Wearable device

Abstract

A wearable device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a base that includes a device for measuring a physiological indicator; an electrode that is electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device in order to measure the physiological indicator; and an adhesive sheet member that attaches the base to the skin of the subject. The wearable device is characterized in that: a first surface of the base on a side that is brought into contact with the skin has a first region in which the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region in which the adhesive sheet member is not disposed; and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes.

Description

Wearable device

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable device for measuring physiological indices of a living body.

[0002] By adhering a small device equipped with an electronic circuit and electrodes using a conductive adhesive sheet-like member, it can be stably worn on the skin of a subject, and its physiological indices can be continuously measured.

[0003] Patent No. 6539827

[0004] However, in order to achieve stable wearing, when the adhesive sheet is disposed entirely on the skin side of the subject, the adhesive sheet has poor moisture permeability, and skin irritation may occur if it is in contact with the skin for a long time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable device that enables stable wearing while reducing skin irritation.

[0006] The present invention is a wearable device, comprising a base including a device for measuring physiological indices, an electrode electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indices, and an adhesive sheet member for attaching the base to the skin of the subject, wherein a first surface of the base that is in contact with the skin has a first region where the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region where the adhesive sheet member is not disposed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of the same shapes.

[0007] According to the present invention, skin irritation can be suppressed by restricting the area of the adhesive sheet member used to be smaller than that of the conventional one.

[0008] Figure 1 is a top view of a wearable device in which a device is embedded in a sheet, which is an example of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device in which a device is embedded in a sheet, which is an example of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of a wearable device in which a device is attached externally, which is an example of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device in which a device is attached externally, which is an example of this embodiment. Figure 5 is a top view of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 7 is a top view of a wearable device according to the second embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 8 is a top view of a wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 9 is a top view of a wearable device according to the fourth embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 10 is a top view of a wearable device according to the fifth embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 11 is a top view of a wearable device according to the sixth embodiment of this embodiment.

[0009] <Structure of Wearable Devices> This section describes a type of wearable device that incorporates a device for measuring physiological indicators into a sheet.

[0010] Figure 1 is a top view of a wearable device, an example of this implementation, in which the device is embedded in a sheet.

[0011] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device in which a device is embedded in a sheet, which is an example of this implementation.

[0012] Here, "up" refers to the direction viewed from the outside, where the wearable device is not in contact with the subject's skin, when the subject is wearing it. "Down" refers to the direction viewed from the inside, where the device is in contact with the subject's skin.

[0013] The wearable device 10 of this embodiment includes a base 1, electrodes 2, a device 3, a wiring section 4, and an adhesive sheet member 5. As will be described later, the adhesive sheet member 5 is arranged in various forms on the first lower surface 1A of the base 1. The base 1 has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0014] The underside of the base 1 is the first surface 1A that contacts the subject's skin, and the electrode 2 has at least an area that is not covered by the base 1. The surface opposite to the first surface 1A is positioned to cover the electrode 2, the device 3, and the wiring portion 4.

[0015] Base 1 is preferably flexible and can be made of silicone rubber, polyethylene, foamed polyethylene, polyimide, PET, PP, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0016] Two electrodes 2 are arranged near each of the longitudinal ends of the base 1, for a total of two electrodes. The device 3 is positioned between the two electrodes 2. In this embodiment, the electrodes 2 have a circular shape when viewed from above in a plan view.

[0017] The electrode 2 can be electrically connected to the skin of the subject wearing the wearable device, either directly or via a conductive adhesive sheet member 5.

[0018] Electrode 2 preferably has some degree of flexibility, and while a commonly available gel electrode can be used, it is not limited to these.

[0019] Device 3 is an internal component contained within the base 1 and is located in the center of the base 1. Device 3 is a device for measuring physiological indicators of a subject wearing the wearable device 10, and in this embodiment, device 3 is an electronic circuit 3. When viewed from above in a plan view, the electronic circuit 3 has a rectangular shape with its longer side in the longitudinal direction of the base 1 and its shorter side in the transverse direction of the base 1. Examples of measuring physiological indicators include the continuous measurement of electrocardiogram patterns over a long period of time during daily life in order to detect heart disease early.

[0020] The wiring section 4 is positioned between the electrodes 2 and the device 3, which are located at both ends of the base 1. When viewed from above, the wiring section 4 is linear or rectangular in shape and electrically connects the electrodes 2 and the device 3.

[0021] The wiring section 4 has one end connected to the electrode 2 and the other end connected to an external terminal (not shown) of the electronic circuit 3.

[0022] The wiring section 4 is preferably flexible, and can be made of Ag / AgCl sheets, silver paste, copper foil, conductive fabric, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0023] The adhesive sheet member 5 has sufficient adhesiveness to attach the wearable device 10 to the subject's skin. Furthermore, when the adhesive sheet member 5 is positioned to overlap with the electrode 2, using a conductive material allows for electrical conduction between the electrode 2 and the subject's skin, thereby enabling the acquisition of biosignals for obtaining physiological indicators of the subject. The parts other than the electrode do not need to be conductive, and materials advantageous for the aforementioned adhesiveness may be used.

