Electromyography sensor array

Abstract

To provide a myoelectric sensor array that can reduce the complexity of attachment work.SOLUTION: A myoelectric sensor array includes a plurality of myoelectric sensors, and a plurality of wiring members that electrically connect two myoelectric sensors among the plurality of myoelectric sensors. The plurality of myoelectric sensors each include a substrate, a pair of myoelectric electrodes on the substrate, and a signal processing circuit electrically connected to the pair of myoelectric electrodes and the wiring members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electromyogram sensor array.

Background Art

[0002] When acquiring an electromyogram of a living body, electromyogram electrodes are attached to a plurality of locations on the living body. Each electromyogram electrode is connected to a control device equipped with a monitor or the like via an independent cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a conventional electromyogram electrode, the operation of attaching the electromyogram electrode to a living body is complicated.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electromyogram sensor array capable of alleviating the complexity of the attachment operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electromyogram sensor array including a plurality of electromyogram sensors and a plurality of wiring members that electrically connect two of the plurality of electromyogram sensors to each other. The electromyogram sensor includes a substrate, a pair of electromyogram electrodes provided on the substrate, and a signal processing circuit electrically connected to the pair of electromyogram electrodes and the wiring members. The plurality of electromyography sensors are arranged in a staggered pattern in a first direction along the muscle fiber to which they are attached and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the wiring member extends inclined with respect to the first and second directions, electrically connecting adjacent electromyography sensors that are inclined together, adjacent electromyography sensors in the first direction are connected via other electromyography sensors that are in different positions in the second direction, the distance between adjacent electromyography sensors in the first direction is variable, and adjacent electromyography sensors in the second direction are connected via other electromyography sensors that are in different positions in the first direction, the distance between adjacent electromyography sensors in the second direction is variable. An electromyogram sensor array is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the complexity of the attachment operation can be alleviated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an electromyography sensor array according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates a method of using the electromyography sensor array according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view illustrating an electromyography sensor array according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates a method of using the electromyography sensor array according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant descriptions.

[0010] (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described. The first embodiment relates to an electromyography sensor array. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an electromyography sensor array according to the first embodiment. Figure 1(a) is a plan view, and Figure 1(b) is a cross-sectional view. Figure 1(b) corresponds to a cross-sectional view along the line Ib-Ib in Figure 1(a).

[0011] The electromyography sensor array 1 according to the first embodiment has a plurality of electromyography sensors 10. The electromyography sensors 10 are arranged in a plurality in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction is the direction rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the first direction. The electromyography sensors 10 are arranged in a grid, preferably a square grid. For example, the plurality of electromyography sensors 10 in the first row arranged in a plurality in the first direction and the plurality of electromyography sensors 10 in the second row arranged adjacent to the plurality of electromyography sensors 10 in the first row are located at the same position in the second direction in a plan view. The number of electromyography sensors 10 arranged along the first direction is greater than the number of electromyography sensors 10 arranged along the second direction. Assuming the smallest rectangular region 60 that encloses all of the electromyography sensors 10 in a plan view perpendicular to the first and second directions, two sides 61 of the rectangular region 60 are parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction, and the other two sides 62 are perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the second direction. In other words, in this embodiment, the sides 61 and 62 of the rectangular region 60 are not inclined from the first and second directions.

[0012] The electromyography sensor 10 comprises a substrate 11, a pair of electromyography electrodes 12, an electronic component 13, and a connector 14. For example, the electronic component 13 and the connector 14 are provided on one side of the substrate 11, and the electromyography electrodes 12 are provided on the other side of the substrate 11. The number of electronic components 13 is not limited. The electronic components 13 constitute a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit includes, for example, a filter, a differential amplifier, and a switch. The connector 14 is electrically connected to the electronic components 13, and the flexible wiring board 20, described later, is connected to the connector 14. The electromyography electrodes 12 are electrically connected to the electronic components 13, and the signal processing circuit configured by the electronic components 13 performs signal processing on electrical signals such as current flowing between the pair of electromyography electrodes 12. The electromyography sensor 10 is sometimes called an active electrode.

