WEARABLE APPARATUS AND DRY ELECTRODE FOR ACQUIRING ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS AS WELL AS METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Abstract

Embodiments provide a wearable apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being. The apparatus includes a textile carrier, at least two dry electrodes attached to an inside of the textile carrier and at least two adjustable straps attached to the textile carrier that allow to adjust the wearable apparatus to a body of the living being and a contact pressure of the at least two dry electrodes to a skin of the living being.

Claims

1. Wearable apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being, comprising: a textile carrier, at least two dry electrodes attached to an inside of the textile carrier and at least two adjustable straps attached to the textile carrier, which allow adjusting the wearable apparatus to the body of the living being and a contact pressure of the at least two dry electrodes on a skin of the living being.

2. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two dry electrodes are at least four dry electrodes for acquiring a multi-channel electrocardiogram of the living being.

3. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the textile carrier is made of one piece of material.

4. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the textile carrier forms the shape of a strap system together with the at least two straps.

5. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the textile carrier comprises a central area, two upper areas, each extending away from the central area and two lateral areas, each extending away from the central area.

6. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the apparatus is worn by the living being, the central area of the textile carrier extends across a back area of the living being, the two upper areas of the textile carrier extend, starting from the back area, across respective shoulder areas up to the upper chest areas of the living being and the two lateral areas of the textile carrier extend, starting from the back area, across respective axillary lines up to respective upper stomach areas or lower chest areas.

7. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the two upper areas of the textile carrier can be connected to the two lateral areas of the textile carrier via two of the at least two straps.

8. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the two lateral areas of the textile carrier can be connected to each other via a connecting element, or wherein the two lateral areas of the textile carrier can be connected to each other via a third strap of the at least two straps.

9. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least two dry electrodes are attached to the textile carrier on at least two areas of the two upper areas and the two lateral areas of the textile carrier.

10. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least two dry electrodes are at least four dry electrodes, wherein two dry electrodes of the at least four dry electrodes are attached to an inside of the two upper areas of the textile carrier, wherein two other dry electrodes of the at least four dry electrodes are attached to an inside of the two lateral areas of the textile carrier.

11. Wearable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the apparatus is worn by the living being, the two dry electrodes contact clavicle areas [e.g., left and right clavicle areas] or upper areas above a chest area of the living being, and/or wherein, when the apparatus is worn by the living being, the two other dry electrodes contact abdominal areas [e.g., within an abdominal quadrant] or lower regions below a chest area of the living being.

12. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the textile carrier and/or the at least two straps are elastic.

13. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two dry electrodes each comprise a layer of conductive fabric and a layer of electrically conductive polymer covering the layer of conductive fabric.

14. Wearable apparatus according claim 13, wherein the layer of electrically conductive polymers is thinner than 1 mm.

15. Wearable apparatus according to claim 13, wherein layers of the at least two dry electrodes are formed by means of a combination of a screen printing method and a transfer printing method.

16. Wearable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two dry electrodes are connected, via insulated lines, to a terminal attached to an outside of the textile carrier.

17. Wearable apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the insulated lines each comprise a layer of conductive fabric and at least one layer of insulating material covering the layer of conductive fabric.

18. Wearable apparatus according to claim 17, wherein layers of the insulated lines are formed by means of combination of a screen printing method and a transfer printing method.

19. Wearable apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the insulated lines are each connected to a connecting element of the terminal guided to the outside.

20. Wearable apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the terminal comprises at least one layer of insulating material, wherein a layer of the at least one layer of insulating material is opened in areas of the connecting elements, such that the connecting elements are exposed.

21. Dry electrode for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being, comprising: a layer of conductive fabric and a layer of electrically conductive polymer covering the layer of conductive fabric.

22. Dry electrode according to claim 21, wherein the conductive fabric is a silvered fabric.

23. Dry electrode according to claim 21, wherein the layer of electrically conductive polymer comprises a thickness of less than 1 mm.

24. Dry electrode according to claim 21, wherein the dry electrode further comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane film, wherein the layer of conductive fabric is arranged on the thermoplastic polyurethane film.

25. Dry electrode according to claim 21, wherein the dry electrode is embedded in a transfer printing film layer system of at least two transfer printing films, wherein the transfer printing film layer system is partly opened in an area adjacent to the layer of electrically conductive polymer, such that the layer of electrically conductive polymer is partly exposed.

26. Dry electrode according to claim 21, wherein the dry electrode is attached to a textile carrier by means of a transfer printing method.

