Smart ring device for electrocardiography

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart ring device for electrocardiography. The smart ring device comprises: a first electrode which is in contact with a finger of a user while worn on the finger; an insulating spacer surrounding the first electrode; a circuit board which is disposed outside the insulating spacer and connected to the first electrode; an arc-shaped insulating cover covering the circuit board; a second electrode which is exposed to the outside of the insulating cover while connected to the circuit board and can come into contact with the body of the user; a third electrode which is coupled to the outside of the insulating spacer and connected to the circuit board, and can come into contact with the body; and a signal processing unit which is mounted on the circuit board and processes biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes. The smart ring device for electrocardiography of the present invention having the above configuration is in the form of a ring and thus very convenient to carry, and in particular, can simultaneously collect electrical signals from three different parts of the body through the three electrodes, and thus is able to obtain more accurate electrocardiography data.

Description

Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable measuring device capable of measuring an electrocardiogram of the human body, and more specifically, to a smart ring device for measuring an electrocardiogram that takes the form of a ring and can be conveniently used anytime and anywhere.

[0002] An electrocardiogram (ECG) detection device is a medical device used for various clinical diagnoses related to heart disease, and can diagnose symptoms such as myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, as well as detect and warn of sudden heart abnormalities in people who have heart disease or are suspected of having heart disease at an early stage.

[0003] The electrocardiogram (ECG) detection device used in hospitals consists of a main unit and multiple electrodes connected to the main unit. The electrodes are attached to the skin, but a gel is applied beforehand. The gel enhances electrical conductivity, enabling more accurate collection of ECG signals.

[0004] However, conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) detection devices are bulky and inconvenient to move, making them burdensome to use. Furthermore, there is the inconvenience of having to attach electrodes to the patient's body one by one. Additionally, the gel applied to the skin can cause discomfort to the patient. In particular, as these devices are used exclusively in hospitals, continuous monitoring of ECG data is not possible because the user cannot wear them while going about their daily life.

[0005] Due to these inconveniences, wearable devices for monitoring electrocardiograms are also being used recently. However, while wearable electrocardiogram sensors can be mounted on the body, they are inconvenient to carry and have the disadvantage of detecting signals only in limited areas. For instance, since it is not possible to simultaneously collect electrical signals from both hands and legs, a 6-lead test cannot be performed.

[0006] There is a demand for a highly reliable portable measuring device that can measure electrocardiograms more conveniently and collect biosignals from various parts of the body. In this regard, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2501809 (Wearable electrocardiogram monitoring device) has been proposed.

[0007] The present invention was created to resolve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a smart ring device for measuring electrocardiograms that takes the form of a ring, is easy to carry, and can obtain more accurate electrocardiogram data.

[0008] The smart ring device for measuring an electrocardiogram according to the present invention, as a means of solving the problem for achieving the above objective, comprises: a first electrode that contacts the finger while being worn on the user's finger; an insulating spacer that surrounds the first electrode; a circuit board disposed on the outer side of the insulating spacer and connected to the first electrode; an arc-shaped insulating cover that covers the circuit board; a second electrode that is exposed to the outside of the insulating cover while connected to the circuit board and capable of contacting the user's body; a third electrode that is coupled to the outer side of the insulating spacer, connected to the circuit board, and capable of contacting the human body; and a signal processing unit mounted on the circuit board and processing biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes.

[0009] In addition, the third electrode has a partial arc shape, and both ends are connected to an insulating cover, forming a ring shape together with the insulating cover.

[0010] In addition, a through hole is formed in the central part of the insulating cover, and the second electrode protrudes to the outside of the insulating cover through the through hole.

[0011] In addition, the signal processing unit includes a sensor module that detects biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes, and a control unit that receives and analyzes biosignals from the sensor module.

[0012] In addition, a communication module is further included that receives processing data from the control unit and transmits it externally.

[0013] In addition, the insulating spacer is provided with a sensor cap that accommodates a sensor module mounted on a circuit board and protrudes inwardly from the first electrode.

[0014] The smart ring device for measuring an electrocardiogram according to the present invention, as described above, takes the form of a ring, making it very easy to carry, and in particular, it can simultaneously collect electrical signals from three places on the body through three electrodes, thereby enabling more accurate electrocardiogram data to be obtained.

[0015] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are perspective views illustrating the external appearance of a smart ring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the smart ring device illustrated in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 4 is a disassembled view of the first electrode and substrate of Figure 3.

