Control Module and an Arrangement for Measuring a Biosignal

• US 20150208932A1
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bittium Biosignals OY
• Original Assignee: Mega Elektroniikka Oy (Bittium Oyj)
• Inventors: Remes, Arto, Tiihonen, Aki, Hynynen, Sami
• Granted Patent: US 10,342,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0535 Impedance plethysmography for measuring blood flow A61B5/0295
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses an arrangement for measuring a biosignal. The arrangement has a sensor module and a control module. The sensor module has structure for sensing at least one biosignal and a first connector for interfacing with the control module. The control module has a first counterpart connector connected to the first connector of the sensor module, structure for processing biosignal data sensed with the sensor module, a storage memory for storing processed bio signal data, a rechargeable battery for providing operating power for the control module, structure for wirelessly transmitting the processed biosignal data to a computing device, such as a PC, a tablet PC or a smart phone, for post-processing, and a second connector for interfacing with a second electrode.

Claims

1. A control module for measuring a biosignal, wherein the control module comprises:

a first counterpart connector attachable to a first connector of a sensor module comprising a first electrode for sensing at least one biosignal with the aid of a second electrode, wherein the first connector and the first counterpart connector form an interface for transferring biosignal data from the sensor module to the control module, characterized in that the control module comprises;

a second connector for interfacing with the second electrode,

means for processing the biosignal data sensed with the sensor module,

a storage memory for storing processed biosignal data,

a rechargeable battery for providing operating power for the control module, and means for wirelessly transmitting the processed biosignal data to a computing device, such as a PC, a tablet PC or a smart phone, for post-processing.

2. A control module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second electrode being adapted to be attached to the user'"'"'s ear.

3. A control module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second electrode being adapted to be attached to the user'"'"'s arm.

4. A control module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control module comprises:

means for supplying operating power for the sensor module through connection between the first connector and the first counterpart connector.

5. A control module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second connector is a standard headphone plug receptacle.

6. A control module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control module comprises an audio record player, such as a MP3 player.

7. An arrangement for measuring a biosignal, characterized in that the arrangement comprises the control module as claimed in claim 1, and a sensor module comprising:

means for sensing at least one biosignal, and

a first connector for interfacing with a control module in order to transfer biosignal data from the sensor module to the control module.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first connector and the first counterpart connector implement a standard computer interface, such as USB.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the arrangement comprises:

means for producing audio feedback on the basis of the processed biosignal data.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that:

the arrangement is adapted for measuring heart rate variability of a user wearing the arrangement,

the sensor module comprises an armband comprising a first electrode for sensing heart rate variability (HRV), and

the arrangement further comprises a second electrode for sensing heart rate variability (HRV), wherein the second electrode is connected to the second connector of the control module and wherein the second electrode is adapted to be attached to the user'"'"'s ear.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the second electrode is adapted to be attached to the user'"'"'s ear.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the second electrode further comprises means for ear plethysmography.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that:

the second electrode is implemented as a headphone set adapted for forming a galvanic contact between the control module and the user'"'"'s ear.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the second electrode is adapted to be attached to the user'"'"'s other arm.

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor module comprises a head band comprising a plurality of electrodes.