SENSOR DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLE JOINTS

• US 20130018251A1
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verathon Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verathon Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Caprio, Matthew, Beasley, Vanessa, McMorrow, Gerald J., Clay, Andrew, Ladwig, Jeffrey William
• Granted Patent: US 9,615,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/393
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/04 Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• 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 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49128 Assembling formed circuit to base

Abstract

A sensor device for monitoring bioelectric data from a human body includes a flexible dielectric substrate, a plurality of sensors (electrodes) distributed on the substrate for sensing the bioelectric data, and an electrically conductive network distributed on the substrate connecting the sensors to a terminal portion of the substrate. Integrated flexible joints permit a certain amount of elasticity in and allow relative movement between at least two of the sensors when the sensor device is placed onto the human body.

Claims

8. A portion of a sensor device for monitoring bioelectric data from a human body, the portion comprising:

a flexible, dielectric substrate;

a plurality of sensors arranged on the substrate for sensing the bioelectric data; and

a flexible joint coupled to the substrate, the flexible joint configured to permit a desired amount of relative displacement between at least two of the plurality of sensors when the substrate is placed onto the human body.

9. The portion of claim 8, wherein a first portion of the substrate is biased relative to a second portion of the substrate by operation of the flexible joint.

12. The sensor device of claim 8, wherein the flexible joint includes a spring.

10. The sensor device of claim 18, wherein the flexible joint includes a corrugated member.

1. A sensor device for monitoring bioelectric data from a human body, the sensor device comprising:

a flexible, dielectric substrate;

a plurality of sensors arranged on the substrate for sensing the bioelectric data;

a terminal portion arranged on the substrate;

a flexible, electrically conductive network arranged on the substrate, the network configured to provide electrical communication between the sensors and the terminal portion of the substrate; and

a flexible joint integrated with the substrate, the flexible joint configured to permit a desired amount of relative motion between at least two of the plurality of sensors when placing the substrate onto the human body.

2. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the substrate is biased relative to a second portion of the substrate by operation of the flexible joint.

3. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint includes a corrugated member.

4. The sensor device of claim 3, wherein the corrugated member includes a portion of the substrate folded relative to itself.

5. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes an anterior portion for contacting a front surface of the human body.

6. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes posterior portion for contacting a back surfaces of the human body.

7. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint includes a spring.

11. The sensor device of claim 10, wherein the corrugated member includes a portion of the substrate folded relative to itself.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of coupling at least one flexible joint to the substrate includes coupling a first portion of the substrate that is biased relative to a second portion of the substrate by operation of the flexible joint.

13. A method of making a sensor vest for monitoring bioelectric data from a human body, the method comprising:

forming a flexible, dielectric substrate into a vest shape;

arranging a plurality of sensors on the substrate for sensing the bioelectric data; and

coupling at least one flexible joint to the substrate, the flexible joint configured to permit a desired amount of relative displacement between at least two of the plurality of sensors when the substrate is placed onto the human body.

14-1. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of coupling at least one flexible joint to the substrate includes integrating the at least one flexible joint with the substrate.