Bioelectrode and bioelectrode-equipped apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioelectrodes face issues with high skin contact impedance, artifacts in biological signal measurement due to moisture retention, discomfort, and disconnection during wear, especially when applied to varying body thicknesses and during activities.
Innovation Solution
A bioelectrode with a sheet-like structure containing conductive fibers and a water-absorbing resin, along with a bioelectrode-equipped apparatus featuring a base fabric with distinct extensibility directions and an insulating layer, prevents excessive moisture retention and ensures accurate signal measurement and stable wiring connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If moisture is retained between the skin and the surface of the electrode layer, then biological signals can be measured, but moisture flows out to cause short circuit with nearby bioelectrodes and causes discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is divided into multiple isolated electrode elements (first bioelectrode, second bioelectrode, etc.) with insulating portions between them. This segmentation prevents moisture from causing short circuits between adjacent electrodes while still allowing each electrode to maintain contact with the skin for signal measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode layer have different properties: the electrode portions have high water contact angle (115° or more) for moisture retention and good signal measurement, while the insulating portions prevent moisture flow between electrodes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing moisture for measurement and preventing moisture-related harm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are arranged close to each other to improve measurement coverage, then more biological information can be captured, but moisture causes short circuit between nearby bioelectrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is divided into multiple isolated electrode elements with insulating portions between them. This segmentation allows electrodes to be arranged closely for comprehensive measurement coverage while preventing moisture from causing short circuits between adjacent electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating portions are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent electrodes. These insulating portions act as barriers that prevent moisture from flowing between electrodes, allowing close arrangement for better coverage while maintaining electrode isolation and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a harness for electric conduction is made of a mixture of conductive yarn and elastic yarn, then flexibility is improved, but a special device is required for manufacture and electrode position design is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive and elastic functions are segmented into separate components: a conductive fabric layer for electrical conduction and a separate elastic support structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex mixed yarn harnesses, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining both conductivity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mixture of conductive and elastic yarns, the invention uses a composite structure with a conductive fabric layer combined with a separate elastic support. This composite approach achieves both conductivity and flexibility through simpler, more manufacturable materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves low skin contact impedance, reduces artifacts, prevents discomfort, and maintains accurate signal measurement and electrical stimulation across varying body thicknesses, ensuring reliable bioelectrode placement and function during activities.
Implementation Method 1
a water-absorbing resin applied to a sheet-like structure... efficiently making moisture released from the skin retained between the skin and the surface of the electrode layer
Implementation Method 2
a sheet-like structure containing a conductive fiber... that can measure a biological signal
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer for covering the wiring... prevents excessive moisture retention
Implementation Method 4
a base fabric with distinct extensibility directions... that can apply the bioelectrode to a predetermined position of a body regardless of individual differences in the circumference
Data Source
AI summary
This bioelectrode is configured by applying a water-absorbing resin to a sheet-like structure including conductive fibers so as to have a moisture retention index of 0.8 or more. This bioelectrode-equipped apparatus comprises a fabric structure having, on a base fabric formed from an elastic fabric, an electrode placement region that includes a wiring formed on a surface of the base fabric, a bioelectrode provided to the terminal end of the wiring, and an insulating layer for covering the wiring, wherein the base fabric has a first extension direction exhibiting relatively low extensibility in the electrode placement region and a second extension direction which is different from the first extension direction and which exhibits higher extensibility than the first extension direction, and the wiring is formed along the first extension direction.