Wearable device

Abstract

A wearable device according to the present invention is provided with: a base including a device for measuring physiological parameters; an electrode electrically connected to the device; and an adhesive sheet member for attaching the base to the skin of a subject. A first surface of the base, which comes into contact with the skin, 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.

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 disposed on a first surface of the base for attaching the base to the skin, wherein the first surface has a first region where the adhesive sheet member is disposed and a second region where the adhesive sheet member is not disposed.

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

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

[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, electrodes 2, a device 3, a wiring section 4, and an adhesive sheet member 5. The base 1 has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The adhesive sheet member 5 has sufficient adhesion to attach the wearable device 10 to the subject's skin. Furthermore, the adhesive sheet member 5 is conductive, allowing electrical conduction between the electrode 2 and the subject's skin, and enabling the acquisition of biosignals for obtaining physiological indicators from the subject. The parts other than the electrode do not need to be conductive; materials advantageous for the aforementioned adhesive properties may be used.

[0019] 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.

[0020] In this embodiment, 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. In this embodiment, the area on the first surface 1A where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is defined as the first area 1B, and the area where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed is defined as the second area 1C (see the cross-sectional view in Figure 2).

[0021] In this embodiment, when viewed from above in a plan view, the first region 1B on which the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is positioned to overlap at least with the electrode 2. In this embodiment, the first region 1B is larger than the area on which the electrode 2 is placed and is positioned in a circular shape to completely cover the area on which the electrode 2 is placed. Furthermore, when viewed from above in a plan view, the first region 1B is positioned in a region that includes the central part of the device 3. In this embodiment, the planar shape of the first region 1B (adhesive sheet member 5) is rectangular, and in the short-side direction of the base 1, it is positioned to be longer than the length of the short side of the device 3. On the other hand, in the longitudinal direction of the base 1, it is positioned to be shorter than the length of the long side of the device 3.

[0022] The point in the center of the electronic circuit 3 indicates the centroid of the electronic circuit 3, and in this embodiment, the first region 1B is positioned in a region that reliably includes the centroid.

[0023] In the first surface 1A, the area other than the area where the first region 1B is located is a second region (1C) where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not located.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This cross-sectional view shows the cross-section along the line A-A in Figure 1.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The area where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is the first area and is shown as 1B, and the second area where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed is shown as 1C. In other words, on the first surface 1A of the base 1 that comes into contact with the skin of the subject wearing the wearable device 10, the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed in the first area 1B, which is the area where it is necessary to place the adhesive sheet member 5, and the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed in the other second areas.

[0029] In the portion where electrode 2 and the first region 1B overlap, the adhesive sheet member 5 has both adhesive properties and conductivity. This ensures that the conductivity necessary for driving the electronic circuit 3 of the wearable device 10 is maintained while maintaining adhesive properties.

[0030] Furthermore, as explained in Figure 1, the adhesive sheet member 5, i.e., the first region 1B, is positioned in the central part of the electronic circuit 3 in the A-A cross-section, and is positioned in a region that reliably includes the center of gravity of the electronic circuit 3.

[0031] Furthermore, the first region 1B required for the adhesive sheet member 5 is the region containing the center of gravity of the electronic circuit. By making the region containing the center of gravity the first region 1B, the electronic circuit 3, which accounts for a large proportion of the total weight of the wearable device 10, can be efficiently supported.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first region 1B extends beyond the region of the electronic circuit 3 in the shorter direction of the sheet. This allows for more stable support of the heavy electronic circuit 3.

[0033] The area between the first region 1B located beneath the electrode 2 and the first region 1B located beneath the electronic circuit 3 is a second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not present. In other words, the wiring portion 4 other than the vicinity of the electrode 2, and the vicinity of the end of the electronic circuit 3 are the second region 1C. By arranging the second region 1C, skin irritation caused by the adhesive sheet member 5 can be suppressed.

[0034] As shown in this embodiment, by appropriately arranging the first region 1B and the second region 1C, the area of ​​the adhesive sheet material used can be reduced compared to conventional methods while maintaining the necessary adhesiveness. Therefore, skin irritation of the subject wearing the wearable device 10 can be suppressed.

[0035] Although not shown in Figure 2, the second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed is left as a void, but instead of a void, a moisture-permeable material may be placed there. This allows for appropriate permeability of moisture such as sweat from the subject's skin while protecting the wearable device 10.

[0036] <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.

[0037] Figure 3 is a plan view of a wearable device as seen from above, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The difference from the first embodiment is that, when viewed from above in a plan view, the first region 1B is located in the region containing the center of gravity of the device 3, but is not located outside the region of the electronic circuit 3. Also, the planar shape of the first region 1B is circular, unlike in the first embodiment. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This cross-sectional view shows the cross-section along the line B-B in Figure 3.

[0040] Similar to the first embodiment, the first region 1B is positioned at the center of gravity of the electronic circuit 3, but the ratio of the width of the first region 1B to the width of the electronic circuit 3 is smaller than that of the first embodiment.

[0041] In the second embodiment, it is suitable for the wearable device 10 having the electronic circuit 3 lighter than the electronic circuit 3 of the first embodiment. This is because the use of the adhesive sheet member 5 can be further reduced. Since the area of the first region can be made smaller than that of the first embodiment, skin irritation of the subject can be further suppressed.