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the smart ring device illustrated in Figure 1.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a smart ring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Hereinafter, one embodiment according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] Basically, the smart ring device (10) of the present embodiment takes the form of a ring worn on a finger. The user can wear it on their finger like a ring and perform an electrocardiogram test at any time depending on their condition. For example, when the heart beats faster than usual or when the user is short of breath, an electrocardiogram test can be performed immediately on the spot.

[0022] In addition, electrocardiogram data analyzed by the smart ring device (10) can be transmitted in real time to the smartphone of the person or their guardian or to a terminal at the hospital (where the attending physician is located).

[0023] In particular, the smart ring device (10) of this embodiment is capable of performing the same inspection as 6-LEAD inspection, even though it takes the shape of a ring.

[0024] As is known, the 6-LEAD test performed in hospitals is a type of electrocardiogram that uses six electrodes to monitor the electrical activity of the heart—that is, the heart's rhythm and electrical activity—and to look for abnormal patterns.

[0025] The 6-LEAD test can record electrical changes in the heart along horizontal and vertical axes. Specifically, electrical signals of the heart can be observed horizontally by examining the potential difference between the right arm (RA) and the left arm (LA), and the state of the heart's rhythm can be observed by examining the potential difference between the right arm (RA) and the left leg (LL). Additionally, vertical changes in electrical signals can be identified through the potential difference between the left arm (LA) and the left leg (LL). Furthermore, it allows for the analysis of electrical signals on the right side of the heart by comparing them with other electrodes relative to the right arm, the analysis of electrical activity in the upper left region of the heart relative to the left arm, and the observation of electrical activity in the lower region of the heart relative to the left leg.

[0026] In this embodiment, the smart ring device (10) is equipped with three independent electrodes, so it can perform a 6-LEAD test. That is, when the first terminal, which will be described later, is worn on, for example, the right finger, the second terminal is brought into contact with the left hand, and the third terminal is brought into contact with the left leg, a 6-LEAD test is performed.

[0027] The smart ring device (10) of the present embodiment is worn like a ring, so unlike electrocardiogram measuring devices attached to the wrist or chest, it has the feature of allowing heart health to be monitored more conveniently in daily life. In addition, the smart ring device (10) can be linked with the user's or guardian's smartphone, and furthermore, wirelessly connected to a hospital's data server to share measurement data in real time.

[0028] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are perspective views illustrating the external appearance of a smart ring device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As described above, the smart ring device (10) of the present embodiment has the shape of a ring that can be fitted onto a finger. A first electrode (11) is formed on the inner surface of the smart ring device (10), that is, on the inward surface that contacts the finger. When a user puts the smart ring device (10) on their finger, the skin of the finger comes into contact with the first electrode (11). In addition, a second electrode (21) is located at the center of the upper part of the drawing in FIG. 1, and a third electrode (23) is located at the lower part. The first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23) are mutually insulated and operate independently. It is preferable to put the smart ring device (10) on the finger of the right hand.

[0030] The second electrode (21) can come into contact with the hand opposite to the hand on which the ring is worn. For example, if the smart ring device (10) is worn on the fingers of the right hand, the fingers or palm of the opposite hand, or even the wrist, are brought into close contact with the second electrode (21). The second electrode (21) has a round shape like a button and protrudes above the insulating cover (25). The description of the insulating cover (25) will be given later. Since the second electrode (21) protrudes above, the position of the second electrode (21) can be confirmed by touch without necessarily checking it visually.

[0031] The third electrode (23) is located on the opposite side of the second electrode (21). The third electrode (23) takes the shape of an arc. The third electrode (23) is in contact with the user's left leg, such as the ankle. While sitting on the floor, the user can perform an examination by placing their left hand on the second electrode (21) while the third electrode (23) is in close contact with their leg.

[0032] In particular, the smart ring device (10) can be turned on by pressing the second electrode (21) twice in a short time or by pressing it for a set time (e.g., 3 to 5 seconds). Also, if there is no usage command for a set time, it automatically turns off. These on / off operations can be implemented by a control unit (31) mounted on a circuit board (17).

[0033] The above first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23) can be made of stainless steel.