[0024] The adhesive sheet member 5 can be made from acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, rubber adhesives, or materials obtained by mixing these with conductive materials to make them conductive, but is not limited to these.

[0025] In each of the embodiments described later, the adhesive sheet member 5 is formed only on a portion of the first surface 1A of the base 1 that comes into contact with the subject's skin.

[0026] This section describes external wearable devices used to measure physiological indicators. We will omit any overlap with the explanation of built-in wearable devices described in the sheet above, and focus on the differences.

[0027] Figure 3 is a top view of a wearable device with an externally attached device, which is an example of this implementation.

[0028] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device with an externally attached device, which is an example of this implementation.

[0029] The difference from wearable devices that have the device embedded in the sheet is that the electronic circuit 3, which is the device 3, is external; that is, it is located outside the base 1 and is electrically and physically connected to the wiring section 4 via the connector 6. Otherwise, it is the same as wearable devices that have the device embedded in the sheet.

[0030] Similar to the first and second embodiments, the electronic circuit 3 is located in the center of the base 1 when viewed from above.

[0031] The connector 6 has the function of electrically connecting the electronic circuit 3 and the wiring section 4. Two connectors 6 are arranged, one near each of the longitudinal ends of the electronic circuit 3. The connector 6 also has the function of making the electronic circuit 3 in the wearable device 10 detachable.

[0032] Examples of connector 6 include, but are not limited to, snap buttons such as American snaps. Other types of fasteners, such as magnetic clasps, may also be used.

[0033] <Embodiments>Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described later, but various variations in the arrangement of the adhesive sheet member 5 that are common to each embodiment will be explained below.

[0034] A common feature is that at least the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed and the second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed have a regular pattern composed of multiple identical shapes.

[0035] This makes it possible to achieve stable attachment of the wearable device 10 when the subject wears it, similar to when the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed across the entire surface in the conventional design. Furthermore, in addition to stable attachment, the contact area between the adhesive sheet member 5 and the subject's skin can be reduced, thus suppressing skin irritation.

[0036] The following describes specific embodiments.

[0037] <First Embodiment> Figure 5 is a plan view from above of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. The electrodes 2, the electronic circuit 3 as the device 3, and the wiring section 4 are shown by dotted lines.

[0038] Multiple circular adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, are regularly arranged in a region including the central part of the base 1, excluding the electrodes 2 located at both ends of the base 1.

[0039] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of this invention, showing the cross-section along the line A-A shown in Figure 5.

[0040] Adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, are regularly arranged in the central part of the base 1, excluding the area where the electrodes 2 are located. This allows for efficient removal of secretions such as sweat from the subject's skin through the gaps between the adhesive sheet members 5 without severely reducing the wearability of the wearable device 10.

[0041] <Second Embodiment> Figure 7 is a plan view of the wearable device according to the second embodiment of this embodiment, as seen from above.

[0042] Similar to the first embodiment, the adhesive sheet member 5 consists of multiple rectangular adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, arranged regularly across a region including the central part of the base 1, excluding the electrodes 2 located at both ends of the base 1. In this embodiment, the adhesive sheet member 5 is arranged with a certain degree of inclination, having an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base 1.

[0043] Although a cross-sectional view is not specifically shown in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, are regularly arranged in the central part of the base 1 other than the region where the electrodes 2 are located. This allows for efficient removal of secretions such as sweat from the subject's skin through the gaps between the adhesive sheet members 5 without severely reducing the wearability of the wearable device 10.

[0044] Further, since it has a rectangular shape, it can quickly expel secretions having moisture such as sweat to the outside of the wearable device 10. Also, by being arranged so as to have an angle in the longitudinal direction of the base 1, it can withstand, to some extent, forces from any direction applied to the wearable device 10 during wearing.

[0045] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a plan view seen from above the wearable device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Similar to the second embodiment, a plurality of rectangular adhesive sheet members 5, that is, the first regions 1B are regularly arranged. In the present embodiment, in a plan view, the first region 1B has a rectangular shape having a side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base, so-called stripe shape.

[0047] Also, in the present embodiment, each rectangular (stripe-shaped) adhesive sheet member 5, that is, the first region 1B is continuously arranged from one end to the other end in the short hand direction over all of the short hand direction of the base 1.

[0048] Although a cross-sectional view in the present embodiment is not particularly shown, similar to the first embodiment, the adhesive sheet member 5, that is, the first region 1B is regularly arranged at the central portion other than the region where the electrode 2 of the base 1 is arranged. Thereby, without extremely degrading the wearing performance of the wearable device 10, it is possible to efficiently expel secretions such as sweat from the skin of the subject through the gaps between the adhesive sheet members 5.

[0049] Further, since it has a rectangular shape and is continuously arranged from one end to the other end in the short hand direction, it is possible to efficiently expel secretions having moisture such as sweat to the outside of the wearable device 10 quickly.

[0050] Also, by being arranged in a rectangular shape having a side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, so-called stripe shape, it is possible to maintain adhesiveness particularly with respect to a specific direction.

[0051] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 9 is a plan view of the wearable device according to the fourth embodiment of this embodiment, as seen from above.

