Wearable device

Abstract

This wearable device has: a flexible base including a device for measuring a physiological indicator; a first attachment electrode that is connected to the base through a first connector and is electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device in order to measure the physiological indicator; a second attachment electrode that is connected to the base through a second connector and is electrically connected to the skin of the subject and the device in order to measure the physiological indicator; and an attachment member that is brought into contact with the skin of the subject, is connected to the base through a third connector, and is disposed on a straight line connecting the first attachment electrode and the second attachment electrode and between the first attachment electrode and the second attachment electrode.

Description

Wearable device

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

[0002] By attaching electrodes with adhesiveness to a substrate provided with electrical wiring or the like and wearing the wearable device on the skin of a subject, an electrical signal, which is one of the physiological indices of the living body, can be acquired. In many cases, a pair of electrodes is used to acquire an electrical signal.

[0003] Utility Model No. 3005515

[0004] However, in the configuration as described above, although the base is fixed to the skin of the subject by the electrodes, the space between the electrodes is not fixed, and a gap is formed between the base and the skin. Particularly when the base has flexibility, it can be easily displaced in the vertical direction from the skin toward the base. When such a displacement causes shaking of the base, stress is applied to the electrodes, and the contact state with the skin becomes unstable, which causes noise to be mixed into the measured electrical signal.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable device capable of reducing noise of physiological indices due to shaking of the base.

[0006] The present invention is a wearable device, comprising: a flexible base including a device for measuring physiological indices; a first attachment electrode connected to the base via a first connector and electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indices; a second attachment electrode connected to the base via a second connector and electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indices; and an attachment member connected to the base via a third connector and disposed on a straight line connecting the first attachment electrode and the second attachment electrode and between the first attachment electrode and the second attachment electrode.

[0007] According to the wearable device of the present invention, the wearing state of the base on the skin can be stabilized, and noise of the acquired physiological indices can be reduced.

[0008] Figure 1 is a top view of the wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a top view of the wearable device according to the second embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable device according to the second embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a top view of the wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment.

[0009] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a plan view of a wearable device as seen from above, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of a wearable device as seen from below, according to the first embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of this embodiment, and is a cross-section of the wearable device along the line A-A in Figure 1.

[0010] 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.

[0011] The wearable device 10 of this embodiment includes a base 1, adhesive electrodes 2, adhesive members 3, a connector 4, and a device 5. The base 1 has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0012] Base 1 is flexible and has a roughly rectangular shape as shown in Figure 1. Base 1 can be made of silicone rubber, polyethylene, foamed polyethylene, polyimide, PET, PP, etc., but is not limited to these materials.

[0013] The adhesive electrodes 2 are arranged in pairs, with the first adhesive electrode 2A positioned near one end of the base 1 in the longitudinal direction, and the second adhesive electrode 2B positioned near the other end. As shown in Figure 3, the adhesive electrodes 2 are connected to the base 1 by connectors 4. In this embodiment, the first adhesive electrode 2A is connected to the base 1 by a first connector 4A, and the second adhesive electrode is connected to the base 1 by a second connector 4B. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode have a substantially circular shape when viewed from above (or below) in plan view.

[0014] The adhesive electrode 2 preferably has some degree of flexibility, and while a commonly available gel electrode can be used, it is not limited to these.

[0015] The adhesive electrodes 2A and 2B are in direct contact with the skin of the subject wearing the wearable device 10, and have the function of receiving physiological indicators of the subject, such as biosignals, as well as the function of fixing the wearable device 10 to the subject's skin.

[0016] The adhesive member 3 is positioned in the center of the base 1 and is located on the straight line connecting the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode 2B, between the two adhesive electrodes 2A and 2B. The adhesive member 3 is connected to the base 1 by a third connector 4C.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the adhesive member 3 has a roughly circular shape when viewed from above (or below) in a plan view. Similar to the adhesive electrode 2, the adhesive member 3 has the function of contacting the subject's skin and fixing the wearable device 10 to the subject's skin.

[0018] The adhesive member 3 preferably has a certain degree of flexibility, and a general commercially available gel electrode identical to the adhesive electrode 2 can be used. By using the same gel electrode as the adhesive electrode 2, the manufacturing cost of the wearable device 10 can be reduced.

[0019] However, the adhesive member 3 is not limited to these. The adhesive member 3 does not have to be the same as the adhesive electrode 2, and it is also possible to use a member that suppresses the movement caused by the displacement of the flexible base 1 more effectively than the adhesive electrode.

