Biosignal sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biosignal sensor and, more specifically, to a biosignal sensor for collecting biosignals including brain waves from a hairy body part of an animal including a human, the biosignal sensor comprising: a fixing band for surrounding and fixing a body part; an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrodes disposed on the rear surface of the fixing band, which is the surface facing the skin of the animal; and a conductive substance reservoir electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes to the skin of the animal via a conductive substance. Accordingly, by electrically connecting the skin of an animal through the conductive substance reservoir to the electrode assembly placed on the forehead of the animal, the present invention can improve conductive contact between the biosignal collection electrodes and the skin of the animal.

Description

biosignal sensor

[0001] The present invention relates to a biosignal sensor, and more particularly, to a biosignal sensor that collects biosignals, including brain waves, from hairy body parts of animals, including humans.

[0002] In general, biosignals are caused by the electrical activity of nerve cells that make up animals, including humans, and can be measured in the form of electrical signals through electrodes on the skin. In particular, brain waves are caused by the electrical activity of nerve cells that make up the brain.

[0003] Depending on the target of biosignal measurement, including brain waves, the body part being measured, head shape, size, and curvature vary. Therefore, to ensure stable skin contact between electrodes, the size of the biosignal sensor attached to the skin must be miniaturized, and tight contact and electrical connection are crucial. Maintaining an appropriate distance between measurement channels is also crucial for biosignal quality.

[0004] In special situations such as surgery, it is necessary to measure brain waves to determine the depth of anesthesia. In this case, the depth of anesthesia can be determined by measuring the brain waves of the surgical subject.

[0005] In particular, in the case of animals, there was a problem that the contact between the skin and the electrode was uneven because there was hair around the frontal lobe where brain waves were measured.

[0006] Additionally, since the animal's scalp is soft, even if the biosignal sensor is fixed using a fixing band, there was a problem in that the fixing position of the biosignal sensor changed because the animal moved back and forth near the frontal lobe.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a biosignal sensor that can be simply and stably fixed to hairy body parts and animal heads while maintaining stable contact with the skin.

[0008] In order to solve the problems of the above-described background technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a biosignal sensor that can improve conductive adhesion between a biosignal collection electrode and the animal skin by electrically connecting an electrode assembly placed on the animal's forehead and the animal's skin through a conductive material storage body.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can be flexibly wrapped around an animal's head and stably fixed thereto by having a fixed band made of a flexible material such as a urethane film.

[0010] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can reduce noise generated by contact between wiring and skin when the biosignal sensor is fixed and worn on an animal by having an insulating portion that insulates the wiring portion of the electrode assembly.

[0011] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can facilitate connection with an amplifier and an external device by providing a connecting portion in an electrode assembly.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can be simply combined by combining an electrode assembly with a fixed band using double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor in which an electrode portion and a wiring portion are formed by printing silver or silver chloride ink, thereby easily forming electrodes and wiring, and facilitating electrical signal transmission while maintaining flexibility of the electrode assembly.

[0014] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor capable of measuring the biosignal of an animal while miniaturizing the biosignal sensor by arranging electrodes including a ground electrode, a reference electrode, and a channel electrode.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor capable of improving the quality of collected biosignals by placing a ground electrode in the center and placing a reference electrode and a channel electrode at equal distances on both sides of the ground electrode.

[0016] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor capable of improving electrical connection and adhesion between an electrode and animal skin by embedding a conductive material inside a storage portion of a conductive material storage body.

[0017] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor capable of minimizing volatilization and evaporation of a conductive material by having a porous foam that absorbs and stores a conductive material inside a storage unit.

[0018] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that maintains a storage state so that a conductive material does not flow out by forming a cross-sectional diameter of a storage opening smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of an internal space of the storage, and can discharge the conductive material by pumping the storage portion when necessary.

[0019] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can prevent short circuits between a plurality of electrodes by forming a plurality of partition walls around each of a plurality of storage units, thereby preventing mixing of conductive materials stored in each storage unit.

[0020] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor that can prevent the main body from slipping off the skin of an animal by providing at least one guide portion protruding from the bottom surface of the main body portion at the bottom of one of the plurality of storage portions.

[0021] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a biosignal sensor having a contact pad on the upper surface around a plurality of storage portions, thereby allowing the electrode portion to be fixed at an accurate location on the skin of an animal suitable for collecting biosignals.