[0052] Similar to the second and third embodiments, a plurality of rectangular adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, are arranged in a regular pattern. In this embodiment, the first region 1B and the second region 1C, where no adhesive sheet members 5 are arranged, are square in shape, with sides parallel to the short and long directions of the base 1, respectively, when viewed from above. The first region 1B and the second region 1C are arranged alternately in a so-called checkerboard pattern.

[0053] Although a cross-sectional view is not specifically shown in this embodiment, the arrangement of the components in a square shape, or so-called checkerboard pattern, with sides parallel to the short and long directions of the base 1, allows for the maintenance of adhesion against stress applied to the wearable device 10 from all directions. As a result, the subject can wear the wearable device 10 stably.

[0054] <Fifth Embodiment> Figure 10 is a plan view from above of a wearable device according to the fifth embodiment of this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, a plurality of circular adhesive sheet members 5, i.e., the first region 1B, are regularly arranged on the base 1.

[0055] However, the difference between the first to fourth embodiments is that the first region 1B on which the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed extends to the edge of the base 1, that is, to the region that overlaps with the electrode 2 when viewed from above.

[0056] In this case, the adhesive sheet member 5 is provided with a conductive material in the region that overlaps with the electrode 2.

[0057] By positioning the first region 1B, which includes the adhesive sheet member 5 up to the area overlapping with the electrode 2 of the base 1, it is possible to efficiently remove secretions such as sweat from the subject's skin through the gaps between the adhesive sheet members 5 without further reducing the wearing performance of the wearable device 10 compared to the first embodiment.

[0058] <Sixth Embodiment> Figure 11 is a plan view of the wearable device according to the sixth embodiment of this embodiment, as seen from above.

[0059] In this embodiment, similar to the fifth embodiment, the first region 1B on which the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed extends to the edge of the base 1, that is, to the region that overlaps with the electrode 2 when viewed from above.

[0060] However, in the fifth embodiment, the relationship between the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed and the second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed is reversed. That is, the first region 1B is placed over the entire first surface 1A of the base 1, and the second region 1C is placed in a regular circular pattern over the entire first surface 1A of the base 1.

[0061] Since the second region 1C is regularly arranged in a circular pattern across the entire first surface 1A of the base 1, the contact area between the adhesive sheet member 5 and the subject's skin can be reduced, thereby suppressing skin irritation. Furthermore, since the first region 1B is arranged across the entire first surface of the base 1, the wearing performance of the wearable device 10 can be stabilized.

[0062] Furthermore, the first region is preferably 50% to 70% of the total area of ​​the first surface of the base 1. If it is 50% or less, the wearability of the wearable device 10 will not reach a practical level, and if it is 70% or more, the effect of suppressing skin irritation will be reduced.

[0063] <Expansion of Embodiments> The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications can be made to the configuration of the present invention that will be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Some or all of the embodiments described above may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following.

[0065] [Note 1] A wearable device comprising: a base including a device for measuring the physiological indicators; electrodes electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member for attaching the base to the skin of a subject, wherein the first surface of the base that is in contact with the skin has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is placed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not placed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes, and the pattern does not overlap with the electrodes. [Note 2] A wearable device comprising: a base whose pattern overlaps with electrodes; a device for measuring the physiological indicators; a connector for connecting the base and the device; electrodes electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member disposed on a first surface of the base for attaching the base to the skin, wherein the first surface has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not disposed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes, and the pattern does not overlap with electrodes. [Note 3] A wearable device comprising: a base including a device for measuring the physiological indicators; electrodes electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member for attaching the base to the skin of a subject, wherein the first surface of the base that is in contact with the skin has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is placed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not placed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes, and the pattern overlaps with the electrodes.[Note 4] A wearable device comprising: a base whose pattern overlaps with electrodes; a device for measuring the physiological indicators; a connector for connecting the base and the device; electrodes electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member disposed on a first surface of the base for attaching the base to the skin, wherein the first surface has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not disposed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes, and the pattern overlaps with electrodes.

[0066] 1...Base, 2...Electrode, 3...Device, electronic circuit, 4...Wiring section, 5...Adhesive sheet material, 6...Connector, 10...Wearable device.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising: a base including a device for measuring physiological indicators; electrodes electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member for attaching the base to the skin of a subject, wherein the first surface of the base that is in contact with the skin has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is placed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not placed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes.

2. A wearable device comprising: a base; a device for measuring the physiological indicators; a connector for connecting the base and the device; electrodes electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive sheet member disposed on a first surface of the base for attaching the base to the skin, wherein the first surface has a first region on which the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region on which the adhesive sheet member is not disposed, and at least the first region and the second region have a regular pattern composed of a plurality of identical shapes.

3. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pattern has a circular shape in the first region when viewed from above.

4. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pattern has a rectangular shape in the first region when viewed from above.

5. The wearable device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pattern has a rectangular shape in which the first region is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base when viewed from above.

6. The wearable device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pattern has a stripe shape in which the first region has a rectangular shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base when viewed from above.

7. The wearable device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pattern has a checkerboard shape in the first region when viewed from above.

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