Flexible Electrode Sheet with Segmented Wiring for Body Signal Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrode sheets are limited in their ability to acquire biological signals from positions other than where the electrodes are fixed, and they struggle with extending wiring connections to measurement positions on the body effectively.

Innovation Solution

An electrode sheet with a flexible substrate, wiring, electrodes, and an insulating layer, where the electrodes and wiring are formed from conductive materials dispersed in thermoplastic resin, allowing for stretchability and easy extension to measurement positions, and enabling connection through thermal compression bonding with auxiliary sheets for acquiring diverse biological signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrodes are fixed to the resin sheet at specific positions, then the electrode sheet can be attached easily to the forehead, but it can only acquire brain waves from the positions where the three electrodes are formed and cannot acquire biological signals at measurement positions away from the electrode positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidmeasurement position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode sheet is divided into multiple independent electrode regions, each capable of being attached separately or in combination. This segmentation allows the sheet to be configured for different measurement positions on the body, enabling versatile biological signal acquisition while maintaining ease of attachment for each individual electrode unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode sheet is designed to serve multiple functions: it can acquire brain waves when attached to the forehead, and can also acquire other biological signals when attached to different body positions. The sheet structure itself is universal and can be adapted to various measurement locations, eliminating the need for different electrode configurations for different body parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wiring is extended to reach measurement positions on the body, then biological signals can be acquired from various positions, but the connection becomes complex and difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement position flexibilityVSAvoidwiring connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrode units are merged into a single integrated sheet structure, consolidating what would otherwise be separate wiring connections into one unified device. This merging reduces the overall complexity of wiring connections while maintaining the ability to reach various measurement positions on the body through the flexible sheet design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode sheet utilizes a flexible thin film structure that can be easily positioned and attached to different body locations. This flexibility eliminates the need for complex rigid wiring arrangements, as the sheet itself can conform to various body shapes and positions, simplifying the connection process while maintaining measurement versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables easy and accurate acquisition of biological signals from various body locations without noise interference, improving convenience and signal accuracy by allowing flexible placement and extension of wiring connections.

Implementation Method 1

The electrode is formed of a conductive material in which conductive particles are dispersed in a thermoplastic resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

connection through thermal compression bonding with auxiliary sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal compression bonding: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3513719B1Electrode sheet
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 NIPPON MEKTRON LTD
  • EP3513719B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3513719B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3513719B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided is an electrode sheet allowing easy connection of a wiring that is extended, when required, to a measurement position on a living body. The electrode sheet (main sheet (1), auxiliary sheet (10)) includes a sheet-shaped flexible substrate (2, 11), wirings (3, 12) formed on the flexible substrate (2, 11), electrodes (5, 14) formed on the flexible substrate (2, 11) and electrically connected to the wirings (3, 12), and an insulating layer (4, 13) laid on the flexible substrate (2, 11) in such a manner that the wirings (3, 12) are overlaid with the insulating layer (4, 13) while the electrodes (5, 14) are exposed. The electrodes (5, 14) are formed of a conductive material in which conductive particles are dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.