[0022] The biosignal sensor of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a biosignal sensor that collects biosignals, including brain waves, from a hairy body part of an animal including a human, and includes: an electrode assembly that is fixed to the body part and has a plurality of electrodes arranged toward the skin of the animal; and a conductive material storage that electrically connects the plurality of electrodes and the skin of the animal via a conductive material.

[0023] Preferably, the device further comprises a fixing band that surrounds the body part and brings the plurality of electrodes into close contact with the skin of the animal, wherein the electrode assembly is disposed on the rear side of the fixing band facing the skin of the animal.

[0024] Preferably, the electrode assembly comprises: a sheet portion coupled to the rear surface of the fixed band; an electrode portion formed of a plurality of electrodes arranged on the rear surface of the sheet portion for collecting the bio-signals of the animal; a wiring portion formed of a plurality of wires each having one end electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes; an insulating portion for insulating the wiring portion; and a connecting portion electrically connected to the other end of each of the plurality of wires for electrically transmitting the collected bio-signals to the outside.

[0025] Preferably, the sheet portion is detachably attached to the fixed band.

[0026] Preferably, the conductive material storage body comprises a main body portion having a coupling surface coupled to the rear surface of the electrode assembly and a contact surface in contact with the skin of the animal in an opposite direction to the coupling surface; and a plurality of storage portions each having a plurality of internal spaces and openings formed through the main body portion so that the electrode portions face the skin of the animal, and each storage portion being positioned at a position corresponding to the plurality of electrode positions, wherein the conductive material is embedded in each of the internal spaces of the plurality of storage portions.

[0027] Preferably, the storage unit is made of an elastic material, so that when elastic deformation occurs due to an external force, the conductive material is discharged from the opening of the storage unit onto the skin.

[0028] Preferably, the storage portion is formed such that the cross-sectional diameter of the opening is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the internal space.

[0029] Preferably, the storage unit further includes a porous foam having a porous structure that absorbs the conductive material and maintains a storage state, which is inserted into the internal space of the storage unit.

[0030] Preferably, the plurality of storage portions further include at least one bulkhead portion protruding from the bottom surface of the main body portion.

[0031] Preferably, the device further includes at least one guide portion protruding from the bottom surface of the main body portion at the bottom of one of the plurality of storage portions.

[0032] Preferably, the front side further comprises a plurality of adhesive pads attached to the upper surface around the opening of each of the storage compartments, and the back side further comprises a plurality of adhesive pads attached to the skin of the animal.

[0033] Preferably, the sealing pad covers a portion of the opening of the storage unit.

[0034] Another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a bio-signal sensor, wherein the electrode assembly comprises: an electrode portion formed of a plurality of electrodes that are arranged on the rear surface of the fixed band and collect bio-signals of the animal; a wiring portion formed of a plurality of wires that are arranged on the rear surface of the fixed band and have one end electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes; an insulating portion that insulates the wiring portion; and a connecting portion that is electrically connected to the other end of each of the plurality of wires and electrically transmits the collected bio-signals to the outside.

[0035] The biosignal sensor of the present invention can improve conductive adhesion between the biosignal collection electrode and the animal skin by electrically connecting the electrode assembly placed on the animal's forehead and the animal's skin through a conductive material storage body.

[0036] In addition, the present invention has a fixed band made of a flexible material such as a urethane film, so that it can be flexibly wrapped around the head of an animal and stably fixed thereto according to the shape of the animal's head.

[0037] In addition, the present invention can reduce noise generation due to contact between wiring and skin when the biosignal sensor is fixed and worn on an animal by providing an insulating portion that insulates the wiring portion in the electrode assembly.

[0038] In addition, the present invention can facilitate connection with an amplifier and an external device by providing a connecting portion in the electrode assembly.

[0039] In addition, the present invention can be simply combined by combining the electrode assembly with a fixed band using double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0040] In addition, the present invention can easily form electrodes and wiring by forming the electrode portion and wiring portion by printing silver or silver chloride ink, and can easily transmit electric signals while maintaining the flexibility of the electrode assembly.

[0041] In addition, the present invention can measure the biosignals of an animal while miniaturizing the biosignal sensor by arranging electrodes including a ground electrode, a reference electrode, and a channel electrode.

