Biological information measurement device

The detachable band cover and protruding electrodes in the biological information measuring device address issues of wearability and hygiene by facilitating easy cleaning and replacement, enhancing device usability and comfort.

WO2025182170A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-09-04OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2024/040417
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-02-28
Filing Date
2024-11-14
Publication Date
2025-09-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Wearable biometric information measuring devices with electrodes on a band cause stuffiness and rashes due to skin contact substances, and the band is difficult to clean, affecting comfort and hygiene.

Method used

A biological information measuring device with a detachable band cover made of a non-conductive material that covers the electrodes, allowing easy replacement and maintenance, and electrodes with convex portions that protrude through openings in the cover for secure attachment and detachment.

Benefits of technology

The device maintains cleanliness and comfort by enabling easy cleaning and replacement of the band cover, reducing stuffiness and rashes, and improving maintainability and wearability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This biological information measurement device is used while worn on a human body. The biological information measurement device comprises: a body housing; a band part that has a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon and allows the body housing to be worn on the human body; and a detachable band cover that is formed of a non-conductive material and is configured so as to be capable of covering at least a contact surface on a side of the band part that comes into contact with the human body. The electrodes have protruding parts that are provided so as to protrude from the contact surface of the band part. The band cover is provided with a plurality of opening parts that are provided so as to allow the protruding parts of the electrodes to protrude therethrough. The electrodes and the opening parts are configured such that, when the band part is covered by the band cover, the opening parts are covered by the protruding parts of the electrodes.
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Description

Biological information measuring device

[0001] The present invention relates to a healthcare-related technical field, and more particularly to a biological information measuring device.

[0002] It has become common for individuals to routinely measure information about their own physical and health (hereinafter also referred to as biometric information), such as blood pressure values ​​and electrocardiogram waveforms, using measuring devices and utilizing the measurement results for health management. In particular, in recent years, there has been an increasing need for early detection of diseases and appropriate treatment by constantly wearing measuring devices on the body in daily life and continuously acquiring biometric information, and many devices that meet such needs have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a wearable biometric information measuring device equipped with electrocardiogram electrodes and capable of measuring electrocardiogram waveforms. The biometric information measuring device described in Patent Literature 1 has a belt-shaped band extending longitudinally (circumferentially around the wrist) and a main body attached to the band, with multiple electrodes arranged on both the band and the main body. This makes it possible to constantly detect biometric information such as heart rate and electrocardiogram signals (while the device is in operation) simply by wearing the device on one arm.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-141955

[0005] However, in a structure in which the electrodes that come into contact with the skin of a living body are held on the surface of a band, as in the device described in Patent Document 1, wearing the device for a long period of time can easily cause stuffiness and rashes due to substances derived from the body (sweat, keratin, etc.). Furthermore, because the electrodes are located on the band, the band cannot be easily washed, which poses issues from the perspective of comfort (and hygiene) when worn.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a technology that can improve the wearability and maintainability of a wearable biometric information measurement device that has electrodes in a band portion.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the biological information measuring device according to the present invention employs the following configuration: That is, a biological information measuring device used by being worn on a human body, comprising: a main body housing, a band portion on which a plurality of electrodes are arranged and for wearing the main body housing on the human body, and a detachable band cover formed of a non-conductive material and configured to be able to cover at least the contact surface of the band portion that comes into contact with the human body, wherein the electrodes have convex portions that are provided to protrude from the contact surface of the band portion, and the band cover has a plurality of openings through which the convex portions of the electrodes can protrude, and the electrodes and the openings are configured so that the openings are covered by the convex portions of the electrodes when the band cover covers the band portion.

[0008] With the above-described configuration, the cleanliness of the part that constantly comes into contact with the living body can be easily maintained by simply replacing the band cover. Furthermore, cleaning can be completed simply by attaching and detaching the band cover, which improves the maintainability of the device and increases the operating time of the device (the time for measuring biological information).

[0009] In addition, because the band cover comes into contact with the skin surface of the living body when in use, the material of the band cover can be devised (i.e., regardless of the material of the band) to prevent stuffiness and rashes when wearing the device. Furthermore, because the band cover can be designed in a variety of ways, the cover can be easily replaced according to the time, place, and occasion.

