Touch-proof electrode connection for a biometric belt connector

Abstract

A touch-proof electrode connector for a biosensor, such as a belt connector, is provided for selectively connecting a conductor of an electrode belt to an electrode of a biometric device. The biometric device includes a snap connector and an electrode, and the snap connector has a male snap protrusion for housing the electrode. The electrode is concealed from direct human touch.

Description

TOUCH-PROOF ELECTRODE CONNECTION FOR A BIOMETRIC BELTCONNECTOR

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 556,172 filed on February 21, 2024, and entitled “TOUCHPROOF ELECTRODE CONNECTION FOR A BIOMETRIC BELT CONNECTOR” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure is within the field of medical devices, in particular biometric devices for measuring biosignals, and relates particularly to electrodes for such devices and in particular electrode belts and connectors for such belts.

[0005] RELATED ART

[0006] Electrode belts and sensors are known, both for direct contact galvanic electrodes used to measure cardiography signals and inductive belts used in respiratory inductive plethysmography. Such belts have various types of connectors, for transmitting the received signal to the respective device. Exemplary devices for measuring biosignals (e.g., Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography (“RIP”)) are described in U.S. Patent No. 11,602,282, granted on March 14, 2023, U.S. Patent No. 10,869,619, granted on December 22, 2020, and U.S. Patent No. 10,548,497, granted on February 4, 2020. The devices and methods described in these patents are made commercially available by Nox Medical.

[0007] Biosignals captured using such devices provide accurate readings that can distinguish between central and obstructive sleep apnea. The recorded biosignals are extremely sensitive to (e.g., respiratory) movements.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] While known biosensor devices, such as those made available by Nox Medical, provide reliable results, the inventors of the present disclosure have found that inadvertent contact with the electrode may still occur and may be problematic. The inventors of the present disclosure found that accidental contact of the electrode can affect signal accuracy and result in less than ideal biosignal recordings and imprecise diagnostic reports. Such contact may also be harmful to the device itself. For example, the inventors of the presentdisclosure have found that inadvertent contact with the electrode can result short circuiting of the device. Further, the existing electrode belts feature male snap portions made of electrically conductive material that are entirely exposed, which creates issues of patient safety, increased manufacturing costs, and short circuitry. Moreover, the inventors of the present disclosure have also found that a perceived possibility of contacting conductor material on a known electrode can cause users or medical practitioners to feel uneasy, anxious, or uncomfortable. The inventors therefore identified a need for biosensor connectors, such as biosensor belt connectors, that are reliable and easy to use. Furthermore, due to the sensitive signal measured by an electrode belt, the inventors recognized a need for a protected, low-resistance electrical connection between the conductor within the sensor (e.g., belt) and the electrical connector of a mating biometric device.

[0010] The present disclosed describes a new type of snap connection the prevents direct human touch to an electrically conductive material part. The disclosed solution avoids accidental contact of the electrode and provides a safer, more affordable option to interface with RIP belts. The electrically conductive material is selectively exposed in predetermined areas to connect with wire in the belt connector.

[0011] A device is provided for establishing a touch-proof electrode connection for a biometric sensor. Although a belt connector, such as a RIP belt connector, is described herein as an examplary embodiment or the corresponding component to which the touch-proof electrode connection is configured to be coupled to, the touch-proof electrode disclosed herein is not limited to being connected to belt connector, but can be configured to be connector to many other biosensor devices that require a snap connection to a protruding, male snap electrode.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a snap connector, an electrode (or contact sheet), a covering, and a printed circuit board assembly. The snap connector forms a male snap protrusion for housing the electrode, and the electrode is concealed from direct human touch. The printed circuit board assembly is connected to the electrode, housed within the snap connector and the covering, and arranged to record biosignals.

[0013] The male snap protrusion defines a hole along a first axis to receive means for establishing a connection between the electrode and the printed circuit board assembly. 4. The means for establishing the connection between the electrode and the printed circuit board assembly may be a pin or a spring.

[0014] The male snap protrusion defines a slot for receiving the electrode, wherein the slot defines a pocket to engage with a projection of the electrode. The male snap protrusion also defines an aligning or supporting ridge that laterally extends from a shaft of the male snap protrusion, the supporting ridge being configured to receive the biometric belt connector.

