Sensor arrangement

• US 8,386,009 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindberg, Phillip, Pernu, Kimmo, Manni, Jukka, Savolainen, Tapio, Putkinen, Hannu, Akkila, Jari, Rahkonen, Satu, Lindman, Erik, Liljemark, Jorma
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/808,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20070285868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 600/386, 600388-390, 600/393
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/22 Electromedical belts , e.g. neck chains, armbands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.

Abstract

A sensor for measuring a physiological signal and a method for manufacturing such a sensor. Such a sensor includes a flexible substrate and at least one electrode, which has a signalling surface, which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate. In addition, the sensor includes a signal transmission conductor, which is connected electrically to the electrode. The signal transmission conductor is attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate. The sensor is reliable, economical to manufacture, and comfortable to the user.

Claims

1. A sensor for measuring a physiological signal from outside a body, the sensor comprising:

a flexible substrate, which is permeable to moisture, and which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

at least one electrode attached to said substrate and having a signalling surface, which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate,

a signal transmission conductor connected electrically to said electrode, wherein an entire length of the signal transmission conductor is attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate, the signal transmission conductor comprising a conductive substance applied in fluid or solid form; and

an installation zone, onto which an electronics module is removably attachable, is formed on the signal transmission conductor, the installation zone being provided with metallic contact wires integrated on an inner circumference thereof;

wherein said signal transmission conductor is connected electrically to the metallic contact wires situated in the installation zone, so that when the electronics module is attached onto the installation zone, the metallic contact wires in the installation zone make electrical contact with the electronics module.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission conductor is attached to the substrate with the aid of at least one of a watertight and an electrically insulating layer, which is located between the signal transmission conductor and the substrate.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein an intermediate layer is permanently attached to the substrate beneath the signal transmission conductor.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate layer is arranged to make the sensor unstretchable or poorly stretchable, however, while retaining its flexibility.

5. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the signal transmission conductor is permanently attached to the intermediate layer.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is arranged on the substrate in such a way that there is a direct contact connection to the signalling surface of the electrode from the first surface of the substrate.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode extends through the entire substrate in its thickness direction.

8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the electrode and the signal transmission conductor consist of a single layer or piece formed from essentially the same material.

9. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmission conductor is located between two watertight layers attached to each other in a watertight manner.

10. The sensor according to claim 1, which comprises at least one conductor layer arranged under or on top of the signal transmission conductor, in such a way that an insulator laminate is arranged between the conductor layer and the signal transmission conductor.

11. The sensor according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one protective layer placed on top of the signal transmission conductor, so that the signal conductor remains in an inner layer of a structure of the sensor, in such a way that elongation of the signal conductor when the structure is bent is substantially less than that of the outer layers of the structure.

12. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is of a textile material.

13. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module contains means for transmitting, recording, or displaying a measured physiological signal.

14. The sensor according to claim 1, which comprises a layer structure, in which there are at least three layers arranged detachably on top of each other, one of which forms the signal transmission conductor and one continues as a textile or elastic structure, in such a way that it can be arranged around some part of the body, in order to bring the signalling surface of the electrode substantially against the skin.

15. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate continues in a unified form from the surface on the side of the signalling surface of the electrode to the second surface of the flexible substrate, in such a way that the signal transmission conductor remains essentially inside a tubular structure made from the substrate material.

16. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is a heart rate belt for positioning around a chest of an individual.

17. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is an apparel wherein an innermost textile layer of the apparel forms said flexible substrate.

18. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate extends over the whole area of the sensor, apart from the area of the electrode.

19. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the installation zone is a ring-shaped structure.

20. A sensor for measuring a physiological signal from outside a body, the sensor comprising:

a flexible substrate, which is permeable to moisture, and which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

at least one electrode attached to the flexible substrate and having a signalling surface, which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate, and

a signal transmission conductor, which is connected electrically to said electrode and attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate, the signal transmission conductor comprising a conductive substance applied in a fluid or a solid form; and

an installation zone, onto which an electronics module is removably attachable, is formed on the signal transmission conductor and a contact area is situated in the installation zone, the installation zone being provided with metallic contact wires integrated on an inner circumference thereof;

wherein the signal transmission conductor is electrically connected to the metallic contact wires, so that when the electronics module is attached onto the installation zone, the metallic contact wires in the installation zone make electrical contact with the electronics module.

21. The sensor according to claim 20, wherein said electronics module contains means for transmitting, recording or displaying a measured physiological signal.

22. The sensor according to claim 20, wherein the flexible substrate extends over substantially an area of the sensor except for an area of the electrode.

23. The sensor according to claim 20, wherein the installation zone is a ring-shaped structure.

24. A method for making a sensor for measuring a physiological signal from outside a body, the method comprising:

providing a flexible substrate, which is permeable to moisture, and which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

attaching at least one electrode to said substrate, the electrode having a signalling surface which faces in the same direction as the first surface of the flexible substrate,

electrically connecting a signal transmission conductor to said electrode, an entire length of the signal transmission conductor being attached in a watertight manner to the second surface of the substrate, the signal transmission conductor comprising a conductive substance applied in a fluid or a solid form; and

removably attaching an electronics module onto an installation zone formed on the signal transmission conductor, the installation zone being provided with metallic contact wires integrated on an inner circumference thereof;

wherein said signal transmission conductor is connected electrically to the metallic contact wires situated in the installation zone, so that when the electronics module is attached onto the installation zone, the metallic contact wires in the installation zone makes electrical contact with the electronics module.