[0010] The electrode may also be configured so that the protrusion is detachable from the band. Specifically, for example, the band may have a base connected to a signal line, and the protrusion, configured to protrude from the contact surface between the band and the skin of the living body, may be fitted to the base in the manner of a snap button, thereby enabling attachment and detachment. Alternatively, at least one of the protrusion or base of the electrode may be formed of a magnet, and the electrodes may be attached and detached by magnetic attraction. This configuration allows the electrodes as well as the band cover to be replaced, further improving the maintainability of the device.

[0011] Furthermore, when the band portion is covered with the band cover, the band cover may be fixed by sandwiching at least the peripheral edge of the opening between the protrusion of the electrode and the contact surface. That is, by sandwiching the band cover between the contact surface of the band and the protrusion of the electrode (the end of the protrusion on the contact surface side), the position of the opening of the band cover may be prevented from shifting.

[0012] With this configuration, the convex portion of the electrode can be assembled after the band cover is attached to the band, making attachment easy, and by assembling the convex portion in this manner, it is also possible to prevent the opening of the band cover from shifting out of position.

[0013] In addition, the band cover may be formed from an elastic material, and the electrode and the opening may be configured so that the opening is covered by the convex portion of the electrode even when the opening is expanded to its maximum extent due to the elasticity.

[0014] If the band cover is made of a stretchable material, the opening will expand when a pulling force is applied to the band cover. In this case, if the opening expands to a size larger than the diameter of the electrode's protrusion, the opening in the band cover may shift position and cover the electrode. In this regard, by reducing the size of the opening or using a material that is not highly stretchable, the diameter of the opening, even when expanded to its maximum extent, can be configured to be smaller than the diameter of the electrode's protrusion, thereby preventing the electrode from coming off the opening even without the electrode pressing down on the periphery of the opening.

[0015] The protrusion of the electrode may have an elastic member at a base end portion of the outer periphery in a plan view, and when the band portion is covered with the band cover, friction with the elastic member restricts movement of the peripheral edge of the opening, thereby fixing the band cover in place. The elastic member may be made of, for example, a resin such as rubber.

[0016] With this configuration, even if the force clamping the band cover between the convex portion of the electrode and the contact surface of the band is weak, the frictional force of the elastic member can prevent the opening of the band cover from shifting position.

[0017] The band may have a plurality of conductive mating portions that mate with the protruding portions, the protruding portions of the electrodes being detachable from the mating portions, and a plurality of signal lines electrically connecting a corresponding mating portion to the main body housing may be arranged within the band, each of the signal lines being arranged so as to avoid the other mating portions. That is, the electrodes on the band may be composed of mating portions and protruding portions arranged on the band. This allows the protruding portions (i.e., the portions that come into contact with the living body) of the multiple electrodes on the band to be easily replaced, resulting in high maintainability. Furthermore, at least the mating portions may have a magnetic force, and the mating portions and the protruding portions may be fixed by the magnetic force.

[0018] Furthermore, the protrusions of the electrodes may be configured to be detachable from any of the multiple fitting portions, and the arrangement and / or number of the electrodes may be changed by providing fitting portions to which the protrusions are not fitted. That is, the band may be configured to have more fitting portions than the number of electrodes actually used to measure biological information. This configuration allows the electrode arrangement to be easily changed according to individual differences in the size of the attachment site (e.g., arm circumference), thereby providing a highly convenient device. After determining the electrode arrangement, a band cover whose openings are aligned with the electrode protrusions can be used to cover the fitting portions to which the protrusions are not fitted.

[0019] The fitting portion may be configured to be slidable, and the arrangement of the electrodes may be changed by sliding the fitting portion. Even with this configuration, the arrangement of the electrodes can be easily changed.

[0020] The band cover may also be configured to have an adhesive surface on the side that comes into contact with the contact surface. With this configuration, the band cover does not need to be formed into a cylindrical or bag-like shape to cover both sides of the band, and can be used by attaching it only to the contact surface. Furthermore, by configuring the adhesive surface to be washable with water using a gel sheet or the like, repeated use becomes possible.