[0042] In addition, the present invention can improve the quality of collected biosignals by placing the ground electrode in the center and placing the reference electrode and the channel electrode at equal distances on both sides of the ground electrode.

[0043] In addition, the present invention can improve electrical connection and adhesion between the electrode and the animal skin by embedding a conductive material inside the storage portion of the conductive material storage body.

[0044] In addition, the present invention can minimize volatilization and evaporation of the conductive material by providing a porous foam that absorbs and stores the conductive material inside the storage unit.

[0045] In addition, the present invention maintains a storage state in which the cross-sectional diameter of the opening is formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the internal space, so that the conductive material does not flow out, and when necessary, the storage portion can be pumped to discharge the conductive material.

[0046] In addition, the present invention can prevent short circuits between the plurality of electrodes by forming one or more partition walls around each of the plurality of storage units, thereby preventing the conductive materials discharged around each storage unit from mixing.

[0047] In addition, the present invention can prevent the main body from slipping off the animal's skin by providing at least one guide portion protruding from the bottom surface of the main body portion at the bottom of one of the plurality of storage portions.

[0048] In addition, the present invention provides a contact pad on the upper surface around a plurality of storage units, so that the electrode unit can be fixed at an accurate location on the skin of an animal suitable for collecting biosignals.

[0049] Fig. 1 is a front view of a biosignal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a rear view of a biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 3 is a front view of a fixed band according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear.

[0053] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of a conductive material storage body constituting the present invention.

[0054] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a conductive material storage body constituting the present invention.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Fig. 5 constituting the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 9 is a drawing showing a state in which a biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn on an animal's head.

[0058] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which a biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn on the torso of an animal.

[0059] Fig. 11 is a front view of a fixed band according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Fig. 12 is a rear view of a fixed band according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention relates to a biosignal sensor that collects biosignals, including brain waves, from hairy body parts of animals, including humans.

[0062] FIG. 1 is a front view of a biosignal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of a biosignal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view of a fixing band according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear, FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a conductive material storage body constituting the present invention, FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a conductive material storage body constituting the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5 constituting the present invention, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a biosignal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which an animal wears a biosignal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn on the torso of an animal, FIG. 11 is a front view of a fixing band according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a rear view of a fixing band according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The biosignal sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, largely includes a fixed band (100), an electrode assembly (200), and a conductive material storage body (300).

[0064] A fixed band (100) is a flexible fixed member that is fixed to a hairy body part of an animal, including a human, and is fixed to the body part to collect and measure bio-signals, including brain waves, from the animal's skin. The fixed band (100) is made of a flexible material, such as a urethane film, so that it can be fixed in close contact with a body part of the animal without irritating the animal's skin. In particular, the fixed band (100) can be fixed to the animal's head and used to measure brain waves among bio-signals. This fixed band (100) is composed of a head fixing part (110), a connecting part (140), an ear fixing part (120), and a character pattern (130).

[0065] The head fixing member (110) is a fixing member that surrounds and fixes the animal's chin and head. It is formed in the shape of a long belt and is positioned and fixed to wrap around the animal's face. The head fixing member (110) is composed of a first head fixing member (111) and a second head fixing member (112).

[0066] The first head fixing member (111) may be extended to one side based on the connecting member (140) and may be positioned from the animal's forehead to the side of the face. A first detachable member (111a) may be provided at the front end of the first head fixing member (111). Here, the front means the direction opposite to the direction facing the animal's skin.

[0067] The second head fixing member (112) may be extended to the other side based on the connecting member (140) and may be arranged to contact the end of the first head fixing member (111) from the forehead of the animal, passing through the side of the face on the other side, the chin. A second detachable member (112a) may be provided at the middle of the front of the second head fixing member (112), a third detachable member (112b) may be provided at the front end, and a fourth detachable member (112c) may be provided at the rear end. Here, the rear side means the direction toward the animal's skin.

[0068] Accordingly, the first head fixing part (111) is formed shorter than the second head fixing part (112), and the head is wrapped around the animal on both sides based on the connecting part (140) to compress and surround the head, and each end is mutually connected and fixed on the side of the face.

[0069] At this time, the first detachable member (111a) on the front of the first head fixing member (111) and the fourth detachable member (112c) on the rear of the second head fixing member (112) can be fixed by being combined with each other. It is preferable that the first and fourth detachable members (111a, 112c) are formed of Velcro.

