Biosignal measurement device

• US 9,693,705 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hayakawa, Tomohiro, Wada, Seiji, Nakamura, Mitsuhiro, Yamashita, Shiko, Nakashima, Yusaku, Yamamoto, Takuro, Kimura, Natsuki, Soma, Haruhiko, Wang, Fan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardinal, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US13/380,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20120190959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,563 Days
• Field of Search: 600372, 600382, 600383, 600390, 600544-545, 381379
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

A biosignal measurement device is proposed which can improve measurement accuracy without forcing an excessive burden on subjects.

A biosignal measurement device used for measurement of a biosignal in a head includes a support that can support the head, and an electrode provided to the support. The electrode has a plurality of teeth each including an annular portion in which a pair of linear members having conductivity are formed in an annular shape, and a rod-like portion in which the pair of linear members are wound in opposite directions and formed in a rod-like shape. The rod-like portion in each of the plurality of teeth is directly or indirectly fixed at one end to the support.

Claims

1. A biosignal measurement device for measurement of a biosignal in a head, comprising:

a support configured to attach to the head;

a plurality of depressions in a surface of the support at first intervals;

a plurality of electrodes in the plurality of depressions;

a plurality of grooves at second intervals in a lengthwise direction of the support; and

an adjuster section configured to slide in the lengthwise direction of the support,

wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a substrate and a plurality of conductive fibers,

wherein an end of conductive fiber of the plurality of conductive fibers is fixed to a surface of the substrate, wherein each conductive fiber of the plurality of conductive fibers is orthogonal to the surface of the substrate, and

wherein a portion of an inner surface of the adjuster section facing the plurality of grooves is provided with a claw configured to fit in each groove of the plurality of grooves.

2. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 1,

wherein the support is further configured to attach to the head while clamping the head between a forehead abutment section abutted against a forehead and an occiput abutment section abutted against an occiput.

3. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 2, wherein:

the substrate is fixed to one of the plurality of depressions in the surface of the support; and

the one of the plurality of depressions has a depth such that a distal end portion of each of the plurality of conductive fibers projects from the surface of the support and the one of the plurality of depressions has a first surface area larger than a second surface area in which the plurality of conductive fibers are fixed to the substrate.

4. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of conductive fibers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of:

carbon, amorphous carbon, stainless steel, and copper sulfide chemically bonded to acrylic fibers and nylon fibers.

5. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the forehead abutment section includes a recessed groove.

6. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the support is provided with a casing that protrudes from the outer surface.

7. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 6, wherein the casing includes a fixed region and a protruding region, and wherein the protruding region is separated from the support and protruded upward at a distance from the outer surface of the support.

8. A biosignal measurement device for measurement of a biosignal in a head, comprising:

a support configured to attach to the head;

a plurality of depressions in a surface of the support at first intervals;

a plurality of electrodes in the plurality of depressions,

wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a substrate and a plurality of conductive fibers,

wherein an end of each conductive fiber of the plurality of conductive fibers is fixed to a surface of the substrate, wherein each conductive fiber of the plurality of conductive fibers is orthogonal to the surface of the substrate,

wherein the support is attached to a forehead abutment section at a front end of the support and attached to an occiput abutment section at a rear end of the support,

wherein the occiput abutment section includes a first region and a second region,

wherein the first region is a center region of the occiput abutment section,

wherein the second region is a region of the occiput abutment section other than the center region of the occiput abutment section such that the second region surrounds the first region, and

wherein the first region and the second region of the occiput abutment section comprise different materials;

a plurality of grooves at second intervals in a lengthwise direction of the support; and

an adjuster section configured to slide in the lengthwise direction of the support,

wherein a portion of an inner surface of the adjuster section facing the plurality of grooves is provided with a claw configured to fit in each groove of the plurality of grooves.

9. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 8,

wherein the occiput abutment section has one of an acuminate fin shape or a spade shape.

10. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 8,

wherein an area of the occiput abutment section is wider than an area of the forehead abutment section.

11. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 8,

wherein the forehead abutment section has a teardrop shape.

12. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 8,

wherein the forehead abutment section and the first region of the occiput abutment section comprise different materials.

13. The biosignal measurement device according to claim 8,

wherein the forehead abutment section and the second region of the occiput abutment section comprise a same material.