[0034] Reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1 is a sensor cap. The sensor cap (14) accommodates a sensor module (27 in FIG. 5) inside it. The sensor cap (14) is molded from synthetic resin and protrudes inward through the first electrode (11). Since the sensor cap (14) protrudes inward, the first electrode (11) does not rotate freely. Because the sensor cap (14) rubs against the skin of the finger, there is no phenomenon of it rotating freely.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the smart ring device (10) shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first electrode and substrate of FIG. 3 exploded. Also, FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the smart ring device shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] As described above, the smart ring device (10) according to the present embodiment includes a first electrode (11), an insulating spacer (13), a circuit board (17), an insulating cover (25), a second electrode (21), a third electrode (23), and a signal processing unit.

[0037] The first electrode (11) is a ring-shaped member that comes into contact with the finger while being fitted onto the user's finger. As mentioned, the first electrode (11) can be made of stainless steel. A small current supplied from the battery (29) flows through the first electrode (11). Also, as shown in FIG. 4, two through holes (11a) are formed in the first electrode (11). The through holes (11a) are holes into which the sensor cap (14) is fitted.

[0038] The insulating spacer (13) is a ring-shaped synthetic resin member that is integral with the first electrode (11). The insulating spacer (13) can be manufactured by an insert injection molding method. The insulating spacer (13) surrounds the first electrode (11) and separates the first electrode (11) from the circuit board (17).

[0039] Additionally, two sensor caps (14) are integrally formed on the insulating spacer (13). The sensor caps (14) protrude inward and pass through the through hole (11a) of the first electrode (11). As mentioned, the sensor caps (14) receive and support the sensor module (27) mounted on the circuit board (17).

[0040] The circuit board (17) is placed on the outside of the insulating spacer (13) and is connected to the first electrode (11), the second electrode (21), and the third electrode (23), respectively. The circuit board may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). Three connectors (19) are mounted on the circuit board (17).

[0041] The connector (19) is an electrical connection component and is individually connected to the first electrode (11), the second electrode (21), and the third electrode (23). That is, the first electrode (11), the second electrode (21), and the third electrode (23) are connected to the circuit board (17) through the connector (19).

[0042] The insulating cover (25) is a part molded from synthetic resin and has an arc shape. The insulating cover (25) is combined with the insulating spacer (13) while covering the circuit board (17). As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit board (17) and the battery (29) are sealed in the inner space of the insulating cover (25).

[0043] Additionally, a through hole (25a) is formed in the center of the insulating cover (25). The through hole (25a) is a hole that exposes a portion of the second electrode (21) to the outside of the insulating cover (25). A portion of the second electrode (21), which is connected to the circuit board (17) through the connector (19), protrudes to the outside through the through hole (25a). As previously mentioned, the second electrode (21) is also made of stainless steel.

[0044] The second electrode (21) is connected to the circuit board (17) through the connector (19), exposed to the outside of the insulating cover, and comes into close contact with the user's body. For example, it comes into close contact with the hand opposite to the hand wearing the ring.

[0045] Additionally, the third electrode (23) is coupled to the outer side of the insulating spacer (13) and connected to the circuit board (17) through the connector (19). The third electrode (23) is made of stainless steel and has a partial arc shape, and both ends are coupled to both ends of the insulating cover (25). The third electrode (23) has the same curvature as the insulating cover (25) and together with the insulating cover (25) it takes the shape of a ring. As shown in FIG. 5, since the third electrode (23) is located on the opposite side of the second electrode (21), there is no risk of the second electrode (21) and the third electrode (23) simultaneously coming into contact with the same part of the human body.

[0046] Meanwhile, the signal processing unit is mounted on the circuit board (17) and processes biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23). The signal processing unit receives the signals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23), filters them to remove noise, converts them into digital signals, analyzes them, and transmits the analysis results to an external device (37 in FIG. 6). The description of the signal processing unit will be provided through FIG. 6.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a smart ring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As described above, the signal processing unit may include a sensor module (27), a control unit (31), a communication module (35), and a memory unit (33). The sensor module (27), the control unit (31), the communication module (35), and the memory unit (33) are connected to a circuit formed on the circuit board (17).

[0049] The sensor module (27) is an element housed inside the sensor cap (14) described above and detects biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes. In this embodiment, the sensor module (27) detects biosignals collected through each electrode (11, 21, 23), removes noise, and converts the biosignals, which are analog signals, into digital signals.