[0070] Although not shown in the drawing, the shape and length of the first and second head fixing members (111, 112) can be formed in various ways, and any shape is possible as long as it can be fixed around the head, and the first and fourth detachable members (111a, 112c) can be of any shape as long as they can be combined with each other.

[0071] The connecting member (140) is a connecting member that protrudes and extends from the middle of the length of the head fixing member (110) and connects the head fixing member (110) and the ear fixing member (120). It is preferable that the position where the connecting member (140) protrudes is the center of the animal's forehead.

[0072] The ear fixing member (120) is a fixing member that surrounds and fixes each ear of the animal, and is formed on one side and the other side of the connecting member (140) and is positioned and fixed to surround and fix each of the one and the other ears of the animal. The ear fixing member (120) is composed of a first ear fixing member (121) and a second ear fixing member (122).

[0073] The first ear fixing part (121) branches off from the end of the connecting part (140) and extends to one side to surround and secure one ear of the animal. A fifth detachable member (121a) may be provided at the rear end of the first ear fixing part (121). The first ear fixing part (121) surrounds one ear of the animal, and the fifth detachable member (121a) may be coupled to the third detachable member (112b). Specifically, in a state where the fourth detachable member (112c) at the rear of the second head fixing part (112) is coupled to the first detachable member (111a) at the front of the first head fixing part (111), the fifth detachable member (121a) at the rear of the first ear fixing part (121) is coupled to the third detachable member (112b) at the front of the second head fixing part (112).

[0074] The second ear fixing part (122) branches off from the end of the connecting part (140) and extends to the other side to surround and secure the other ear of the animal. A sixth detachable member (122a) may be provided at the rear end of the second ear fixing part (122). The second ear fixing part (122) surrounds the other ear of the animal, and the sixth detachable member (122a) may be coupled to the second detachable member (112a). Specifically, the sixth detachable member (122a) at the rear of the second ear fixing part (122) is coupled to the second detachable member (112a) disposed at the middle front of the second head fixing part (112).

[0075] Accordingly, the first ear fixing part (121) and the second ear fixing part (122) are formed to have the same length, branch off from the end of the connecting part (140) to both sides and wrap around each ear. Thereafter, the ends of the first and second ear fixing parts (121, 122) are fixed by being coupled to the detachable member of the head fixing part (110). It is preferable that the third and fifth detachable members (112b, 121a) and the second and sixth detachable members (112a, 122a) are formed of Velcro.

[0076] The ear fixing part (120) may have a groove (120a) formed concavely toward the connection part (140) between the first and second ear fixing parts (121, 122) branching out. This groove (120a) can be bent more flexibly when each of the first and second ear fixing parts (121, 122) bends to wrap around both ears, thereby improving adhesion to the skin.

[0077] Although not shown in the drawing, the shape and length of the ear fixing member (120) can be formed in various ways, and any shape is possible as long as it can be fixed around the ear. In addition, the third and fifth detachable members (112b, 121a) and the second and sixth detachable members (112a, 122a) can each have any shape as long as they can be coupled to each other.

[0078] Meanwhile, at least one of the detachable members that are connected to each other can be formed to have a length longer than the width. This allows the wrapping length to be adjusted to a predetermined length depending on the head circumference and ear circumference of the animal.

[0079] In the case of animals, the scalp is soft, so the electrode assembly (200) can move back and forth on the animal's head with only the head fixing part (110). Therefore, by forming the ear fixing part (120) to fix the ears together, the electrode assembly (200) can be stably fixed by the fixing band (100).

[0080] The character pattern (130) is a display member printed or displayed on the front of the fixed band (100), and guides the user by indicating the location of the electrode assembly placed on the center and back of the animal's forehead.

[0081] Accordingly, the user can position the center of the electrode assembly (200) at the center of the animal's forehead without having to turn over the fixed band (100) to check the position of the electrode assembly (200) placed on the back of the fixed band (100), and can determine the position of each of the plurality of electrode parts (220) constituting the electrode assembly (200).

[0082] The electrode assembly (200) is coupled to the back of the fixed band (100) and is placed on a body part of the animal to collect bio-signals including brain waves of the animal, and is composed of a sheet portion (210), an electrode portion (220), a wiring portion (230), an insulation portion (240), and a connection portion (250).