27. Method for producing a wearable apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being, the method comprising: providing a textile carrier, forming at least two dry electrodes on an inside of the textile carrier by means of a transfer printing method, providing at least two adjustable straps and attaching the at least two adjustable straps to the textile carrier.

28. Method according to claim 27, wherein forming the at least two dry electrodes comprises: providing a layer of electrically conductive fabric and providing a layer of electrically conductive polymer on the layer of electrically conductive fabric, such that the layer of electrically conductive polymer at least partly covers the layer of electrically conductive fabric.

29. Method according to claim 28, wherein forming the at least two dry electrodes further comprises: providing a thermoplastic polyurethane film, wherein the layer of conductive fabric is arranged on the thermoplastic polyurethane film.

30. Method according to claim 28, wherein forming the at least two dry electrodes further comprises: providing a first transfer printing film and a second transfer printing film, wherein the layer of electrically conductive polymer and the layer of electrically conductive fabric are arranged between the first transfer printing film and the second transfer printing film, wherein the first transfer printing film is arranged on the layer of electrically conductive polymer, wherein the first transfer printing film is partly opened in an area adjacent to the layer of electrically conductive polymer, such that the layer of electrically conductive polymer is partly exposed.

31. Method according to claim 30, wherein the layer of electrically conductive polymer and layer of electrically conductive fabric are embedded between the first transfer printing film and the second transfer printing film by means of the transfer printing method.

32. Method according to claim 27, wherein, when forming the at least two dry electrodes, further, at least two insulated lines are formed.

33. Method according to claim 32, wherein the method further comprises: forming a terminal on an outside of the textile carrier, wherein the terminal is connected to the at least two insulated lines.

34. Method according to claim 33, wherein, when forming the terminal, connecting elements guided to the outside are formed, which are each connected to one of the at least two insulated lines.

35. Method according to claim 34, wherein, when forming the terminal, a further transfer printing film is provided, wherein the further transfer printing film is opened in areas of the connecting elements guided to the outside, such that the connecting elements are exposed, wherein the further transfer printing film is attached to the outside of the textile carrier by means of the transfer printing method to form the terminal.

36. Method for acquiring a multi-channel electrocardiogram of a living being by means of a wearable apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being, the apparatus comprising: a textile carrier, at least two dry electrodes attached to an inside of the textile carrier and at least two adjustable straps attached to the textile carrier, which allow adjusting the wearable apparatus to the body of the living being and a contact pressure of the at least two dry electrodes on a skin of the living being, wherein the at least two dry electrodes are at least four dry electrodes for acquiring a multi-channel electrocardiogram of the living being, the method comprising: applying a reference signal to the living being with a dry electrode of the at least four dry electrodes of the wearable apparatus, acquiring at least three electrophysiological signals from the living being using at least three other dry electrodes of the at least four dry electrodes of the wearable apparatus, processing the acquired at least three electrophysiological signals to attain the multi-channel electrocardiogram of the living being.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which:

[0100] FIG. 1a is a schematic front view of an apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0101] FIG. 1b is a schematic rear view of the apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0102] FIG. 2a is an illustration of a front view of the apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being when the same is exemplarily worn by a doll as a representative for a living being,

[0103] FIG. 2b is an illustration of a rear view of the apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being when the same is worn exemplarily by a doll as a representative for a living being,

[0104] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a dry electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0105] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for producing an apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0106] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a layer structure of a dry electrode as well as a portion of a line according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0107] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an inside of the apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0108] FIG. 7 is a schematic detailed view of an outside part of the terminal with the connecting elements according to an embodiment of the present invention and

[0109] FIG. 8 is a schematic detailed view of an inside part of the terminal realizing the connections between the insulated lines and the connecting elements exposed at the outside of the textile carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0110] In the subsequent description of the embodiments of the present invention, same or equal elements are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures such that their description is inter-exchangeable.

Apparatus (Strap System) For Acquiring Electrophysiological Signals

[0111] FIG. 1a shows a schematic front view of an apparatus 100 for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being (e.g., animal or human being) and FIG. 1b shows a schematic rear view of the apparatus 100 for acquiring electrophysiological signals of a living being according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] The apparatus 100 includes a textile carrier 102, at least two dry electrodes 104_1-104_4 attached to the inside of the textile carrier 102 and at least two straps 106_1-106_2 attached to the textile carrier 102. Here, the at least two straps 106_1-106_2 allow adjusting the wearable apparatus 100 to a body of the living being and/or contact pressure of the at least two dry electrodes 104 to a skin of the living being, which can improve, e.g., the quality of the physiological signal detectable by the at least two dry electrodes 104_1-104_4.