[0015] The male snap protrusion defines a shaft that extends perpendicular from the surface of snap connector. The shaft has a lateral surface formed between an underside bevel and a top bevel. In an embodiment, the lateral surface of the shaft is configured to prevent objects having a greater than or equal to 12 mm contact diameter from touching the electrode. The male snap protrusion may also at least one notch on a distal top surface to impart flexibility into the male snap protrusion.

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood regarding the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to provide a better understanding of the components thereof, and are not intended to be limiting in scope, but to provide exemplary illustrations. The figures illustrate exemplary configurations of a biometric device, and in no way limit the structures or configurations according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 1A illustrates an example of respiratory inductance plethysmograph (RIP) belt system.

[0020] Fig. IB illustrates an example of a connector assembly for a RIP belt system.

[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a biometric device having a snap connector for a RIP belt.

[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates side view of a snap connector piece.

[0023] Fig. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a snap connector piece.

[0024] Fig. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a snap connector piece.

[0025] Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the biometric device having two different means for establishing electrode connection.

[0026] Fig. 7A illustrates a pin for use in establishing an electrode connection.

[0027] Fig. 7B illustrates a spring for use in establishing an electrode connection.

[0028] Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a male snap protrusion of the snap connector piece.

[0029] Fig. 9 illustrates a top section view of the male snap protrusion in Fig. 8.

[0030] Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the male projection with a standardized test finger.

[0031] Fig. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the biometric device with a flat cable.

[0032] Fig. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the biometric device according to Fig. 11.

[0033] DEFINITIONS

[0034] The term ‘processor’ refers to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions, and includes personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and the like.

[0035] The term ‘touch-proof’ generally refers to the electrode (or contact sheet) being selectively exposed in one or more predetermined areas to avoid or prevent direct contact with the human body and instead to connect with a conductor in the belt connector. In other words, a touch-proof electrode refers to an electrode that is concealed, limited, or otherwise prevented from direct human touch by the disclosed snap connector.

[0036] Note that ordinal numbers such as first and second are used for convenience and do not indicate a unique name as an item for specifying the solution in this specification

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The disclosed biometric device features a novel projecting, male-type snap connector that has a non-conducting material on the most distal end of the connector, and a conducting material in a recessed area of the connector. This arrangement protects the male snap connector from being touched by a consumer.

[0039] Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP) is used to measure respiratory related areal changes. As shown in Figs. 1A, the RIP system 10 includes stretchable belts 34, 35 that may contain one or more conductors 41 (e.g., wires). When the belts 34, 35 are put on a subject 33, they form a conductive loop that creates an inductance that is directly proportional to the absolute cross-sectional area of the body part that is encircled by the loop. When such abelt 34, 35 is placed around the abdomen or thorax, the cross-sectional area is modulated with the respiratory movements and therefore also the inductance of the belt. Using connector assemblies 39, 40, conductors 41 of the belts 34, 35 may be connected to one or more processors 38 by leads 36, 37. The processor 38 may include a memory storage. By measuring the belt inductance, a value is obtained that is modulated directly proportional with the respiratory movements. The RIP system 10 may include and obtain an inductance measurement of conductive belts 34, 35 that encircle the thorax and abdomen of a subject.

[0040] Fig. IB illustrates the connector assembly 39 for establishing a connection between the conductor 41 and lead 36. The belt 34 features one or more belt connectors 42, 43 that are configured to attach to a biometric device 44. Such belt connectors are described in U.S. 10,141,675, granted on November 27, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference. The biometric device 44 is communicatively connected to the processor 38 by the lead 36.

[0041] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary biometric device 44 as biometric device 100. The biometric device 100 comprises a snap connector 102, cable 103, and covering 104. The snap connector 102 is made on non-conductive material. The non-conductive material of the snap connector 102 may be a non-conductive plastic such as, but not limited to, polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), nylon, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate, acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) , polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane, polystyrene, one or more non-conductive polymers, or any combinations thereof.

[0042] The snap connector 102 may be made from one single piece which can be economically manufactured in order to function as a single-use consumable, to be used with a corresponding biometric device 100. In an embodiment, the snap connector 102 is formed as a monolithic piece. The snap connector 102 is arranged to interface with a belt connector device and, as will be explained in greater detail below, prevents direct touch of the user to a conductive metal part of a RIP connector assembly. The cable 103 connects to internal components (e.g., printed circuit board assembly) within the biometric device 100 and further connects to a processor for transmitting inductance measurement information. The covering 104 connects to the snap connector 102, and both are configured to contain and protect the internal components of the biometric device 100.