[0013] The electromyography sensor array 1 has a plurality of flexible wiring boards 20. Each flexible wiring board 20 electrically connects two electromyography sensors 10 to each other. More specifically, some of the flexible wiring boards 20 extend in a first direction and electrically connect two adjacent electromyography sensors 10 in the first direction. Other flexible wiring boards 20 extend in a second direction and electrically connect two adjacent electromyography sensors 10 in the second direction. The flexible wiring boards 20 have, for example, a plurality of flexible resin insulating layers and a metal wiring layer such as copper foil provided between the insulating layers.

[0014] Next, the method of using the electromyography sensor array 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the method of using the electromyography sensor array 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the electromyography (EMG) sensor array 1 is attached to a living body such that the EMG electrodes 12 of each EMG sensor 10 are in contact with the skin. For example, the EMG sensor array 1 is attached to the arm 50 of a person. At this time, the longer side 61 of the rectangular area 60 is positioned to be approximately parallel to the muscle fibers to be measured. The EMG sensor array 1 is connected to the control device 30 by wire or wireless connection. In the case of a wired connection, for example, one or more EMG sensors 10 located closest to side 61 or 62 of the rectangular area 60 are connected to the control device with a cable or the like. In the case of a wireless connection, for example, a wireless transceiver is mounted on one of the EMG sensors 10, or a wireless transceiver is connected to the EMG sensor array 1.

[0016] The myoelectric sensor array 1 is supplied with power from the control device 30 through the flexible wiring board 20. Further, the myoelectric sensor 10 detects an electrical signal generated accompanying the movement of the muscle based on the control by the control device 30 via the myoelectric electrode 12, and outputs it to the control device 30 through the flexible wiring board 20 after passing through signal processing by the signal processing circuit. The output of the electrical signal is performed so as to scan each myoelectric sensor 10, for example, by the operation of a switch included in the signal processing circuit. Thus, the control device 30 can acquire the state of the muscles of the arm 50 using the myoelectric sensor array 1. And the control device 30 can create, for example, an electromyogram.

[0017] According to the present embodiment, since the myoelectric sensor array 1 has a plurality of myoelectric sensors 10 and the myoelectric sensors 10 are connected to each other via the flexible wiring board 20, it is easy to attach to the living body. Also, the same number of cables as the myoelectric sensors 10 are not required between the myoelectric sensor array 1 and the control device 30. Therefore, the connection form between the myoelectric sensor array 1 and the control device 30 can be simplified.

[0018] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment relates to a myoelectric sensor array. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the myoelectric sensor array according to the second embodiment.

[0019] The myoelectric sensor array 2 according to the second embodiment has a plurality of myoelectric sensors 10, similarly to the first embodiment. The myoelectric sensors 10 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the first direction and in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. For example, a plurality of myoelectric sensors 10 in the first row arranged in a plurality in the first direction and a plurality of myoelectric sensors 10 in the second row arranged adjacent to the plurality of myoelectric sensors 10 in the first row and arranged in a plurality are arranged at staggered positions in the second direction in plan view. That is, the plurality of myoelectric sensors 10 are arranged in a zigzag pattern in the first direction and the second direction. For example, the number of myoelectric sensors 10 arranged along the side 61 is larger than the number of myoelectric sensors 10 arranged along the side 62.

[0020] Similar to the myoelectric sensor array 1, the myoelectric sensor array 2 has a plurality of flexible wiring boards 20. Each flexible wiring board 20 electrically connects two myoelectric sensors 10 to each other. More specifically, the flexible wiring board 20 extends at a 45-degree inclination with respect to the first direction and the second direction, and electrically connects two adjacent myoelectric sensors 10 that are inclined at 45 degrees.

