, for example, a transparent resin, which is adhered to the same side surfaces of each of the three gel sheets 4 supported by the holder body 15 or 16, thereby entirely covering at least one side of the holder body 15 or 16, and is peeled off when in use.

[0037] In the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the insulating sheet-like holder main body 15 or 16 supports the three gel sheets 4 at a distance from each other so that one side of each gel sheet adheres to three locations on the skin of a living body and the other side adheres to the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 of the bioinformation output device, and each gel sheet 4 has a skin-side gel sheet portion and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion, and the skin-side gel sheet portion is located on the opposite side of the holder main body 15 or 16 from the bioelectrodes 2, 3, and is adhered to the skin of the living body with one side and electrically connected to the skin, and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion is located on the side of the holder main body 15 or 16 on the bioelectrodes 2, 3 side, and is adhered to each of the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 with the other side and electrically connected to the bioelectrodes 2, 3, and is also electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the openings 15a or 16a of the holder main body 15 or 16 corresponding to each of the three gel sheets 4.

[0038] Therefore, according to the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment, if the adhesive strength of any one or more of the three gel sheets 4 decreases due to long-term use, etc., the three gel sheets 4 can be peeled off and removed as a unit from the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 by pulling the sheet-shaped holder body 15 or 16 away from the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 provided on the electrode pad for detecting biosignals of the bioinformation output device. Then, by pressing the three gel sheets 4 supported by another holder body 15 or 16 against the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 of the electrode pad for detecting biosignals of the bioinformation output device, the three gel sheets 4 can be adhered to the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 together and electricity can be applied to each of the bioelectrodes 2, 3. This makes it possible to easily replace the three gel sheets 4. Moreover, since the electrode pad for detecting biosignals having the three bioelectrodes 2, 3 itself does not need to be replaced, the three gel sheets can be replaced inexpensively.

[0039] Furthermore, the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment further comprises one or two protective films 17 that adhere to one or both sides of the three gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, completely covering one or both sides of the gel sheet holder, and are peeled off when the bioinformation output device is in use, thereby preventing the adhesive strength of the gel sheets 4 from decreasing due to the adhesion of dirt and the like to the surface of the gel sheets 4 when the bioinformation output device is not in use.

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

[0041] Furthermore, in the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the three gel sheets are, for example, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a gel sheet 4 adhered to the skin side of the holder main body 15 or 16 is pressed to push a part of it out of the opening 15a or 16a of the holder main body 15 or 16 toward the bioelectrodes 2, 3 of the holder main body 15 or 16, and the pushed-out part is attached to the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion. minutes The portion of the holder main body 15 or 16 remaining on the skin side may be used as the skin-side gel sheet portion. In this way, a single gel sheet 4 can constitute both the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion, thereby reducing the number of gel sheets 4 used.

[0042] 12 and 13, the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the three gel sheets 4 may be two integrated gel sheets 4 that are adhered to the holder main body 15 or 16 and to each other via the openings 15a or 16a. In this way, the sizes of the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion and the skin-side gel sheet portion can be freely set to be different from each other, so that the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the bioelectrodes 2, 3 with a sufficient area as needed, or the skin-side gel sheet portion can be adhered to the skin with a sufficient area as shown in FIG.

[0043] The above has been explained based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the electrode substrate 1 is provided with three bioelectrodes 2, 3 and three gel sheets 4, but instead, the insensitive electrode 3 and the corresponding gel sheet 4 may be omitted and two bioelectrodes 2 and two gel sheets 4 may be provided, or four or more bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 and four or more gel sheets 4 may be provided, or the bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 of the electrode substrate 1 may not be provided with gel sheets 4, and the three gel sheets 4 of the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this embodiment may be directly adhered to the bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3 of the electrode substrate 1 and electrically connected to those bioelectrodes 2 or 2, 3. Furthermore, the bioinformation output device using the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this invention may not be the muscle condition output device described above, but may be an electrocardiograph or the like that detects and processes electrocardiographic signals to output data such as a heart rate or Holter electrocardiogram that indicates the state of cardiac function, or may be a respiratory condition output device that detects and processes electrocardiographic signals from the chest to output data that indicates the respiratory condition of the subject.

[0044] Thus, according to the gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes of this invention, if the adhesive strength of any one or more of the multiple gel sheets decreases due to long-term use, etc., the multiple gel sheets can be peeled off and removed from the multiple bioelectrodes as a unit by pulling the sheet-shaped holder body away from the multiple bioelectrodes provided on the electrode pad for detecting biosignals of the bioinformation output device, and then by pressing the multiple gel sheets supported by another holder body against the multiple bioelectrodes of the electrode pad for detecting biosignals of the bioinformation output device, the multiple gel sheets can be adhered together to the multiple bioelectrodes and electricity can be applied to each of the bioelectrodes.This makes it possible to easily replace the multiple gel sheets, and since the electrode pad for detecting biosignals having the multiple bioelectrodes does not itself need to be replaced, multiple gel sheets can be replaced inexpensively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Electrode substrate (mounting sheet) 2 Bioelectrodes (electromyography electrodes) 3 Bioelectrodes (insensitive electrodes) 4 Gel sheets (adhesive sheets) 5 Seat side connection 6 Connection wiring 7 Housing holder 7a Support part 7b Engagement part 8. Housing 8a side 8b Guide groove 8c Recess 9 Housing side connection part 10. Myoelectric signal processing circuit board 11 Rechargeable battery 12 Charging terminal 13 Operation switch 14 LED lamps 15,16 Holder body (gel sheet holder) 15a,16a opening 15b double-sided adhesive tape 17 Protective film

Claims

1. A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes is provided on an electrode pad for detecting biosignals of a bioinformation output device that electrically processes biosignals to acquire bioinformation and outputs the bioinformation, and is used for a plurality of bioelectrodes that detect biosignals from a plurality of spaced apart locations on the skin of a living body, A plurality of conductive gel sheets; An insulating sheet-like holder body that supports the plurality of gel sheets spaced apart from each other so that one surface of each of the gel sheets adheres to a plurality of locations on the skin of the living body and the other surface adheres to the plurality of bioelectrodes; Equipped with the holder body has openings corresponding to the plurality of gel sheets, Each of the plurality of gel sheets has a skin-side gel sheet portion located on the opposite side of the holder body from the bioelectrode, and one surface of which is adhered to and electrically connected to the skin of the living body, and a bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion located on the bioelectrode side of the holder body, and the other surface of which is adhered to and electrically connected to each of the plurality of bioelectrodes, and which is electrically connected to the skin-side gel sheet portion through the opening, The skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets are two gel sheets that are adhered to the holder body and adhere to each other via the opening and are integrated together. A gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes, characterized by:

2. 2. The gel sheet holder for bioelectrodes according to claim 1, further comprising a protective film that adheres to at least one surface of the plurality of gel sheets when the bioinformation output device is not in use, thereby entirely covering at least one surface of the gel sheet holder, and is peeled off when the bioinformation output device is in use.

3. 2. The gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the skin-side gel sheet portion and the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion of at least one of the plurality of gel sheets are formed by applying pressure to a single gel sheet adhered to the skin side of the holder main body, extruding a portion of the gel sheet from the opening of the holder main body toward the bioelectrode side of the holder main body, the extruded portion being the bioelectrode-side gel sheet portion, and the portion remaining on the skin side of the holder main body being the skin-side gel sheet portion.

4. 2. The gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like holder body is made of a thin resin plate or nonwoven fabric.

5. 2. The gel sheet holder for a bioelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like holder body is made of a resin mesh or a wire mesh whose surface is insulated.

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