Enhancing physical activity measurement

• US 10,064,581 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2015
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Putila, Veli-Pekka, Lamsa, Kaisa, Lumme, Lauri, Komulainen, Olli, Majava, Ville, Kuusela, Risto, Niva, Arto
• Primary Examiner(s): Stoklosa, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANTISKAY, BRIAN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/681,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20160296170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 600382, 600384, 600386, 600388, 600393, 600390
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/125 characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

An electrode belt includes at least one electrode to measure biometric signals related to heart activity of a user, a non-conductive strip having at least one opening, and a flexible strip to enable placement of the electrode belt against the skin of the user. The non-conductive strip is coupled with the flexible strip such that, when in use, the at least one electrode is in physical contact with the skin of the user.

Claims

1. An electrode belt comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to measure biometric signals related to heart activity of a user;

a non-conductive strip having at least one opening, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises at least one fold such that at least two portions of the non-conductive strip are folded against each other, wherein a direction of the at least one fold is diverging compared to a longitudinal axis of the non-conductive strip, and wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the folded at least two portions of the non-conductive strip so that the at least one electrode is enabled to be in physical contact with a skin of the user through the at least one opening; and

a flexible strip to enable placement of the electrode belt against the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip is coupled with the flexible strip such that, when in use, the at least one electrode is in physical contact with the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises two folds such that a first portion and a second portion of the non-conductive strip are folded against a third portion of the non-conductive strip, wherein the first portion is situated at a first end of the non-conductive strip and the second portion is situated at a second end of the non-conductive strip, wherein the third portion is situated between the first and the second portions, and wherein at least a first electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the first and the third portions and a second electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the second and the third portions, and wherein a first opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the first portion of the non-conductive strip and a second opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the second portion of the non-conductive strip.

2. The electrode belt of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the folded two portions so that the at least one electrode is enabled to be in physical contact with the skin of the user through the at least one opening.

3. The electrode belt of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is encapsulated between the at least two portions so that the at least one electrode is at least partially visible through the at least one opening.

5. The electrode belt of claim 1, wherein the at least two portions of the flexible strip are attached together using an adhesive.

17. The electrode belt of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fastening member enabling detachable attachment of the flexible strip against the body tissue of the user.

4. An electrode belt comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to measure biometric signals related to heart activity of a user;

a non-conductive strip having at least one opening, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises at least one fold such that at least two portions of the non-conductive strip are folded against each other, wherein a direction of the at least one fold is diverging compared to a longitudinal axis of the non-conductive strip, and wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the folded at least two portions of the non-conductive strip so that the at least one electrode is enabled to be in physical contact with a skin of the user through the at least one opening; and

a flexible strip to enable placement of the electrode belt against the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip is coupled with the flexible strip such that, when in use, the at least one electrode is in physical contact with the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises two folds such that a first portion and a second portion of the non-conductive strip are folded against a third portion of the non-conductive strip, wherein the first portion is situated at a first end of the non-conductive strip and the second portion is situated at a second end of the non-conductive strip, wherein the third portion is situated between the first and the second portions, and wherein at least a first electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the first and the third portions and a second electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the second and the third portions, and wherein a first opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the first portion of the non-conductive strip and a second opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the second portion of the non-conductive, wherein the flexible strip comprises at least one fold such that at least two portions of the flexible strip are folded against each other, wherein the flexible strip comprises at least one opening, the non-conductive strip being positioned between the folded at least two portions of the flexible strip so that the at least one opening of the non-conductive strip and the at least one opening of the flexible strip are substantially aligned and against each other enabling the at least one electrode to be in contact with the skin of the user.

6. An electrode belt comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to measure biometric signals related to heart activity of a user;

a non-conductive strip having at least one opening, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises at least one fold such that at least two portions of the non-conductive strip are folded against each other, wherein a direction of the at least one fold is diverging compared to a longitudinal axis of the non-conductive strip, and wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the folded at least two portions of the non-conductive strip so that the at least one electrode is enabled to be in physical contact with a skin of the user through the at least one opening;