[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the snap connector 102. The snap connector 102 comprises an engaging surface 106 and a fixed surface 108. The fixed surface 108 connectsto the covering 104 and secures internal components therebetween. The engaging surface 106 is arranged to connect with the belt connectors and may be arranged as a moving tool half of the snap connector 102. The snap connector 102 comprises at least one male snap protrusion 110, 112 configured to snap or interlock with a female receiving hole of a belt connector. For example, the belt connector may comprise a plastic or a molded plastic frame having a front side and a rear side. The frame may have a receiving hole which has radial flexibility to function as a female snap button fastener to receive and fasten, on the front side of the frame, a male snap protrusion 110. One skilled in the art will understand that reference to a first male snap protrusion 110 may also apply to a second male snap protrusion 112, and that the disclosure is not limited to just two male snap protrusions, i.e., the snap connector 102 may comprise multiple snap protrusions. The male snap protrusion 110 is configured to house an electrode (e.g., contact surface 138) and conceal the same from direct human touch.

[0044] In an embodiment, the snap connector 102 comprises a central rib 114 defined on the engaging surface 106 formed between first and second male snap protrusions 110, 112. In an embodiment, the central rib 114 runs perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the snap connector 102. The central rib 114 may align with a frame of the belt connector. The male snap protrusions 110, 112 preferably include an aligning or supporting ridge 116, 118. The supporting ridge 116 is integrally formed with the male snap protrusion 110. The supporting ridge 116 radially projects from the male snap protrusion 110 along the engaging surface 106. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting ridge 116 runs parallel to a lengthwise direction of the snap connector 102. The supporting ridge 116 may be configured to engage with an aperture of the belt connector, wherein the supporting ridge 116 defines a tenon and the aperture of the belt connector defines a mortise. In an embodiment, the supporting ridge 116 has a thickness (i.e., being perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the snap connector 102) between 1mm and 3mm.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the snap connector 102 having a plurality of grooves 120, 122. The snap connector 102 may be formed by injection molding and the grooves 120, 122 may be formed by an injection molding device (not shown) having sliders that taper in width toward the middle of the snap connector 102. The formation of such grooves 120, 122 may aid in the release of the snap connector 102 from the injection molding device to simplify manufacturing.

[0046] Fig. 5 illustrates the snap connector 102 having first and second holes 124, 126 having first and second axes Al, A2. The holes 124, 126 are coaxial with the male snap protrusions110, 112. In an embodiment, formation of the central rib 114 results in an internal groove 128 of the snap connector 102. The fixed surface 108 of the snap connector 102 defines a periphery 130 corresponding to a border 170 of the covering 104.

[0047] Fig. 6 depicts the relationship between the snap connector 102, covering 104, and internal electronic circuitry 132 of the biometric device 100, which may include, for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The biometric device 100 is depicted as having two different means for establishing electrode connection. However, such means may be interchanged with each other or known equivalents. As depicted, the first male snap protrusion 110 features a pin 134 of electrically conductive material (e.g., brass, copper, aluminum, steel, gold, or other metals or metal alloys, or even non-metal electrically conducting materials). The pin 134 is disposed within the first male snap protrusion 110 and communicatively connected to the PCBA 132 and a touch-proof contact sheet 138. The contact sheet 138 is formed of conductive material and is protected, by the male snap protrusion, against direct touch of the subject to a conductive metal part of the contact sheet 138. The contact sheet 138 may be defined as a snap connector electrode. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact sheet 138 is gold plated. The contact sheet 138 is arranged to contact a conductor of a corresponding contact belt for measuring biosignals. The pin 134 provides a stable electrical contact between the PCBA 132 and the contact sheet 138. The PCBA 132 is configured to record biosignals.

[0048] As depicted, the second male snap protrusion 112 comprises a spring 136 of electrically conductive material (e.g., brass, copper, aluminum, steel, gold, or other metals or metal alloys, or even non-metal electrically conducting materials). The spring 136 is disposed within the second male snap protrusion 112 and communicatively connected to the PCBA 132 and a contact sheet 138. The contact sheet 138 is arranged to contact a conductor of a corresponding contact belt for measuring biosignals. The spring 136 provides a flexible, low- cost solution for contact between the PCBA 132 and contact sheet 138. When outer force (e.g., external pressure) is applied to the snap connector 102, such force is not transferred to the PCBA 132, thereby maintaining electronic integrity.