[0021] The present invention can be achieved by combining the above-described configurations together as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that can improve the ease of wearing and maintenance of a wearable biological information measuring device that has electrodes on a band portion.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the biological information measuring device according to an embodiment with a band cover removed. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an outline of the inner circumferential surface of a band portion of the biological information measuring device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A is a first schematic diagram showing the structure of electrodes according to an embodiment and their arrangement on a fixing band. FIG. 3B is a second schematic diagram showing the structure of electrodes according to an embodiment and their arrangement on a fixing band. FIG. 4A is a first schematic plan view showing the configuration of a band cover according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B is a second schematic plan view showing the configuration of a band cover according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a biological information measuring device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between electrodes and a band cover according to a first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between electrodes and a band cover according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of electrodes according to a third modification of the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a band portion and electrodes according to a fourth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a band portion and electrodes according to a fifth modification of the embodiment.

[0024] <Embodiments> Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0025] (Overall configuration of the device) Figures 1, 2A, and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the bioinformation measuring device 1 in embodiment 1, where Figure 1 shows an external oblique view of the bioinformation measuring device 1, Figure 2A is an external oblique view of the bioinformation measuring device 1 with the band cover 40 described below removed, and Figure 2B shows an outline of the inner surface (the surface that comes into contact with the skin surface; hereinafter, also referred to as the "contact surface") of the band portion 20 of the bioinformation measuring device 1 with the band cover removed.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, the biological information measuring device 1 is generally configured to have a main body part 10 including a main body housing 11, an LED indicator 12, operation buttons 13, a pulse wave sensor 14, a control unit 110, etc., a band part 20 including a fixing band 21, a band loop 22 and a plurality of electrodes 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, and a band cover 40 configured to be detachable from the band part 20.

[0027] Although not shown, the fixing band 21 is provided with a hook and loop fastener portion, and by passing one end of the fixing band 21 through the band loop 22 and then folding it back to engage the hook and loop fastener, the fixing band 21 can be made into a ring shape and fixed to the attachment location.

[0028] 3A and 3B, the configuration of electrodes 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, and 30f of the biological information measuring device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Note that, hereinafter, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the electrodes, the electrodes will be described as electrode 30. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the structure of electrode 30 and its arrangement on fixing band 21.

[0029] 3A and 3B , each electrode 30 generally has a dome-shaped protrusion 31 protruding from the contact surface side of the fixing band 21, and a fitting portion 32 disposed within the fixing band 21. Each electrode 30 is made of a conductive material (such as stainless steel) and is electrically connected to the main body 10 via a conductive wire 23 disposed within the fixing band 21. The user can acquire electrocardiographic signals via each electrode 30 by wearing the biological information measuring device 1, for example, on the left upper arm using the fixing band 21 so that the protrusion 31 of each electrode 30 contacts the skin surface.

[0030] 3B, the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 is composed of a dome-shaped umbrella portion 311 and a stem portion 312 extending cylindrically from the center of the umbrella portion 311, and the fitting portion 32 is formed with a fitting recess 321 that fits with the stem portion 312. This allows the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 to detachably fit into the fitting portion 32 like a snap button. Note that Fig. 3A shows the state in which the protrusion 31 and the fitting portion 32 are fitted together (attached state), and Fig. 3B shows the state in which the engagement between the protrusion 31 and the fitting portion 32 is released (detached state).

[0031] (Structure of Band Cover) Next, the structure of the band cover 40 will be described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a schematic plan view of the band cover 40 as viewed from the contact surface side, and Figure 4B is a schematic plan view of the band cover as viewed from the top surface side. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the band cover 40 has a generally rectangular shape with a longitudinal direction in plan view, and is formed into a flat tubular shape with both longitudinal ends open. The band cover 40 is formed from a non-conductive, stretchable fabric material, but the method for forming it is not particularly limited, and it may be formed by knitting, or by joining multiple fabric materials together by sewing or heat welding, for example.