[0083] The sheet member (210) is a sheet member that is joined to the rear of the fixed band (100), and is preferably made of a flexible material such as urethane. This sheet member (210) can be joined to the fixed band (100) using double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0084] The electrode part (220) is configured on the rear side of the sheet part (210) and is an electrode member placed on a body part of an animal to collect the animal's bio-signals. In the embodiment, it is placed on the head fixing part (110) to be placed on the animal's forehead and is composed of a plurality of electrodes.

[0085] The plurality of electrodes may be provided in at least three forms, including a ground electrode, a reference electrode, and a channel electrode, to improve the quality of biosignal collection. For example, the ground electrode is preferably placed at the center of the animal's forehead, and the reference electrode and channel electrode are preferably placed on either side of the ground electrode at equal distances from each other.

[0086] Meanwhile, the closer the electrode is to the frontal lobe, the better the quality of the collected biosignal. However, in the case of small animals, the forehead is narrow, so it is often difficult to position the electrode on the frontal lobe. Therefore, it is preferable to place the electrode unit (220) between the frontal lobe and the crown of the head.

[0087] The wiring unit (230) is a wiring member that electrically transmits brain wave signals collected from the electrode unit (220), and is composed of a plurality of wires, each of which is electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of wires is formed so as not to overlap with each other.

[0088] It is preferable that the wiring section (230) be arranged in a direction in which it is drawn out from each of the plurality of electrodes toward the crown of the animal.

[0089] These electrode portions (220) and wiring portions (230) can be formed by printing silver or silver chloride ink on the sheet portion (210), and any material and shape is possible as long as biosignal collection and signal transmission are possible.

[0090] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the electrode and wiring portions may be placed on the rear of the fixed band without the sheet portion. For example, a method of directly printing the electrode and wiring portions on the rear of the fixed band may be used.

[0091] The insulating part (240) is an insulating material that wraps around the rear surface of the wiring part (230) to insulate the wiring part (230), and can prevent the wiring part (230) that passes between the electrode parts (220) or is extended toward the crown of the animal from causing a short circuit due to contact with the animal's skin, the user, external conductive materials, etc.

[0092] The connecting portion (250) is a connecting member that electrically connects and transmits biosignals received from multiple wires to the outside, and is electrically connected to the other end of each of the multiple wires. This connecting portion (250) is connected to external devices such as a signal amplifier or collector.

[0093] The conductive material storage body (300) is a conductive member that is connected to the rear of the electrode assembly (200) and electrically connects the electrode assembly (200) and the animal's skin via the conductive material (301), and is composed of a main body (310) and a storage body (320).

[0094] The main body (310) is a main body member that is coupled to the rear surface of the electrode assembly (200), and is provided with a coupling surface coupled to the rear surface of the electrode assembly and a contact surface that comes into contact with the skin of the animal in the opposite direction of the coupling surface. The main body (310) is arranged to include positions corresponding to a plurality of electrodes, and may be formed to partially protrude in the direction of the crown of the animal in order to improve the contact area and fixing force with the electrode assembly (200). The main body (310) may be composed of a material such as silicone rubber.

[0095] The storage unit (320) is positioned at a position corresponding to the positions of the plurality of electrodes, and each of the plurality of electrode units (220) has a plurality of internal spaces and openings formed through the main body unit (310) so as to communicate with the skin of the animal.

[0096] A conductive material (301) is embedded in each of the plurality of internal spaces. This storage unit (320) is made of an elastic material, and when a user presses the electrode unit (220) with a finger or the like, elastic deformation occurs, causing the embedded conductive material (301) to be discharged through the opening, and the discharged conductive material (301) permeates the animal's fur and reaches the skin. As a result, the conductive material embedded in each internal space electrically connects the animal's skin and the electrode unit (220).

[0097] The conductive material (301) may be a gel- or sol-state material, or a liquid material. Animals other than humans have a lot of hair on their foreheads, making it difficult for the electrode portion (220) to directly adhere to the animal's forehead skin. Therefore, it is preferable that the conductive material (301) have an appropriate viscosity to improve conductivity.

[0098] At this time, the storage unit (320) is formed so that the cross-sectional diameter of the opening is narrower than the cross-sectional diameter of the internal space. Accordingly, the conductive material (301) within the storage unit (320) can maintain a storage state without flowing out through the opening due to surface tension in the absence of an external force.