a flexible strip to enable placement of the electrode belt against the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip is coupled with the flexible strip such that, when in use, the at least one electrode is in physical contact with the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises two folds such that a first portion and a second portion of the non-conductive strip are folded against a third portion of the non-conductive strip, wherein the first portion is situated at a first end of the non-conductive strip and the second portion is situated at a second end of the non-conductive strip, wherein the third portion is situated between the first and the second portions, and wherein at least a first electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the first and the third portions and a second electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the second and the third portions, and wherein a first opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the first portion of the non-conductive strip and a second opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the second portion of the non-conductive strip, further comprising;

at least one coupling member at least to enable electrical coupling of the at the at least one electrode with an electronics unit; and

a holder unit at least to enable attachment of the electronics unit to the electrode belt, the holder unit comprising a cavity, wherein the electronics unit is configured at least to wirelessly transmit information related to heart activity received from the at least one electrode, wherein the holder unit is adapted and dimensioned to receive an enclosure of the electronics unit at least partially within the cavity.

7. The electrode belt of claim 6, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises at least one through-hole for the at least one coupling member, wherein the flexible strip comprises at least one through-hole for the at least one coupling member, and wherein the non-conductive strip is positioned to the flexible strip so that the at least one through-hole of the non-conductive strip and the at least one through-hole of the flexible strip are substantially aligned and against each other.

8. The electrode belt of claim 6, wherein the at least one coupling member reaches through at least one of an at least one through-hole of the non-conductive strip, the at least one through-hole of the flexible strip.

9. The electrode belt of claim 6, wherein the at least one coupling member is further adapted to enable attachment of the electronics unit to the electrode belt.

10. The electrode belt of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupling member comprises at least a first part of a snap fastener.

11. The electrode belt of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupling member comprises at least one hollow, and wherein an inner surface of the at least one hollow comprises at least one of a magnetic material, a material being magnetic when in a substantial magnetic field.

12. The electrode belt of claim 6, wherein the holder unit comprises the at least one coupling member.

13. The electrode belt of claim 6, wherein the electrode belt comprises the electronics unit, and wherein the electronics unit is configured at least to wirelessly transmit information related to heart activity received from the at least one electrode.

14. The electrode belt of claim 13, wherein at least one of the at least one coupling member, the holder unit enables detachable attachment of the electronics unit to the electrode belt.

15. The electrode belt of claim 13, wherein the electronics unit is further configured at least to perform operations comprising:

determining a change in an impedance of an antenna;

determining, based on the change in the impedance of the antenna, that the electronics unit is used in a water environment; and

selecting an operating mode based on the determining that the electronics unit is used in the water environment.

16. The electrode belt of claim 15, wherein the electronics unit is further configured at least to perform operations comprising:

determining a physical activity performed by the user; and

selecting a physiological algorithm based on the physical activity and the determination that the electronics unit is used in the water environment.

18. A method of manufacturing an electrode belt, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to measure biometric signals related to heart activity of a user;

providing a non-conductive strip having at least one opening;

applying the at least one electrode on the non-conductive strip;

folding at least two portions of the non-conductive strip against each other, wherein the folding is performed to a direction that is divergent compared to a longitudinal axis of the non-conductive strip, and wherein the at least one electrode is positioned between the folded at least two portions of the non-conductive strip so that the at least one electrode is enabled to be in physical contact with a skin of the user through the at least one opening;

providing a flexible strip to enable placement of the electrode belt against the skin of the user; and

coupling the non-conductive strip to the flexible strip such that, when in use, the at least one electrode is in physical contact with the skin of the user, wherein the non-conductive strip comprises folds such that a first portion and a second portion of the non-conductive strip are folded against a third portion of the non-conductive strip, wherein the first portion is situated at a first end of the non-conductive strip and the second portion is situated at a second end of the non-conductive strip, wherein the third portion is situated between the first and the second portions, and wherein at least a first electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the first and the third portions and a second electrode of the at least one electrode is positioned between the second and the third portions, and wherein a first opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the first portion of the non-conductive strip and a second opening of the at least one opening is comprised in the second portion of the non-conductive strip, wherein the flexible strip comprises at least one fold such that at least two portions of the flexible strip are folded against each other, wherein the flexible strip comprises at least one opening, the non-conductive strip being positioned between the folded at least two portions of the flexible strip so that the at least one opening of the non-conductive strip and the at least one opening of the flexible strip are substantially aligned and against each other enabling the at least one electrode to be in contact with the skin of the user.