[0032] 4A , the band cover 40 is provided with a plurality of electrode openings 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, and 41f for exposing the electrodes 30 when the band cover 40 is attached to the band portion 20, and a main body opening 42 for exposing the main body housing 11. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the electrode openings 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, and 41f, they will be described as electrode openings 41. The electrode openings 41 are provided only on the contact surface side of the band cover 40, and the main body openings 42 are provided on both the contact surface side and the opposite surface of the band cover 40.

[0033] When attaching the band cover 40 to the band portion 20, for example, one end of the fixing band 21 is inserted through one longitudinal end opening of the band cover 40 until the positions of the electrodes 30 and the electrode openings 41 are aligned. At this time, it is necessary to pass through the main body housing 11, but because the band cover 40 is stretchable, it can be passed through the main body housing 11 without any hindrance, and the main body housing 11 can then be exposed from the main body opening 42.

[0034] Here, the positional relationship between the electrode 30 and the electrode opening 41 when the band cover 40 is correctly attached to the band portion 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3A. As shown in Fig. 3A, the band cover 40 is correctly attached when the electrode opening 41 of the band cover 40 is covered by the convex portion 31 (more specifically, the umbrella portion 311) of the electrode 30. In this state, the band cover 40 does not impede contact between the electrode 30 and the skin surface, and the fixing band 21 can be prevented from directly contacting the skin surface.

[0035] In order to have the entire electrode opening 41 of the band cover 40 covered by the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30, for example, the band cover 40 may be attached with the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 removed, and then the protrusion 31 may be fitted into the fitting portion 32 exposed from the electrode opening 41. Alternatively, even if the protrusion 31 is already fitted, the electrode opening 41 may be expanded by stretching the vicinity of the electrode opening 41 and allowing its peripheral portion to slip into the gap between the contact surface of the fixing band 21 and the bottom surface of the umbrella portion 331 of the protrusion 31, thereby making it possible to have the entire electrode opening 41 covered by the protrusion 31.

[0036] (Functional Configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the biological information measuring device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the biological information measuring device 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the biological information measuring device 1 is configured to include the following functional units: a control unit 110, an electrode unit 101, a pulse wave sensor unit 102, a timer unit 104, a memory unit 105, a display unit 106, an operation unit 107, a power supply unit 108, and a communication unit 109.

[0037] The control unit 110 is a means for controlling the biological information measuring device 1 and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When the control unit 110 receives a user's operation via the operation unit 107, it controls each component of the biological information measuring device 1 to execute various processes such as biological information measurement and information communication in accordance with a predetermined program. The predetermined program is stored in the storage unit 105, which will be described later, and is read from there. The control unit 110 also includes, as functional modules, an electrocardiogram measurement unit 111 and a pulse wave measurement unit 112.

[0038] The electrocardiogram measurement unit 111 acquires time-series data of electrocardiogram signals from the electrode unit 101 to measure the user's electrocardiogram waveform, and stores ECG (Electrocardiogram) data in the storage unit 105. The pulse wave measurement unit 112 acquires time-series data of pulse wave signals from the pulse wave sensor unit 102 to measure the user's pulse waveform, and stores PPG (Photoplethysmogram) data in the storage unit 105.

[0039] The electrode unit 101 includes six electrodes 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, and 30f and functions as a sensor unit that detects electrocardiographic signals. Specifically, when the biological information measurement device 1 is worn, two electrodes that are positioned opposite each other form a pair, and an electrocardiographic signal is detected based on the potential difference between the paired electrodes. In other words, three different electrocardiographic signals can be detected simultaneously from three pairs of electrodes.

[0040] The pulse wave sensor unit 102 includes a desired pulse wave sensor 14 and functions as a sensor unit that detects pulse wave signals. The pulse wave sensor 14 in this embodiment is a reflective photoplethysmographic sensor that is located on the underside of the main body housing 11 (i.e., the surface that comes into contact with the skin when worn), as shown in FIG. 2B . A reflective photoplethysmographic sensor irradiates a living body with infrared light, red light, or green light, and detects the light reflected from the living body using a photodiode or the like, thereby detecting the blood flow rate (changes in blood vessel volume) that changes with the heartbeat.

