Adjustable Body Electrode with Direction-Changing Connections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional body electrodes have fixed electrode positions, making it difficult to attach them to subjects with varying hand sizes, leading to potential discomfort and inaccurate physiological signal detection.

Innovation Solution

A body electrode design featuring adjustable connection portions with direction-changing parts allows for flexible placement of stimulation, active, and reference electrodes, enabling precise attachment to desired positions on the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrodes are mounted on a fixed substrate sheet at predetermined positions, then the body electrode structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrode cannot be attached to desired positions on subjects with varying hand sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different hand sizesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate sheet is divided into multiple independent electrode units, each with its own connection portion. These segmented units can be independently positioned and attached to different locations on the subject's hand, allowing adaptation to varying hand sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portions are designed with flexible properties, allowing them to be bent or extended to change the relative positions of electrodes. This dynamic characteristic enables the electrode assembly to adapt to different hand sizes and shapes, transforming a static structure into a flexible one that can accommodate various anatomical variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If electrodes are fixed at predetermined positions on the substrate, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the physiological signal detection accuracy decreases due to inability to attach at optimal positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological signal detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the electrode assembly into separate units with independent connection portions, each electrode can be positioned at the optimal location for signal detection. The segmentation allows flexible arrangement while maintaining straightforward manufacturing processes for each individual unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portions can be adjusted to change the distance and relative position parameters between electrodes, allowing optimization of electrode placement for accurate physiological signal detection. This parameter adjustability enables precise positioning without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the body electrode is designed with fixed electrode positions, then the device structure is simple, but the comfort and accuracy of attachment to subjects with different hand sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment comfort and accuracyVSAvoidelectrode arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection portions are designed to be flexible and adjustable, allowing the electrode arrangement to be dynamically adapted to different hand sizes and shapes. This enables comfortable and accurate attachment while avoiding excessive structural complexity through the use of simple flexible connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4037755B1Body electrode and body electrode unit
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP4037755B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4037755B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4037755B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A body electrode unit includes a body electrode and a release sheet to which the body electrode is attached. The body electrode includes a first electrode configured to stimulate a muscle of a body, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The second electrode and the third electrode are configured to detect a physiological signal from the muscle that is stimulated by the first electrode. The body electrode also includes a first connection portion arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second connection portion arranged between the third electrode and one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The first connection portion has at least one first direction changing part configured to change a direction in which the first connection portion extends, such that at least one of a distance and an angle between the first electrode and the second electrode is adjustable.