[0050] Additionally, the control unit (31) receives and analyzes the biosignal transmitted from the sensor module (27). That is, it can process the received digital signal to extract information such as heart rate and arrhythmia. The control unit (31) first stores the extracted data in the memory unit (33) and simultaneously transmits it to an external device (37) through the communication module (35).

[0051] The communication module (35) receives processing data from the control unit and transmits it to an external device (37) via a wireless communication method such as Bluetooth. The external device may be a data server at a hospital where a user wearing the smart ring device (10), or a user’s guardian or attending physician is located. The user can check their heart rate and electrocardiogram records in real time through a linked app, and the attending physician can check the user's (patient's) health status based on the wirelessly received data.

[0052] The control unit (31) can output all signals related to the operation of the smart ring device (10). For example, as described above, the control unit (31) can implement the following: turning on the device by pressing the second electrode (21) twice in a short time, turning it on by pressing it for a set time (e.g., 3 to 5 seconds), or automatically switching to an off state if there is no usage command for a set time. The battery (29) supplies power to the first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23) and the circuit board (17).

[0053] The method for measuring an electrocardiogram using the smart ring device (10) according to the present embodiment configured as above is as follows.

[0054] If the user has the smart ring device (10) on the fingers of the right hand, the left hand is placed over the right hand, and the left hand is pressed against the second electrode (21). It is acceptable to press the fingers, palm, or wrist of the left hand against it. At the same time, the hand is extended to press the third electrode (23) against the left leg. For example, it can be pressed against the ankle or thigh of the left leg.

[0055] In this state, the second electrode (21) is touched or pressed for a set time to turn on the device (10). The method of activating the device (10) may vary.

[0056] When the smart ring device (10) is activated, the first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23) detect minute electrical signals generated on the surface of the skin. That is, the first, second, and third electrodes (11, 21, 23) simultaneously collect biosignals from three locations on the body and transmit the collected information to the circuit board (17). The signals transmitted to the circuit board are converted into data by the sensor module (27) and the control unit (31), then stored in the memory unit and simultaneously transmitted to an external device (37).

[0057] As described above, the smart ring device (10) according to the present embodiment can be used as a tool to measure electrocardiogram data according to the user's own condition or on a regular basis. Through this, the user can regularly monitor their heart health.

[0058] In addition, in the smart ring device (10) according to the present embodiment, the external exposure area of ​​the second electrode (21) is relatively narrower than that of the third electrode (23), and the third electrode (23) is located opposite the second electrode (21). Furthermore, since the second electrode (21), which has a narrow area, is contacted by a finger with a high degree of freedom, the problem of the second electrode (21) and the third electrode (23) being simultaneously contacted by a finger or a leg, which prevents the biosignal from being properly sensed, can be resolved. Additionally, the third electrode (23) has a relatively wider area than the second electrode (21), so it can be easily contacted by the leg, etc.

[0059] Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0060] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0061] 10: Smart ring device 11: First electrode 11a: Through hole 13: Insulating spacer 14: Sensor cap 17: Circuit board 19: Connector 21: Second electrode 23: Third electrode 25: Insulating cover 25a: Through hole 27: Sensor module 29: Battery 31: Control unit 33: Memory unit 35: Communication module 37: External device

Claims

1. A first electrode that is fitted onto the user's finger and comes into contact with the finger; An insulating spacer surrounding the first electrode; A circuit board disposed on the outer side of an insulating spacer and connected to a first electrode; An arc-shaped insulating cover covering a circuit board; A second electrode that is connected to the above circuit board and exposed to the outside of the insulating cover, allowing contact with the user's body; A third electrode coupled to the outer side of the insulating spacer, connected to the circuit board, and capable of contacting the human body; A signal processing unit mounted on the above circuit board and processing biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes, Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above third electrode is, It takes the shape of a partial arc, with both ends connected to an insulating cover, forming a ring shape together with the insulating cover. Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

3. In Paragraph 2, A through hole is formed in the central part of the above insulating cover, and The second electrode protrudes to the outside of the insulating cover through a through hole, Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above signal processing unit is, A sensor module for detecting biosignals transmitted from the first, second, and third electrodes, and A control unit that receives and analyzes biosignals from a sensor module, Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

5. In Paragraph 4, A communication module further comprising receiving processing data from the above-mentioned control unit and transmitting it externally, Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

6. In Paragraph 4, The insulating spacer accommodates a sensor module mounted on a circuit board and is provided with a sensor cap protruding inwardly from the first electrode. Smart ring device for electrocardiogram measurement.

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