[0041] Each of the above-mentioned sensor units including the electrode unit 101 includes, although not shown, an amplifier unit that amplifies the signal output from the sensor, an A / D conversion unit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and a filter circuit that removes noise components.

[0042] The timer unit 104 has a function of measuring time by referring to a real time clock (RTC) (not shown), for example, counting the time when a predetermined event occurs and outputting the counted time.

[0043] The storage unit 105 includes a main storage device (not shown) such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various information such as application programs and biological information data measured by each measurement unit (described later). In addition to the RAM, the storage unit 105 is also provided with a long-term storage medium such as a flash memory, enabling long-term storage of biological information.

[0044] The display unit 106 includes an LED indicator 12, and notifies the user of the device status, the occurrence of a predetermined event, etc., by lighting or blinking the LED indicator 12. The operation unit 107 includes a plurality of operation buttons 13, and has the function of accepting input operations from the user via the operation buttons and causing the control unit 110 to execute processing according to the operation.

[0045] The power supply unit 108 includes a battery (not shown) that supplies the power necessary to operate the device. The battery may be a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, or a primary battery. In the case of a configuration including a secondary battery, a configuration including a charging terminal may also be provided. The communication unit 109 includes an antenna for wireless communication, a wired communication terminal (neither of which are shown), and the like, and has the function of communicating with other devices such as an information processing terminal. Note that the communication unit 109 may also function as a charging terminal.

[0046] According to the biological information measuring device 1 of this embodiment as described above, even when the electrodes 30 are provided on the band unit 20, the surface of the fixing band 21 that comes into contact with the skin (excluding the electrode 30 portion) can be covered with the band cover 40, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the band unit 20. Furthermore, cleaning can be completed simply by attaching and detaching the band cover, which improves the maintainability of the device and increases the operating time of the device (the time for measuring biological information).

[0047] Furthermore, because the band cover 40 is what comes into contact with the skin surface when the biological information measurement device 1 is worn, choosing the right material for the band cover 40 can prevent stuffiness and rashes when the device is worn. In other words, there is no need to consider whether the material of the fixing band 21 will be in constant contact with the body. Furthermore, because the band cover 40 can be designed in a variety of ways, it can be easily replaced to suit the time, place, and occasion.

[0048] Furthermore, the electrodes 30 of the band portion 20 are configured to have a protrusion 31 that comes into contact with the living body and a fitting portion 32 that is placed inside the fixing band 21, and because the protrusion 31 is configured to be detachable from the fitting portion 32, the protrusion 31 can be easily replaced, further improving the maintainability of the device. Furthermore, because the protrusion 31 is detachable, the band cover 40 can also be easily attached and detached.

[0049] <Modifications> The structure of the electrodes 30 and the fixing band 21, and the relative positions of the electrodes 30 and the electrode openings 41 in the band cover 40 can be configured in various ways other than those described in the above embodiment. Such modifications will be described below. In the following modifications, the same components as those in the biological information measuring device 1 according to the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again, and only the parts that differ from the above embodiment will be mainly described. In addition, in the schematic diagrams of the modifications, components that do not require explanation are omitted as appropriate.

[0050] (Variation 1) Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electrode 30 and electrode opening 41 of a first variation. In this variation, when the band cover 40 is attached as shown in Fig. 6A, the peripheral edge of the electrode opening 41 is sandwiched between the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 (more specifically, the end face of the umbrella portion 311) and the contact surface of the fixing band 21. That is, when the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 is fitted into the fitting portion 32, the gap between the contact surface of the fixing band 21 and the end face of the umbrella portion 311 is configured to be smaller than the thickness of the band cover 40. With this configuration, the periphery of the electrode opening 41 is fixed, preventing the band cover 40 from shifting position.