[0099] The porous foam (321) is inserted into the internal space of the storage unit (320) and has a porous structure that absorbs and stores a conductive material (301). The porous foam (321) acts as an electrical connection guide that transmits the animal's biosignals to the electrode unit (220). At this time, the material of the porous foam (321) can be formed of a conductive material to further improve conductivity.

[0100] The bulkhead (360) is formed by one or more bulkheads (361, 362, 363) protruding from the bottom surface of the main body (310) around each storage section (320). Each bulkhead (361, 362, 363) is formed to be the same height as or slightly higher than the storage section (360) to prevent electrical short circuit of the electrode section (220) due to mixing between conductive materials (301) stored in each of the adjacent storage sections (320), thereby ensuring close contact with the animal's skin.

[0101] Although not shown in the drawing, the bulkhead may be formed in a cylindrical shape so as to completely surround the storage unit, or may be formed in an arc-shaped cross-section so as to surround only a portion of the storage unit.

[0102] The guide portion (370) is formed by one or more brushes protruding from the bottom surface of the main body portion (310) at the bottom of one of the plurality of storage portions (320). The brush has a protrusion formed on the upper surface to prevent the main body portion (310) from sliding down from the animal's skin and to fix the main body portion (310) to the animal's skin. In particular, the guide portion (370) improves signal quality by preventing the electrode portion (220) from moving due to a decrease in friction between the main body portion (310) and the animal's skin when a liquid conductive material (301) is discharged.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 7, the front side of the adhesion pad (380) is attached to the upper surface around the opening of each of the plurality of storage units (320), and the back side is attached to the animal's skin. This adhesion pad (380) functions to secure the electrode unit (220) to an accurate location on the animal's skin suitable for collecting biosignals. In addition, when a release film is used for product packaging, the adhesion pad (380) is attached to the inner surface of the release film to prevent the conductive material (301) from leaking or drying out due to exposure to air.

[0104] At this time, the contact pad (380) can further prevent leakage of the conductive material (301) by forming it to cover a portion of the opening of the storage unit (320). In addition, by forming the contact pad (380) with a conductive material, the biosignal collection capability of the electrode unit (220) can be further improved.

[0105] Hereinafter, a method for fixing and using the biosignal sensor of the present invention will be briefly described. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the user secures the head fixing part (110) around the head of the animal, and then secures the first and second ear fixing parts (121, 122) around each of the two ears. At this time, the center of the electrode assembly (200) (identifiable by the character pattern) is adjusted and secured so that it is positioned at the center of the animal's forehead.

[0106] The connecting portion (250) of the electrode assembly (200) is connected to an external device, and when preparation for biosignal collection is complete, the front side of the electrode portion (220) is pressed so that the conductive material inside the storage portion (320) is discharged through the opening onto the animal's skin. At this time, the position of the electrode portion (220) can be confirmed by the character pattern (130).

[0107] When a conductive material (321) is discharged and reaches the animal's skin, the animal's skin and the electrode unit (220) are electrically connected, and the electrode unit (220) collects the animal's bio-signals. The collected bio-signals are transmitted to an external device through the electrode unit (220), the wiring unit (230), and the connecting unit (250).

[0108] The method of fixing and using the biosignal sensor described above may vary depending on user convenience or circumstances. Furthermore, while the above description and drawings illustrate a method of measuring brain waves from an animal's forehead, it is also possible to measure biosignals other than brain waves from other body parts, as illustrated in Figure 10.

[0109] Below, a biosignal sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Components having the same form or function as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same drawing reference numerals, and a description of the same components will be omitted.

[0110] The biosignal sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a different shape of the fixed band (100) compared to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0111] The fixed band (100) is composed of a head fixing part (110) and an ear fixing part (120). The head fixing part (110) is the same as the first embodiment, and the ear fixing part (120) is composed of third and fourth ear fixing parts (123, 124).

[0112] The third ear fixing part (123) has an ear insertion port (133) formed on one side of the connecting part (140) into which one ear of the animal is inserted. One ear of the animal is inserted and fixed into the ear insertion port (133).

[0113] The fourth ear fixing part (124) has the same shape and function as the second ear fixing part (122) of the first embodiment.

