Sensor arrangeable on the skin

• US 20040138546A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Reho, Akseli, Nissila, Seppo, Heikkila, Ilkka, Valimaki, Elina
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/382
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor (42) placed on the skin, which can advantageously be integrated in a garment and has a contact layer in contact with the skin containing conductive fibres for receiving signals and a moisture retentive moisture layer (41) on top of the contact layer.

Claims

1. A sensor placed on the skin, characterised in comprising a contact layer (2, 22, 32) including conductive fibres (4) placed in contact with the skin for receiving signals and a moisture retentive moisture layer (3, 23, 33, 41) on top of the contact layer.

2. A sensor as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the moisture layer (3, 23, 33, 41) is a seal layer substantially impervious to moisture.

3. A sensor as defined in claim 2, characterised in that the seal layer (3, 23, 33, 41) is made of fabric, a film-like material or a laminate.

4. A sensor as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the seal layer (3, 23, 33, 41) is an absorption layer having efficient moisture absorption.

5. A sensor as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact layer (2, 22, 32) is made of fabric.

6. A sensor as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that sensor (1, 21, 31, 42) is integrated in a garment (20, 30, 40a, 50a), such as a shirt, a coat, a top, a girdle, a bra, a wrist strip, a headband, a belt, a band, a sock, a pair of trousers or a glove.

7. A sensor as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor (21, 31, 42) and the garment (20, 30, 40a, 50a) can be cleaned together.

8. A sensor as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in being associated with a transmitter (26, 36, 61) for retransmitting a signal received by the con-tact layer from the skin.

9. A sensor as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one electrically conductive means (2, 22, 32, 42, 44) that is essential for the measurement is insulated from at least one second means (2, 22, 32, 42, 44) by means of at least one of the following insulating arrangements (45, 51, 52):

rubber, plastic fabric, glue and an opening.

10. A garment, characterised in comprising a sensor placed on the skin including a contact layer (2, 22, 32) containing conductive fibres (4) and a moisture retentive moisture layer (3, 23, 33, 41) on top of the contact layer.

11. A method for making measurements on the skin by means of a sensor, characterised in that the measurements are made by means of a sensor (1, 21, 31) comprising a contact layer (2, 22, 32) placed in contact with the skin and containing conductive fibres and a moisture retentive moisture layer (3, 23, 33, 41) on top of the contact layer.