[0020] The connectors 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) have the function of making the adhesive electrodes 2 (2A, 2B) and the adhesive members 3 detachable. They also have the function of electrically connecting the device 5 (described later) and the adhesive electrodes 2.

[0021] Examples of connector 4 include, but are not limited to, snap buttons such as American snaps. Other types of fasteners, such as magnetic clasps, may also be used.

[0022] Device 5 is a device that measures physiological indicators of a subject wearing the wearable device 10, and in this embodiment, device 5 is an electronic circuit 5. Measurement of physiological indicators includes, for example, the continuous measurement of electrocardiogram patterns over a long period of time in daily life in order to detect heart disease early.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electronic circuit 5 is a built-in type contained within the base 1. When viewed from above (or below) in a plan view, it 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, and is located in a region including the central part of the base 1.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3, the electronic circuit 5 is electrically connected via the first adhesive electrode 2A, the first connector 4A, and a wiring section (not shown). Similarly, the electronic circuit 5 is electrically connected via the second adhesive electrode 2B, the second connector 4B, and a wiring section.

[0025] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the adhesive member 3 is positioned to overlap with the electronic circuit 5 in a plan view, and in this embodiment, it is positioned to overlap with the central part of the electronic circuit 5.

[0026] In this way, by positioning the adhesive member 3 between the adhesive electrodes 2A and 2B, the gap between the base 1 and the skin of the subject wearing the wearable device 10 is filled, reducing the displacement of the base 1. Furthermore, the adhesive member 3 also suppresses the displacement of the base 1 by making contact with the subject's skin.

[0027] Furthermore, by placing the adhesive member 3 in the center of the base 1 where the relatively heavy electronic circuit 5 is located, the base 1 can be supported more strongly, and vibrations caused by the displacement of the base 1 can be suppressed.

[0028] By positioning the adhesive member 3 on a straight line connecting the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode 2B, the mechanical movement of the base 1 can be further suppressed.

[0029] By suppressing the movement of base 1, the stress applied to the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode 2B is also reduced, allowing for more stable contact with the subject's skin. By maintaining a more stable contact with the subject's skin, the noise in the electrical signals measured by the electronic circuit 5, which is a device 5 for measuring biosignals, an example of physiological indicators, is reduced, enabling more accurate measurements.

[0030] As a modification of this embodiment, if the adhesive member 3 is the same as the adhesive electrode 2, the adhesive member 3 can be electrically connected to the electronic circuit 3 via the third connector 4C and can also function as a ground electrode or an indifferent electrode. Furthermore, since the number of components constituting the wearable device 10 can be reduced, the product cost can be lowered.

[0031] <Second Embodiment> Parts that overlap with the description of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail.

[0032] Figure 4 is a plan view of a wearable device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable device according to the second embodiment of this invention, and is a cross-section of the wearable device along line B-B in Figure 4. Note that the plan view of the second embodiment viewed from below is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment and is therefore omitted from the illustration.

[0033] The difference from the first embodiment is that the electronic circuit 5, which is the device 5, is of an external type, that is, it is located outside the base 1 and is electrically and physically connected to the wiring section via the fourth connector 4D. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment.

[0034] The electronic circuit 5, which serves as a device 5 for measuring physiological indicators of a subject wearing the wearable device 10, is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, with its longer side in the longitudinal direction of the base 1 and its shorter side in the transverse direction of the base 1, and is positioned in a region including the central part of the base 1.

[0035] The electronic circuit 5 is physically joined to the base 1 by the fourth connector 4D, and is electrically connected to the wiring section (not shown) located on the base 1, and to the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode 2B via the first connector 4A and the second connector 4B. The fourth connector 4D has the function of electrically connecting the device 5 to the wiring section of the base 1. The fourth connector 4D also has the function of making the electronic circuit 5, which is the device 5, detachable from the base 1.

[0036] In a wearable device 10 like this embodiment, the electronic circuit 5, which is device 5, is detachable from the base 1 by a connector 4D. Therefore, compared to a device where the electronic circuit 5 is built into the base 1, the load caused by vibration due to displacement of the base 1 is more likely to be applied to the entire wearable device 10.