[0051] (Variation 2) Fig. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the electrode opening 46 of the band cover 45 and the electrode 30 according to a second variation. In this variation, as shown in Fig. 6B, the diameter of the electrode opening 46 of the band cover 45 is configured to be narrower than that of the embodiment. This ensures that the electrode opening 46 remains covered by the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 even when the electrode opening 46 is expanded to its maximum extent. This configuration prevents the electrode opening 46 from shifting position and the protrusion 31 of the electrode 30 from being covered by the band cover 45, even if the peripheral edge of the electrode opening 46 is not sandwiched between the protrusion 31 and the contact surface.

[0052] (Variation 3) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electrode 60 according to a third variation. The electrode 60 according to this variation is generally similar to that of embodiment 1, comprising a dome-shaped protrusion 61 protruding from the contact surface of the fixing band 21 and a fitting portion 62 disposed within the fixing band 21, with the two fitting portions detachably fitted together. However, this variation differs from the embodiment in that a resin elastic member 63 is provided at the base end (the end on the contact surface side) of the outer periphery of the umbrella portion 611 of the electrode protrusion 61. With this configuration, when the band cover 40 is attached, friction generated between the elastic member 63 and the band cover 40 limits movement of the peripheral edge of the electrode opening 41. With this configuration, even if the force with which the band cover 40 is clamped between the protrusion 61 of the electrode 60 and the contact surface of the fixing band 21 is weak, the frictional force of the elastic member 63 can prevent displacement of the electrode opening 41 in the band cover 40.

[0053] (Variation 4) Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a fixing band 25 according to a fourth variation. In the above embodiment, the fixing band 21 was configured to have fitting portions 32 in a number corresponding to the number (six) of electrodes 30. On the other hand, in this variation, the fixing band 25 is provided with conductive fitting portions 32 that fit with the protrusions 31 of six or more electrodes 30, resulting in fitting portions 32 that do not fit with six of the protrusions 31. Note that, within the fixing band 25, conductive wires (signal wires) 26 that are electrically connected to the main body housing 11 are connected to all of the fitting portions 32, and each conductive wire 26 is arranged so as to avoid fitting portions 32 other than the fitting portion 32 to which it is connected.

[0054] The protrusions 31 of the electrodes 30 are configured to be able to fit into any of the fitting portions 32, so the arrangement of the electrodes 30 on the band portion can be changed depending on which fitting portion 32 the protrusions 31 are fitted into. Also, by increasing or decreasing the number of protrusions 31, the number of electrodes 30 that function as sensors can be changed.

[0055] With this configuration, the arrangement and number of electrodes can be easily changed according to individual differences in the size of the part of the body where the device is worn (e.g., arm circumference), thereby providing a highly convenient device. Note that, as shown in Fig. 8A, by using a band cover 40 in which the positions of the protrusions 31 and the electrode openings 41 match after the electrode arrangement has been determined, the fitting portions 32 in which the protrusions 31 are not fitted can be covered with the band cover 40.

[0056] (Variation 5) FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fixing band 27 and the electrode 70 according to a fifth variation. In this variation, the electrode 70 includes a fitting portion 72 and a detachable protrusion 71, as in the previous examples. However, the fitting portion 72 is configured to slide longitudinally within the fixing band 27, allowing the position of the electrode 70 to be changed by sliding the fitting portion 72. The white double-headed arrow in FIG. 8B indicates the range over which the fitting portion 72 can slide. Specifically, for example, a rail portion (not shown) can be provided within the fixing band 27, the fitting portion 72 can be positioned on the rail, and a large opening can be provided on the contact surface side of the fixing band 27, with the entire opening covered by a cover member 75 that moves with the fitting portion 72. In this variation, after each electrode 70 is positioned, a band cover 40 having an electrode opening 41 formed in a location that matches the electrode 70 can be attached.

[0057] <Others> The above examples merely illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and combinations of the present invention are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, while the above examples illustrate a configuration in which the protrusion 31 and the fitting portion 32 of the electrode are detachable, the electrode does not necessarily have to be configured in this manner, and the protrusion does not necessarily have to be detachable. The band cover can be attached as long as there is a gap between the end face of the protrusion and the contact surface of the fixing band that allows the peripheral edge of the electrode opening of the band cover to be inserted. Furthermore, while the above examples illustrate a dome-shaped protrusion, this configuration is not necessarily required, and various shapes can be adopted for the shape of the electrode protrusion (i.e., the portion that contacts the skin surface).

