DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ELECTRIC POTENTIALS ON THE HUMAN OR ANIMAL BODY

• US 20110301490A1
• Filed: 12/02/2009
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Up Management GmbH
• Original Assignee: Up Management GmbH
• Inventors: Mucke, Martin, Fahle, Matthias
• Application Number:
  US13/133,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20110301490A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for detecting electrical potentials on the human or animal body, with a body-side arrangement of electrodes (3) and a body-side management unit (4). According to the invention, the conductive pathways (19) between electrodes (3) and management unit (4) include at least in certain areas electrically conductive liquids (17). The pathways (19) are preferably designed as fluid-filled pad segments (16). The invention also relates to a device and method of the aforementioned kind with a body-side arrangement of electrodes (3) and a preferably body-side management unit (4) and/or a preferably remote processing unit (10), which communicate with each other by means of radio transmission (8) using at least one transmitter (7) and at least one receiver (9). It is contemplated that the means of radio transmission (8) preferably comprise transmitter (7) and receiver (9) according to the Zig Bee, Wibree, Bluetooth or ULP standard. The invention also relates to a clothing-like supporting means for such a device.

Claims

1. Device for detecting electrical potentials on a human or animal body with a body-side arrangement of electrodes and a body-side management unit, characterized in that at least one pathways between the electrodes and the management unit comprises, at least in certain areas, an electrically conductive liquid.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the management unit comprises a transmitter, which communicates wirelessly with a receiver of a processing unit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode is arranged with the management unit in a body-side unit.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the body-side unit is formed from electrodes and the management unit in the form of a flat pad.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the body-side unit is formed angularly, wherein at each leg end and in the transition area between the legs an electrode is arranged.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the body-side unit is provided with an adhesive outer surface.

7. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductive pathways are formed as liquid-filled pad segments.

8. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pad cover is manufactured from an electrical insulator, the insulator comprising a thermoplastic synthetic material.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid consists of an aqueous electrolyte.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid has a gel-like consistency.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the liquid contains about 0.65 to 0.75 wt-%, preferably about 0.71 wt % demineralized or distilled water, about 0.10 to 0.20 wt-% , preferably about 0.14 wt % sodium chloride, about 0.03 to 0.07 wt-%, preferably about 0.05 wt % hydroxyethyl cellulose and about 0.07 to 0.13 wt-%, preferably about 0.10 wt % propylene glycol.

12. A device for detecting an electrical potential on a human or animal body, having a body-side arrangement of electrodes and a body-side management unit and/or a processing unit that communicate with each other, according to claim 1, wherein the communication means uses wireless radio transmission with a transmitter, and a receiver based on the ZigBee wireless networking standard.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the electrodes are in operative connection with a body-side converter, which communicates in turn with the body-side transmitter.

14. The device of claim 12, characterized in that the transmitter and/or the measurement transducer are in the form of a single use chip.

15. Clothing-like supporting means for a device for detecting electrical potentials on the human or animal body, according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is provided with means to adapt to the body size.

16. Supporting means according to claim 15, wherein the supporting means is vest-like and is due to adjusting means variable regarding width, length, neck size, arm length and/or shoulder width.

17. A method for signal transmission between electrodes and a management unit of a device for detecting electrical potentials on a human or an animal body, wherein the signals derived from the electrodes are transmitted to a management unit by means of an electrically conductive liquid.

18. A method for detecting electrical potentials on a human or an animal body and wireless transmission of data to a processing unit, in particular according to claim 17, wherein the transfer of data is communicated according to the ZigBee standard.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the derived analog signals of the electrodes are digitized and then transferred to the processing unit.