[0021] Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0022] Next, a method of using the myoelectric sensor array 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the myoelectric sensor array 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4(a), similar to the first embodiment, the myoelectric sensor array 2 is attached to the human arm 50 such that the side 61, which is the long side of the rectangular region 60, is substantially parallel to the muscle fibers to be measured, and the myoelectric electrodes 12 of each myoelectric sensor 10 contact the skin. Also, the myoelectric sensor array 1 is connected to the control device 30 either wired or wirelessly.

[0024] Similar to the first embodiment, power is supplied to the myoelectric sensor array 1 from the control device 30 through the flexible wiring board 20. Also, based on the control by the control device 30, the myoelectric sensor 10 detects an electrical signal generated accompanying the movement of the muscle via the myoelectric electrode 12, and outputs it to the control device 30 through the flexible wiring board 20 after passing through signal processing by the signal processing circuit.

[0025] The second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0026] Furthermore, even if the muscle moves during measurement using the electromyography sensor array 2, the electromyography sensor array 2 is easily deformed in accordance with the muscle movement. For example, when a muscle tries to stretch, the skin also tries to stretch in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers. At this time, stress acts on the electromyography sensor 10 and the flexible wiring board 20, but the magnitude of this stress is small, and the electromyography sensor 10 and the flexible wiring board 20 do not deform substantially. However, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(b), the electromyography sensor array 2 deforms so that the flexible wiring board 20 is parallel to the muscle fibers, and the electromyography sensor array 2 also stretches in a direction parallel to the muscle fibers and contracts in a direction perpendicular to this direction. Thus, according to the second embodiment, excellent contractility can be obtained for the electromyography sensor array 2.

[0027] In the second embodiment, the angles of inclination from the first and second directions in which the flexible wiring board 20 extends are not limited to 45 degrees, but are preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

[0028] In both the first and second embodiments, the longer side 61 of the rectangular area 60 of the method of use is positioned approximately parallel to the muscle fibers to be measured, but the shorter side 62 may also be positioned approximately parallel to the muscle fibers to be measured. Furthermore, the electromyography sensor array 1 or 2 may be attached so as to surround the entire circumference of the arm 50. Alternatively, the electromyography sensor array 1 or 2 may be configured in a cylindrical shape, like a supporter, so as to surround the entire circumference of the arm 50. When the electromyography sensor array 2 is configured in a cylindrical shape, the direction in which the electromyography sensors 10 are arranged and the direction in which the flexible wiring board 20 extends are inclined from the axis of the cylinder.

[0029] A cable may be used instead of the flexible wiring board 20 as the wiring component.

[0030] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1, 2 Electromyography Sensor Arrays 10. Electromyography Sensors 11 circuit boards 12 electromyographic electrodes 13 Electronic Components 14 connectors 20 Flexible Wiring Boards 30 Control device 50 Arm 60 rectangular area 61, 62 sides

Claims

1. Multiple electromyography sensors, Multiple wiring members that electrically connect two of the multiple electromyography sensors, It has, The aforementioned electromyography sensor is circuit board and A pair of electromyographic electrodes provided on the substrate, A signal processing circuit electrically connected to the pair of electromyographic electrodes and the wiring member, It has, Multiple electromyography sensors are arranged in a staggered pattern in a first direction along the muscle fiber to which they are attached and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The wiring member extends inclined with respect to the first and second directions, and electrically connects the adjacent electromyography sensors that are inclined toward each other. The electromyography sensors adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected via other electromyography sensors located at different positions in the second direction. The distance between adjacent electromyography sensors in the first direction is variable, The electromyography sensors adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected via other electromyography sensors that are located in different positions in the first direction. An electromyography sensor array in which the distance between adjacent electromyography sensors in the second direction is variable.

2. The electromyography sensor array according to claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination is 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less from the first direction.

3. The electromyography sensor array according to claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination is 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less from the first direction.

4. The electromyography sensor array according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wiring member is a flexible wiring board or a cable.

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