Electrode Structure

• US 20090124881A1
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Rytky, Pekka
• Granted Patent: US 8,190,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/388
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/256 Wearable electrodes, e.g. having straps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/27 Conductive fabrics or textiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

A protective electrode structure comprises a middle protective electrode which resides between an outer protective electrode and the skin electrodes during a measurement. The middle protective electrode and the outer protective electrode are insulated from each other. Additionally, the middle protective electrode may be coupled to a virtual ground of the user-specific performance monitor system.

Claims

1. A protective electrode structure for a portable user-specific performance monitor system including skin electrodes for a physiological measurement, the protective electrode structure comprising

at least one middle protective electrode configured to protect the skin electrodes against electrical interference and to be placed between an outer protective electrode and the skin electrodes during a measurement, the outer protective electrode being against electrical interference, and

the at least one middle protective electrode and the outer protective electrode being insulated from each other.

2. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one middle protective electrode is configured to be coupled to a virtual ground of the user-specific performance monitor system.

3. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the protective electrode structure comprises the outer protective electrode for protecting the skin electrodes against electrical interference.

4. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the protective electrode structure is included in the user-specific performance monitor system.

5. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the protective electrode structure is integrated into a garment.

6. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one middle protective electrode is covered by an insulator which is covered by the garment, which is configured to form the outer protective electrode.

7. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the middle protective electrode is to be coupled to the skin of a user at a different place or places than the skin electrodes.

8. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the electrode structure comprises an insulator configured to insulate the at least one middle protective electrode and the outer protective electrode.

9. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the protective electrode structure comprises at least one additional protective electrode configured to be placed between the at least one middle protective electrode and the skin electrodes, the additional protective electrode being configured to be insulated from the at least one middle protective electrode and coupled to the skin.

10. The protective electrode structure of claim 1, wherein the protective electrode structure comprises at least two additional protective electrodes configured to protect the skin electrodes against electrical interference and to be placed between the at least one middle protective electrode and the skin electrodes, the additional protective electrodes being configured to be insulated from the at least one middle protective electrode and cross coupled to the skin electrodes.

11. A measuring device of a user-specific performance monitor system including skin electrodes for a physiological measurement, wherein the measuring device comprises

at least one middle protective electrode configured to be placed between an outer protective electrode and the skin electrodes during a measurement,

the at least one middle protective electrode and the outer protective electrode being insulated from each other, the outer protective electrode and the at least one middle protective electrode being configured to protect the skin electrodes against electrical interference.

12. A garment including skin electrodes for a physiological measurement performed by a user-specific performance monitor system, wherein the garment further comprises

at least one middle protective electrode configured to be placed between an outer protective electrode and the skin electrodes during a measurement, the outer protective electrode and the at least one middle protective electrode being configured to protect the skin electrodes against electrical interference.

13. A method of manufacturing an electrode structure, the method further comprising

forming at least one middle protective electrode which is placed between an outer protective electrode and the skin electrodes and insulated from the outer protective electrode, the outer protective electrode and the at least one middle protective electrode protecting the skin electrodes against electrical interference.