Sensor arrangement

• US 20070285868A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindberg, Phillip, Pernu, Kimmo, Manni, Jukka, Savolainen, Tapio, Akkila, Jari, Lindman, Erik, Liljemark, Jorma, Putkinen, Hannu, Rahkonen, Satu
• Granted Patent: US 8,386,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/22 Electromedical belts , e.g. neck chains, armbands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor for measuring a physiological signal and a method for manufacturing such a sensor. Such sensor comprises a flexible substrate (30) and at least one electrode (35), which has a signalling surface, which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate (30.) In addition, the sensor comprises a signal transmission conductor, which is connected electrically to the said electrode. According to the invention, the signal transmission conductor (34) is attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate (30). The sensor according to the invention is reliable, economical to manufacture, and comfortable to the user.

Claims

1. Sensor for measuring a physiological signal from outside the body, which sensory comprises

a flexible substrate, which is permeable to moisture, and which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

at least one electrode, which has a signalling surface, which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate, and

a signal transmission conductor, which is connected electrically to said electrode, wherein the signal transmission conductor is attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate.

2. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission conductor is attached to the substrate with the aid of a watertight and preferably also electrically insulating layer, which is located between the signal transmission conductor and the substrate.

3. Sensor according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer is permanently attached to the substrate.

4. Sensor according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer is arranged to make the sensory unstretchable or poorly stretchable, however, while retaining its flexibility.

5. Sensor according to claim 2, wherein the signal transmission conductor is permanently attached to said intermediate layer.

6. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission conductor comprises a conductive substance spread in a fluid form, such as a conductive ink, a conductive polymer, or a coating with a metal-particle content.

7. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission conductor comprises a conductor applied in a solid form, such as a rubber or elastomer conductor, a metallic conductor, a conductive fibre, or a conductive textile.

8. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is arranged on the substrate in such a way that there is a direct contact connection to its signalling surface from the side of the first surface of the substrate.

9. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode extends through the entire substrate in its thickness direction.

10. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode and the signal transmission conductor consist of a single layer or piece formed from essentially the same material.

11. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmission conductor is located between two watertight layers attached to each other in a watertight manner.

12. Sensor according to claim 1, which comprises at least one second conductor layer arranged under or on top of the signal transmission conductor, in such a way that an insulator laminate is arranged between the conductor layers.

13. Sensor according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one protective layer placed on top of the signal transmission conductor, so that the signal conductor remains in an inner layer of the sensory structure, in such a way that its elongation when the structure is bent is substantially less than that of the outer layers of the structure.

14. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is of a textile material.

15. Sensor according to claim 1, which further comprises an installation zone for the electronics module, in which case the signal transmission conductor is connected electrically to a contact area situated in the installation zone.

16. Sensor according to claim 15, wherein the contact area comprises a metallic conductor, with which an electronics module brought to the installation zone, in a manner that can be later detached, is arranged to form an electrical contact.

17. Sensor according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said electronics module contains means from transmitting, recording, or displaying a measured physiological signal.

18. Sensor according to claim 1, which comprises a layer structure, in which there are at least three layers arranged detachably on top of each other, one of which forms the signal transmission conductor and one continues as a textile-like or elastic structure, in such a way that it can be arranged around some part of the body, in order to bring the signalling surface of the electrode substantially against the skin.

19. Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate continues in a unified form from the surface on the side of the signalling surface of the electrode to the surface opposite to the sensory, in such a way that the signal transmission conductor remains essentially inside a tubular structure made from the substrate material.

24. A heart rate belt which comprises sensory according to claim 1.

25. An apparel which comprises sensory according to claim 1, wherein the innermost textile layer of the apparel forms said substrate.

20. Method for manufacturing sensory used for measuring a physiological signal, in which method

a flexible substrate permeable to moisture, which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to this, is taken, and

an electrode, which is in electrical contact with the signal transmission conductor and the signalling surface of which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the substrate, is further arranged in the sensor,

wherein

the signal transmission conductor is attached to the second surface of the substrate in a watertight manner.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein the signal transmission conductor is attached to one surface of an electrically insulating and watertight material layer and the material layer is laminated onto the substrate from its free surface.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein a second electrically insulating and watertight material layer is further arranged to the free surface of the signal transmission conductor.

23. Method according to claim 20, wherein an opening is made in the substrate and the electrode is fitted relative to the opening, in such a way that there is a direct contact connection to its signalling surface from the side of first surface of the substrate.