[0113] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, it is exemplarily assumed that the apparatus 100 comprises four dry electrodes. However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Rather, the apparatus 100 can generally comprise n dry electrodes 104_1-104_4, wherein n is a natural number greater than 2, n≥2, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more dry electrodes.

[0114] As shown exemplarily in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the textile carrier 102 can be made of one (e.g., single) piece of material and can be formed such that the same comprises five areas: central area 108, two upper areas 110_1-110_2, each extending away from the central area 108, and two lateral areas 112_1-112_2, each extending away from the central area 108, wherein, when the apparatus 100 is worn by a living being, the central area 108 of the textile carrier 102 extends across a back area of the living being, the two upper areas 110_1-110_2 of the textile carrier 102 extend, starting from the back area, across respective shoulder areas up to the upper chest areas of the living being and the two lateral areas 112_1-112_2 of the textile carrier 102 extend, starting from the back area, across respective axillary lines up to the respective upper stomach areas or lower chest areas.

[0115] The two upper areas 110_1-110_2 of the textile carrier 102 can be connected to the two lateral areas 112_1-112_2 of the textile carrier via two of the at least two straps. For example, a first upper area 110_1 of the textile carrier 102 can be connected to a first lower area 112_1 of the textile carrier 102 via a first strap 106_1, while a second upper area 110_2 of the textile carrier 102 can be connected to a second lower area 112_2 of the textile carrier 102 via a second strap 106_2.

[0116] The two lateral areas 112_1-112_2 can be connected via a third strap or alternatively via a connecting element such as Velcro fastener, buckle, clamping strap or push button.

[0117] In embodiments, the at least two dry electrodes can be attached to at least two areas of the two upper areas 110_1-110_2 and the two lateral areas 112_1-112_2 of the textile carrier 102 at an inside of the textile carrier 102. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a first dry electrode 104_1 can be attached to a first upper area 110_1 of the textile carrier 102, a second dry electrode 104_2 to a first lower area 112_1 of the textile carrier 102, the third dry electrode 104_3 to a second upper area of the textile carrier 102 and a fourth dry electrode 104_4 to the second lower area 112_2 of the textile carrier 102.

[0118] In embodiments, the at least two dry electrodes 104_1-104_4 can be connected to a terminal 116 attached to an outside of the textile carrier 102 via insulated lines 114_1-114_4, e.g., for providing the electrophysiological signals acquired by the at least two dry electrodes. For this, the terminal 116 can comprise connecting elements 118_1-118_4 guided to the outside, which are connected to the at least two insulated lines.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, together with the at least two straps 106_1-106_2, the textile carrier 102 can form, for example, the shape of a strap system. When using the strap system for acquiring physiological signals of a human being or a human-like animal (e.g., monkey), the strap system can, for example, have the shape of a vest.

[0120] In embodiments, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b can, for example, be used for acquiring an electrocardiogram (ECG) or for monitoring patients with cardiovascular risk constellation or for monitoring patients in cardiological rehabilitation or for telemedical cardio monitoring.

[0121] In other words, FIG. 1a shows a front view of the apparatus 100 (strap system) and FIG. 1b a rear view of the apparatus 100. The textile carrier 102 (e.g., in the form of a vest) consists of a single elastic piece of material to which the straps 106_1-106_2 are sewn. The straps 106_1-106_2 are elastic and have a Velcro connection such that when putting the same on, width and even contact pressure of the electrodes 104_1-104_4 can be adapted.

[0122] The electrodes 104_1-104_4 are located at the inside of the strap system. For better adherence of the electrodes 104_1-104_4 to the main part, the electrodes have the non-slip surfaces. Contacts 118_1-118_4 for connecting a measurement device are located at the outside of the strap system (see FIG. 1b).

[0123] FIG. 2a shows an illustration of a front view of the apparatus 100 when the same is worn exemplarily by a doll as a representative for a living being, while FIG. 2b shows an illustration of a rear view of the apparatus 100 when the same is worn exemplarily by a doll as a representative for a living being.

Dry Electrodes and Combination of Electrode Materials

[0124] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a dry electrode 104 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the dry electrode 104 comprises a layer 150 of electrically conductive fabric and a layer 152 of electrically conductive polymer covering the layer 150 of conductive fabric.

[0125] The requirements for the dry electrodes 104 during the ECG measurement are that the resistance of the dry electrodes 104 is low and remains almost constant over time. Additionally, the dry electrodes should have good adhesion on the skin of the patient. For fulfilling these requirements, a combination of materials can be used in embodiments, as will be discussed below.