[0049] Figs. 7A-7B illustrate views of the pin 134 and spring 136. In an embodiment, the pin 134 comprises one or more flanges 142 for securing within the biometric device 100 and preventing dislodgement. In an embodiment, the spring 136 is depicted as a compression spring. The spring may also be configured as an extension or conical spring.

[0050] Fig. 8 provides a detailed view of the male snap protrusion 110 and contact sheet 138. The male snap protrusion 110 is electrically connected to the internal electrical leads of the biometric device 100 by means of a conductive contact sheet 138. The snap connector 102 may include a male snap base 144 from which the male snap protrusion 110 extends. The base 144 may conically extend toward a cylindrically shaped protrusion shaft 146 that extends perpendicular or nearly perpendicularly from the surface of snap connector 102. The shaft forms a slot 148, which is perpendicular to the hole 124 (or first taxis Al) and configured to receive the contact sheet 138. The slot 148 allows the contact sheet 138 to be exposed for contact with a conductor in one or more predetermined areas. The shaft 146 may have a lateral surface 150 formed between an underside bevel 152 and a top bevel 154. On a distal end of the shaft 146, the cross-sectional diameter of the male snap protrusion 110 may enlarge at the underside bevel 152, forming a bulged portion at the distal end of the male snap protrusion 110. The underside bevel 152 may extend to the lateral surface 150 of the bulged portion, the lateral surface 150 having a cylindrical shape with a cross-sectional diameter greater than the shaft 146. The bulged portion may further have a top bevel 154 where the cross-sectional diameter reduces. A top surface 156 is formed adjacent to the upper edge of the top bevel 154. The male snap protrusion 110 includes at least one notch 158 formed along the top bevel. The notches 158 impart flexibility, in addition to the non-conductive material of the snap connector 102, to the male snap protrusion 110 to enable a streamlined connection with a belt connector. The male snap protrusion 110 further includes at least one curvilinear slope 160 (e.g., between two notches 158) that descends toward the hole 124 and slot 148. The curvilinear slope 160 also imparts greater flexibility to the male snap protrusion 110.

[0051] Fig. 9 depicts a relationship between the contact sheet 138 and male snap protrusion 110. The contact sheet 138 is disposed within a slot 148 of the male snap protrusion 110. In an embodiment, the contact sheet 138 is held in place within the male snap protrusion 110 by at least one lateral projection 162 extending from the sides of the contact sheet 138 to interlock with a lateral pocket 164 formed within the slot 148 of the male snap protrusion 110. The contact sheet 138 includes a wire interfacing portion 166 that is selectively exposed in one or more predetermined areas to interface with wire in a belt connector. In an alternative embodiment, the contact sheet 138 may include a lateral pocket 164 and the slot 148 may form a lateral projection 162. In an embodiment, the contact sheet 138 may be offset (e.g., 0.1mm) to partially extend outside the diameter of the shaft 146 to stabilize electrical connection.

[0052] Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the male snap protrusion 110 assessed with a curvature standardized test finger or test probe 168. The disclosed contact sheet 138 is protected against access with the finger, or rather a test probe 168 of greater than or equal to 12 mm diameter, by the male snap connector 110. The test probe 168 has the same curvature as the standardized (e.g., European) test finger, demonstrating that the finger can't reach the wire or conductor interfacing portion 166 of the contact sheet 138. Due to the concavity in which the electrode is placed, which has a shorter radius of curvature than the test probe 168, the contact sheet 138 (i.e., electrode) is concealed from direct human touch, or in other words, the male snap connector provides protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects from contacting the contact portion 166 of the connector 110 and simultaneously provides protection of person against access to hazardous parts by preventing or limiting the ingress of a part of the human body or an object held by a person. In other words, the male snap connector selectively conceals the electrode. The wire interfacing portion 166 is part of the receiving conductor and is strategically exposed in the areas to be to meet with the wire in the belt connector while preventing accidental electrode contact.

[0053] Figs. 11 and 12 depict the biometric device 100 having a flat cable 103 connected to the PCBA 132 between the snap connector 102 and the covering 104. The snap connector 102 and the covering 104 may be sealed together by ultrasonic welding at the periphery 130 of the snap connector 102 and the border 170 of the covering 104. Such a configuration may conform with certain jurisdictional compliance regulations.