[0058] Furthermore, while the band cover is tubular in the above examples, it does not necessarily have to be this way and can be configured, for example, as a sticker with an adhesive surface. That is, the band cover can be attached to the band portion by attaching the adhesive surface of the sticker with the electrode openings to the contact surface of the fixing band. Even with this configuration, discomfort when wearing the device can be reduced by forming the surface opposite the adhesive surface (i.e., the surface that comes into contact with the skin when the band cover is attached) from a fabric material.

[0059] Furthermore, when the band cover is made into a sticker-like shape, the adhesive surface can be made of a gel mat such as polyurethane, which makes it possible to provide a sticker-like band cover that can be washed with water and reused many times.

[0060] Furthermore, the biological information measuring device does not need to be equipped with a pulse wave sensor, and the present invention can also be applied to a measuring device that measures only electrocardiogram waveforms.

[0061] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Biological information measuring device 10: Main body 11: Main body housing 12: LED indicator 13: Operation button 14: Pulse wave sensor 101: Electrode section 102: Pulse wave sensor section 104: Timer section 105: Memory section 106: Display section 107: Operation section 108: Power supply section 109: Communication section 110: Control section 20: Band section 21, 25, 27: Fixing band 22: Band loop 23, 26: Conductive wire 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 60, 70: Electrode 31, 61, 71: Convex section 32, 62, 72: Fitting section 40, 45: Band cover 41, 46: Opening for electrode 42: Opening for main body 63: Elastic member

Claims

1. A biometric information measuring device that is worn on a human body, comprising: a main body housing; a band portion on which a plurality of electrodes are arranged and for wearing the main body housing on the human body; and a detachable band cover that is made of a non-conductive material and is configured to be able to cover at least the contact surface of the band portion that comes into contact with the human body, wherein the electrodes have convex portions that protrude from the contact surface of the band portion, and the band cover has a plurality of openings through which the convex portions of the electrodes can protrude, and the electrodes and the openings are configured so that when the band portion is covered with the band cover, the openings are covered by the convex portions of the electrodes.

2. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is configured so that the protrusion is detachable from the band portion.

3. The biological information measuring device of claim 2, wherein when the band cover covers the band portion, the band cover is fixed by sandwiching at least the peripheral edge of the opening between the convex portion of the electrode and the contact surface.

4. The bioinformation measuring device of claim 2, wherein the band cover is made of a stretchable material, and the electrode and the opening are configured so that the opening is covered by the convex portion of the electrode even when the opening is in a state where it is expanded to its maximum extent due to the stretchability.

5. The bioinformation measuring device of claim 2, wherein the protrusion of the electrode has an elastic member at the base end portion of the outer periphery when viewed in a plane, and when the band portion is covered with the band cover, the movement of the peripheral portion of the opening is restricted by friction with the elastic member, thereby fixing the band cover.

6. A biological information measuring device as described in claim 2, wherein the band portion is provided with a plurality of conductive fitting portions that fit into the protrusions, the protrusions of the electrodes are detachable from the fitting portions, and a plurality of signal lines are arranged inside the band portion to electrically connect each corresponding one of the fitting portions to the main body housing, each of which is arranged so as to avoid the other fitting portions.

7. The biological information measuring device according to claim 6, wherein at least the fitting portion has a magnetic force, and the fitting portion and the protrusion are fixed together by the magnetic force.

8. A biological information measuring device as described in claim 6, wherein the protrusion of the electrode is configured to be detachable from any of the plurality of fitting portions, and the arrangement and / or number of the electrodes is configured to be changeable by providing a fitting portion into which the protrusion is not fitted.

9. The biological information measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the fitting portion is configured to be slidable, and the arrangement of the electrodes can be changed by sliding the fitting portion.

10. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the band cover has an adhesive surface on the side that comes into contact with the contact surface.

Citation Information

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