[0037] In this embodiment, the adhesive member 3 is placed in the central part of the base 1, where displacement of the base 1 is likely to occur, and in a position that overlaps with the electronic circuit 5 when viewed from above. This suppresses the displacement of the base 1, and reduces the load on the wearable device 10 caused by the movement of the base 1, thereby stabilizing the wearer's comfort.

[0038] <Third Embodiment> Parts that overlap with the description of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the explanation will mainly focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a plan view from above of a wearable device showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a plan view from below of a wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device according to the third embodiment of this embodiment, and is a cross-section of the wearable device along the line C-C in Figure 3.

[0039] The difference from the first embodiment is that the base 1 of the wearable device 10 is longer in its longitudinal direction than in the first embodiment.

[0040] In this embodiment, two adhesive members 3 are positioned between the first adhesive electrode 2A and the second adhesive electrode 2B. Furthermore, these two adhesive members 3 are positioned so that, when viewed from above, they include the longitudinal end of the electronic circuit 5.

[0041] In this way, by using two adhesive members 3, the gap between the base 1 and the skin of the subject wearing the wearable device 10 is further filled, reducing the displacement of the base 1. In addition, by contacting the subject's skin with the two adhesive members 3, the wearable device 10 can be stably fixed to the subject.

[0042] Furthermore, by placing two adhesive members 3 on the base 1, where the relatively heavy electronic circuit 5 is located, the base 1 can be supported more strongly, and vibrations caused by the displacement of the base 1 can be suppressed.

[0043] Also, similar to the first embodiment, the attachment member 3 is arranged on the straight line connecting the first attachment electrode 2A and the second attachment electrode 2B, so that the mechanical sway of the base 1 can be further suppressed.

[0044] In this embodiment, an example in which two attachment members 3 are arranged is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the wearable device 10 in which the longitudinal direction of the base 1 is longer, three or more attachment members 3 may be arranged.

[0045] <Expansion of the embodiment> Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the configuration of the present invention, various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Some or all of the embodiments described above may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: [Note 1] A wearable device comprising: a flexible base including a device for measuring physiological indicators; a first adhesive electrode connected to the base via a first connector and electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; a second adhesive electrode connected to the base via a second connector and electrically connected to the skin of a subject and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive member attached to the skin, connected to the base via a third connector, and positioned between the first and second adhesive electrodes on a straight line connecting the first and second adhesive electrodes. [Note 2] A wearable device comprising: a flexible base; a device for measuring physiological indicators connected to the base via a fourth connector; a first adhesive electrode connected to the base via a first connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; a second adhesive electrode connected to the base via a second connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive member attached to the skin, connected to the base via a third connector, and positioned between the first and second adhesive electrodes on a straight line connecting the first and second adhesive electrodes. [Note 3] The wearable device according to Note 1 or Note 2, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit, and the adhesive member is positioned to overlap with the electronic circuit in a plan view. [Note 4] The wearable device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that two or more adhesive members are provided. [Note 5] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 4, characterized in that the adhesive member is the same as the electrode.[Note 6] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 5, characterized in that the adhesive member is electrically connected to the device via the third connector and functions as a ground electrode or an indifferent electrode. [Note 7] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 5, characterized in that the adhesive member does not function as an electrode.

[0047] 1...Base, 2, 2A, 2B...Adhesive electrodes, 3...Adhesive material, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D...Connectors, 5...Device, electronic circuit, ...Connector, 10...Wearable device.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising: a flexible base including a device for measuring physiological indicators; a first adhesive electrode connected to the base via a first connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; a second adhesive electrode connected to the base via a second connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive member attached to the skin, connected to the base via a third connector, and positioned between the first and second adhesive electrodes on a straight line connecting the first and second adhesive electrodes.

2. A wearable device comprising: a flexible base; a device for measuring physiological indicators connected to the base via a fourth connector; a first adhesive electrode connected to the base via a first connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; a second adhesive electrode connected to the base via a second connector and electrically connected to the subject's skin and the device for measuring the physiological indicators; and an adhesive member attached to the skin, connected to the base via a third connector, and positioned between the first and second adhesive electrodes on a straight line connecting the first and second adhesive electrodes.

3. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit and the adhesive member is positioned to overlap with the electronic circuit in a plan view.

4. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two or more of the adhesive members are arranged.

5. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive member is the same as the electrode.

6. The wearable device according to claim 5, characterized in that the adhesive member is electrically connected to the device via the third connector and functions as a ground electrode or an indifferent electrode.

7. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive member does not function as an electrode.

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