Bio-monitoring apparatus

• US 7,486,980 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Chang, Wen-Ying, Ke, Ting-Chen, Lin, Wen-Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/567,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/386, 600391-393
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A bio-monitoring apparatus is disclosed in the present invention which is characterized in that a bio-sensing electrode without a stud member or male portion of a snap fastener is directly integrated with a signal processing module through a conductive layer formed therebetween so as to form the bio-monitoring apparatus functions to transcutaneously sense physiological statuses of a being. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the bio-sensing electrode is further simplified to a contacting layer coupled to the signal processing module through the conductive layer so as to reduce attenuation of signal intensity during signal transmitting. Meanwhile, without the stud member disposed in the electrode, not only the thickness of the electrode is certainly reduced, but also the feeling of comfort is capable of being improved while the electrode is adapted to contact a being.

Claims

1. A bio-monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a signal processing module;

at least one electrode patch, each disposed on the signal processing module while being enabled to sensing a bio signal, wherein the electrode patch further comprises an electrode, having a via hole formed thereon; and

at least one contact layer, capable of connecting electrically to at least one conductive layer though the via hole, and the electrode is an object selected from the group consisting of a self-adhesive conductive paste, a silicon rubber conductive sheet, an aluminum conductive sheet and the combinations thereof; and

the at least one conductive layer, each being formed and sandwiched between the at least one electrode patch and the signal processing module for enabling an electrical connection between the at least one electrode patch and the signal processing module and thus enabling the bio signal to be transmitted to the signal processing module.

2. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein of the at least one contact layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a conductive adhesive, a conductive paste and the combinations thereof.

3. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein a layer of a conductive material is further formed on the electrode at a position sandwiched between the contact layer and the electrode and is electrically connected to the at least one contact layer and the conductive layer.

4. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conductive material is a material selected from the group consisting of a conductive adhesive, a conductive paste and the combinations thereof.

5. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a gold soldering pad, a copper foil, a carbon skin, and the combinations thereof.

6. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal processing module further comprises:

a flexible substrate; and

at least a processing circuit, formed on the flexible substrate for processing the bio signal.

7. The bio-monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a power module, for providing power to the signal processing module.