Sensor for Acquiring Physiological Signals

• US 20130225966A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Solutions Technologies, S.L.
• Original Assignee: Agustin Macia Barber
• Inventors: Maci Barber, Agustin, Llorca Juan, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,629,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/388
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/125 characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor 1 for acquiring physiological signals with improved silicone rubber in particular when the sensor 1 is included in a garment 7 and the person who wears the garment 7 is in high level activity, the invention furthermore relates to a device comprising the sensor, as well as garments 7 comprising the device.

Claims

1. A sensor to be placed in contact with the skin of an user for acquiring physiological signals the sensor comprising:

a) a conductive layer comprising at least conductive fibers to be placed in contact with the skin for receiving physiological signals;

b) an electrical connector connected to the conductive layer;

characterized in that the conductive layer comprises a plurality of orifices filled with a silicone rubber throughout the conductive area.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer comprises at least an electrode and a track.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the track is covered with an insulating material.

4. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the at least one electrode is a conductive fabric comprising conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers.

5. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the track is a conductive fabric comprising conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the conductive fibers are made of silver coated nylon and the non-conductive fibers are made of nylon.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the silicone rubber is a silicone rubber with molecular weight comprised between 400 g/mol and 600 g/mol.

8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the conductive layer to be in contact with the skin is comprised between 50% and 80% of the conductive layer and the proportion of the silicone rubber to be in contact with the skin is comprised between 20% and 50% in respect to the total conductive layer.

9. A device comprising:

(a) at least one sensor as defined in claim 1, and

(b) an electronic instrument for receiving and collecting and/or storing and/or processing, and/or transmitting data from the sensor.

10. A garment comprising the device of claim 9.

11. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the portion of the garment which is coupled to the sensor is designed for applying a pressure equal or higher than 2 KPa.

12. The garment according to claim 10, wherein the garment comprises two layers comprising an inner and an outer layer, and the outer layer is able to compress the sensor to a body with at least 2 KPa

13. The garment according to claim 12 wherein the outer layer comprises a system to regulate the pressure.

14. A process for the preparation of a sensor as defined in claim 1, the process comprising the steps of:

a) die cutting a conductive layer of conductive fabric;

b) adding a hot melt adhesive on one surface of the conductive layer;

c) screen printing with an anti-slip silicone rubber the orifices or grooves of the electrode; and

d) curing the silicone;

wherein the step a) and b) can be carried out in any order.