[0054] Although a belt connector, such as a RIP belt connector, is described herein as an examplary embodiment or the corresponding biosensor component to which the touch-proof electrode connection is configured to be coupled to, the touch-proof electrode disclosed herein is not limited to being connected to belt connector, but can be configured to be connector to many other biosensor devices that require a snap connection to a protruding, male snap electrode. Other examples of biosensors to which the touch-proof electrode may be configured to may include, but is not limited to a electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor, continuous glucose monitoring sensor, electroencephalography (EEG), heart rate or pulse sensor, oximeter or SpO2 sensor, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, temperature sensor, blood pressure sensor, respiration sensor, flow sensor, or any other electrical biosensors or sensor that outputs an electrical signal that is configured to obtain a data from or relating to a patient or subject.

[0055] It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved under any embodiment of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that biometric devices may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without achieving other objects or advantages as taught or suggested herein.

[0056] The skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various disclosed features. Besides the variations described herein, other known equivalents for each feature can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to build and use biometric devices under principles of the present disclosure. It will be understood by the skilled artisan that the features described herein may be adapted to other methods and types of biometric devices / applications .

[0057] It is intended that the present disclosure should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments described above and may be extended to other applications that may employ the features described herein.

[0058] List of PartsNo. Element10 System33 User34 Belt35 Belt36 Lead37 Lead38 Processor(s)39 Connector assembly40 Connector assembly41 Conductor42 Belt connector43 Belt connector44 Biometric device100 Biometric device102 Snap connector103 Flat cable104 Covering106 Engaging surface108 Fixed surface110 First male protrusion112 Second male protrusion114 Central rib116 Supporting ridge118 Supporting ridge120 Groove122 Groove124 Hole126 Hole128 Internal groove130 Periphery132 PCBA134 Pin136 Spring138 Contact sheet140 Contact sheet142 Flange144 Base146 Shaft148 Slot150 Lateral surface152 Underside bevel154 Top bevel156 Top surface 158 Notch160 Curvilinear slope162 Projection164 Pocket166 Wire interfacing portion 168 Curvature test probe170 Border

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (100) having a touch-proof electrode connector for a biosensor, the device (100) comprising: a non-conductive snap connector (102); and an electrode (138); wherein the snap connector (102) forms a male snap protrusion (110) for housing the electrode (138), and wherein the electrode (138) is selectively exposed in one or more predetermined areas to limit or prevent direct contact with the human body and to connect with a conductor of the biosensor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: a covering (104); and a printed circuit board assembly (132) for recording biosignals, the printed circuit board assembly (132) being connected to the electrode (138) and housed within the snap connector (102) and the covering (104).

3. The device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the male snap protrusion defines a hole along a first axis to receive means (134, 136) for establishing a connection between the electrode (138) and the printed circuit board assembly (132).

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the means for establishing the connection between the electrode (138) and the printed circuit board assembly (132) is a pin (134).

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the means for establishing the connection between the electrode (138) and the printed circuit board assembly (132) is a spring (136).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the male snap protrusion (110) defines a slot (148) for receiving the electrode (138).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the slot (148) defines a pocket (164) to engage with a projection (162) of the electrode (138).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the male snap protrusion (110) defines a supporting ridge (116) laterally extending from a shaft (146) of the male snap protrusion (110) to receive the biosensor.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the male snap protrusion (110) defines a shaft (146) that extends perpendicular from the surface of snap connector (102), the shaft (146) having a lateral surface (150) formed between an underside bevel (152) and a top bevel (154).

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the lateral surface (150) of the shaft (146) is configured to prevent objects having a greater than or equal to 12 mm contact diameter from touching the electrode (138).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the male snap protrusion (110) includes at least one notch (158) on a distal top surface (156).

12. The device according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the touch-proof electrode connection of the device (100) is configured to be connected to a biometric belt connector as the biosensor.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the snap electrode (102) is made of polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), nylon, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate, acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) , polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane, polystyrene, plastic, or one or more non-conductive polymers, or any combinations thereof.

14. A method or limiting or preventing contact by a finger or foreign object against a contact surface of a snap electrode by providing the device according to any one of claims 1-11.

15. A method of manufacturing a device according to any one of claims 1-11, the method comprising: providing a non-conductive snap connector (102); and providing an electrode (138); wherein the snap connector (102) is arranged to form a male snap protrusion (110) for housing the electrode (138); and wherein the electrode (138) is selectively exposed in one or more predetermined areas to limit or prevent direct contact with the human body and to connect with a conductor of the biosensor.

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