[0114] The ear fixing part (120) may have a groove (120a) formed concavely toward the connection part (140) between the third and fourth ear fixing parts (123, 124) branching out. This groove (120a) can be bent more flexibly when each of the third and fourth ear fixing parts (123, 124) bends to wrap around both ears, thereby improving adhesion to the skin.

[0115] Accordingly, compared to the first embodiment, the action of fixing the first ear fixing part (121) to the first head fixing part (111) can be replaced with the action of inserting the ear into the ear insertion port (133). Specifically, the user inserts one ear into the ear insertion port (133), then fixes the head fixing part (110) so that it wraps around the animal's head and chin, and then fixes the fourth ear fixing part (124) by wrapping it around the other ear and connecting it to the head fixing part (110).

[0116] The method of fixing and using the biosignal sensor described above may be changed in some order depending on user convenience or circumstances.

[0117] The present invention described above can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its technical spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting.

[0118] The present invention is a biosignal sensor that collects biosignals, including brain waves, from body parts of animals, including humans, and can be used in the healthcare industry or medical industry.

Claims

1. As a biosignal sensor that collects biosignals, including brain waves, from hairy body parts of animals, including humans. An electrode assembly having a plurality of electrodes fixed to the body part and positioned toward the skin of the animal; and A biosignal sensor characterized by comprising a conductive material storage body that electrically connects the plurality of electrodes and the skin of the animal via a conductive material.

2. In claim 1, further comprising a fixing band that surrounds the body part and adheres the plurality of electrodes to the skin of the animal; A biosignal sensor characterized in that the electrode assembly is placed on the rear side of the fixed band in a direction toward the animal's skin.

3. In claim 1, The above electrode assembly, A sheet portion coupled to the rear of the above fixed band; An electrode section comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged on the rear surface of the sheet section to collect the animal's bio-signals; A wiring section comprising a plurality of wires each of which is electrically connected to one end of the plurality of electrodes; An insulating part that insulates the above wiring part; and A biosignal sensor characterized by comprising a connecting portion electrically connected to the other end of each of the plurality of wires to electrically transmit the collected biosignal to the outside.

4. In claim 3, A biosignal sensor characterized in that the above sheet portion is detachably attached to the fixed band.

5. In claim 1, The above conductive material storage body is, A main body having a coupling surface coupled to the rear surface of the electrode assembly and a contact surface in contact with the skin of the animal in the opposite direction of the coupling surface; and A plurality of storage parts each having a plurality of internal spaces and openings formed through the main body so that the electrode parts face the skin of the animal, and each storage part is positioned at a position corresponding to the plurality of electrode positions; A biosignal sensor characterized in that the conductive material is embedded in each of the internal spaces of the plurality of storage units.

6. In claim 5, A biosignal sensor characterized in that the storage unit is made of an elastic material, and when elastic deformation occurs due to an external force, the conductive material is discharged from the opening of the storage unit onto the skin.

7. In claim 5, The above storage unit is, A biosignal sensor characterized in that the cross-sectional diameter of the opening is formed smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the internal space.

8. In claim 7, A biosignal sensor further comprising a porous foam having a porous structure that is inserted into the internal space of the storage unit and maintains a storage state by absorbing the conductive material.

9. In claim 5, A biosignal sensor characterized in that it further includes one or more partition walls formed protruding from the bottom surface of the main body around the plurality of storage units.

10. In claim 5, A biosignal sensor characterized in that it further includes one or more guide parts protruding from the bottom surface of the main body part at the bottom of one of the plurality of storage parts.

11. In claim 5, A biosignal sensor characterized in that the front side further includes a plurality of adhesive pads attached to the upper surface around the opening of each of the storage units, and the back side is attached to the skin of the animal.

12. In claim 11, A biosignal sensor characterized in that the above-mentioned adhesion pad covers a portion of the opening of the storage unit.

13. In claim 1, The above electrode assembly, An electrode section comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged on the rear of the fixed band to collect the animal's bio-signals; A wiring section arranged on the rear of the fixed band and comprising a plurality of wires each of which is electrically connected to one end of the plurality of electrodes; An insulating part that insulates the above wiring part; and A biosignal sensor characterized by comprising a connecting portion electrically connected to the other end of each of the plurality of wires to electrically transmit the collected biosignal to the outside.

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