[0126] In embodiments, as electrically conductive fabric, a silvered knitted fabric can be used as base material. The advantage of this fabric is its improved (e.g., high) electrical conductivity, but silver particles are washed out in open areas of the electrodes during washing. This results in an increase of the electrical resistance, which results in a deterioration of the ECG signal. For preventing washing out of silver particles, in embodiments, this fabric is protected by an electrically conductive polymer, such as a silicone coating (see FIG. 3). Electrically conductive silicone has a lower conductivity than the silvered knitted fabric, but when the same is deposited in a thin layer (e.g., 1 mm or less) on the surface of the silvered knitted fabric, the improved (e.g., high) conductivity of the dry electrode 104 is maintained and simultaneously the dry electrode 104 is protected from washing out of silver particles. Above that, due to its good elasticity, silicone shows good adhesive characteristics on the skin of a living being (e.g., human being or animal). This material combination allows repeated usage of dry electrodes and usage of the same in washable clothes.

Integration of Materials

[0127] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method 200 for producing apparatus 100 for acquiring electrophysiological signals according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 includes a step 202 of providing a textile carrier. Further, the method 200 includes a step 204 of forming at least two dry electrodes in an inside of the textile carrier by means of a transfer printing method. Further, the method 200 includes a step 206 of providing at least two adjustable straps and attaching the at least two adjustable straps to the textile carrier.

[0128] In embodiments, in the step 204 of forming the at least two dry electrodes, the insulated lines connected to the at least two dry electrodes and (optionally) also the terminal connected to the insulated lines can also be formed.

[0129] In the following embodiments of step 204 will be described in more detail.

[0130] In order to make the apparatus 100 suitable for everyday use and persistent against reusable washing, in embodiments, the transfer printing method can be used. Normally, the transfer printing method is used for decorating and sealing clothes. In embodiments, this method is used to weld all components (dry electrodes, lines, terminals) with the basic textiles (textile carrier) and to seal electrically conductive materials. For that purpose, a multi-layered material structure can be used as will be discussed below based on FIG. 5.

[0131] In detail, FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a layer structure (e.g., multi-layered integration structure) of a dry electrode 104 as well as a portion of a line 114 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] In a preparation phase, all layers for the dry electrode 104 and the insulated line 114 can be provided, e.g., for example cut out according to a template and then positioned on upper of one another. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the layers can be attached in the following order (starting from the textile carrier 102); [0133] Textile carrier 102, [0134] Transfer printing film 146, [0135] Thermoplastic polyurethane film (TPU) 148, [0136] Conductive fabric 150, [0137] Conductive polymer layer (e.g., silicone layer) 152 (only on the conductive fabric 150 in the area of the dry electrode 102) and [0138] Transfer printing film 154 (opened in the area of the dry electrode 102, such that the conductive polymer layer 152 is partly exposed (e.g., only covered by the transfer printing film 154 on the edge)).

[0139] After the above layers have been placed, this layer structure (sandwich structure) can be heated under pressure (e.g., 170° C.). The bonding result is illustrated in FIG. 6-8.

[0140] Here, FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an inside of the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the dry electrodes 104, insulated lines 114 and an inside part of the terminal 116 are attached on an inside of the textile carrier 102. The inside part of the terminal 116 can realize connections between the insulated lines 114 and the connecting elements that are exposed on the outside of the textile carrier. Further, in FIG. 6, the straps 106 attached to the textile carrier can be seen.

[0141] FIG. 7 shows a schematic detailed view of an outside part of the terminal 116 with the connecting elements 118 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connecting elements can be realized, e.g., by means of push buttons or banana jacks.

[0142] FIG. 8 shows a schematic detailed view of an inside part of the terminal 116 realizing the connections between the insulated lines 114 and the connecting elements exposed on the outside of the textile carrier.

[0143] The above-described structure of lines is watertight and protects from humidity or sweat during usage.

Further Embodiments

[0144] For capturing physiological signals in a quality that is as high as possible as well as for preventing interfering influences during data acquisition (in particular in application scenarios in mobile everyday life), sufficiently good and reliable adaptation of the primary measurement value sensors (here ECG electrodes) to the human body presents a great challenge. First, embodiments realize a combination of improved (e.g., best possible) material components for a signal acquisition and signaled transmission. Second, embodiments implement requirements for interference stability by the selected type of integration of these materials into a textile carrier. Third, embodiments address and alleviate further critical points by the selected concept (as adjustable strap system), such that sufficiently good signal quality can be provided for different sexes, body sizes and body proportions at all times.

[0145] Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is obvious that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, such that a block or device of an apparatus also corresponds to a respective method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by a hardware apparatus (or using a hardware apparatus), such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or several of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0146] While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageous embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.