[0042] <Third Embodiment> For parts that overlap with the description of the first embodiment, the description will be omitted, and the points mainly different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a plan view seen from above the wearable device, showing a configuration example of the wearable device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The difference from the first embodiment is that the electronic circuit 3 as the device 3 is external, that is, it is outside the base 1 and is electrically and physically connected to the wiring part 4 via the connector 6. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment.

[0045] Similar to the first and second embodiments, when viewed from above, the electronic circuit 3 is arranged at the center of the base 1.

[0046] The connector 6 has a function of electrically connecting the electronic circuit 3 and the wiring part 4. A total of two connectors 6 are arranged, one near each longitudinal end of the electronic circuit 3. Further, the connector 6 has a function of making the electronic circuit 3 in the wearable device 10 detachable.

[0047] Examples of the connector 6 include snap buttons such as American snaps, but are not limited thereto. In addition to snap buttons, magnet hooks or the like may be used.

[0048] Similar to the first and second embodiments, the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is arranged is arranged so as to overlap at least the electrode 2. In the present embodiment, it is arranged in a circular shape larger than the area where the electrode 2 is arranged and completely covers it.

[0049] Furthermore, the first region 1B is positioned so as to at least overlap with the position where the connector 6 is located when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the first region 1B is larger than the area where the connector 6 is located and is positioned in a circular shape so as to completely cover the area where the connector 6 is located.

[0050] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This cross-sectional view shows the cross-section along the line C-C in Figure 5.

[0051] It has been shown that the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is larger than the region where the electrode 2 and connector 6 are placed.

[0052] Since the first region 1B is located at the position of connector 6, connector 6 can be attached more firmly to the subject's skin than other parts. This stabilizes the electrical connection between the electronic circuit 3 and the wiring section 4 via connector 6.

[0053] The area between the electrode 2 and the connector 6 is a second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed. By providing the second region 1C, skin irritation caused by the adhesive sheet member 5 can be suppressed.

[0054] Although not shown in Figure 6, the second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not placed is left as a void, but a breathable material may be placed there instead. This allows for appropriate permeability of moisture such as sweat from the subject's skin while protecting the wearable device 10.

[0055] As shown in this embodiment, by appropriately arranging the first region 1B and the second region 1C, the area of ​​the adhesive sheet material used can be reduced compared to conventional methods while maintaining the necessary adhesiveness. Furthermore, the connection between the electronic circuit and the wiring can also be stabilized. Therefore, skin irritation of the subject wearing the wearable device can be suppressed without impairing the functionality of the wearable device.

[0056] <Fourth Embodiment> Parts that overlap with the descriptions of the first and third embodiments will be omitted, and the differences from these embodiments will be explained.

[0057] Figure 7 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 fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The difference from the third embodiment is that, as shown in Figure 7, the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is not limited to the electrode 2 and connector 6, but also includes the region where the wiring section 4 is placed. In this embodiment, the first region 1B is continuously arranged from the electrode 2 to the wiring section 4. Also, the first region 1B is continuously arranged from the wiring section 4 to the connector 6. Otherwise, it is the same as the third embodiment.

[0059] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a wearable device, showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This cross-sectional view shows the cross-section along the line D-D in Figure 7.

[0060] In the cross-section including the wiring section 4, the first region 1B where the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is continuously arranged from the region including the end of the electrode 2 through the wiring section 4 to the region where the connector 6 is placed.

[0061] In the cross-sectional view of Figure 8, the second region 1C is located in the vicinity of the end of the first surface 1A of the base 1 and the central part of the electronic circuit 3. As shown in the plan view of Figure 7, the area other than the vicinity where the wiring section 4 is located is the second region 1C where the adhesive sheet member 5 is not located.

[0062] Since the first region 1B on which the adhesive sheet member 5 is placed is located in the region on which the wiring portion 4 is placed, the conductivity of the wiring portion 4 can be stabilized. Therefore, the electrical connection state between the electrode 2 and the electronic circuit 3 can be stabilized.

[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 physiological indicators; 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. [Note 2] A wearable device comprising: a base; a device for measuring 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. [Note 3] The wearable device according to Note 2, wherein the first region is disposed so as to at least overlap with the position on which the connector is disposed in a plan view. [Note 4] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that the first region is located on at least a part of the electrode in a plan view. [Note 5] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 4, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit, and the first region is located in a region including the center of gravity of the electronic circuit in a plan view. [Note 6] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 5, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit, and includes a wiring section for electrically connecting the electronic circuit and the electrode, and the first region is located so as to at least overlap with the location where the wiring section is located in a plan view. [Note 7] The wearable device according to any of Notes 1 to 6, characterized in that a breathable material is located in the second region.

[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 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.

2. The wearable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first region is located on at least a portion of the electrode in a plan view.

3. The wearable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit, and the first region is located in a region that includes the center of gravity of the electronic circuit in a plan view.

4. The wearable device according to claim 1, characterized in that a breathable material is arranged in the second region.

5. A wearable device comprising: a base; a device for measuring 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.

6. The wearable device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first region is arranged to at least overlap with the position where the connector is located in a plan view.

7. The wearable device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the device is an electronic circuit and comprises a wiring portion for electrically connecting the electronic circuit and the electrode, and the first region is arranged to at least overlap with the position where the wiring portion is located in a plan view.

8. The wearable device according to claim 5, characterized in that a breathable material is arranged in the second region.

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