Patent Description:
An electronic device, which measures bio-signals such as ECG (ElectroCardioGram) and EEG (ElectroEncephaloGram), must be well contacted with the electrodes that are in contact with the body and mechanically reliably fixed to its support. Typically there is at least some electromechanical part for connecting and fixing the non-disposable bio-signal measurement device into the disposable single-use electrode part. An electromechanical connector is a both complicated and expensive part to manufacture and assemble on the disposable patch electrode. Because the patch electrode will be disposed after only a single use, also electromechanical connector is discarded with the patch electrode. A prior art biosignal measurement system is disclosed in <CIT> (<CIT>).

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the measurements.

If one or more of the embodiments is considered not to fall under the scope of the independent claims, such an embodiment is or such embodiments are still useful for understanding features of the invention.

The articles "a" and "an" give a general sense of entities, structures, components, compositions, operations, functions, connections or the like in this document. Note also that singular terms may include pluralities.

Furthermore, words "comprising" and "including" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such embodiments may also contain features/structures that have not been specifically mentioned. All combinations of the embodiments are considered possible if their combination does not lead to structural or logical contradiction.

The term "about" means that quantities or any numeric values are not exact and typically need not be exact. The reason may be tolerance, resolution, measurement error, rounding off or the like, or a fact that the feature of the solution in this document only requires that the quantity or numeric value is approximately that large. A certain tolerance is always included in real life quantities and numeric values.

It should be noted that while Figures illustrate various embodiments, they are simplified diagrams that only show some structures and/or functional entities. The connections shown in the Figures may refer to logical or physical connections. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the described apparatus may also comprise other functions and structures than those described in Figures and text. It should be appreciated that details of some functions, structures, and the signalling used for measurement and/or controlling are irrelevant to the actual invention. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detail here.

Examples of an electric apparatus <NUM> are explained below with <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an electric apparatus <NUM> that is in mechanical and electrical contact with a patch electrode structure <NUM>. The patch electrode structure <NUM> is a piece of sheet that may be narrow like a band or broad like a wider planar surface and it is often fairly thin. The dimensions of the patch electrode structure <NUM> may resemble those of sheet of plastic, paper, board or cloth. The patch electrode structure <NUM> is configured to be attached to skin of a mammal such as a human being for a bio-signal measurement. The bio-signal may be related to body movement, body temperature, heart rate variability, electrocardiogram, electromyogram, electroencephalogram or the like for example. During a measurement, the patch electrode structure <NUM> feeds directly or indirectly electrical bio-signals to a non-disposable bio-signal device that is separate from the patch electrode structure <NUM>. The disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> may have a PET-layer.

In an embodiment, the electric apparatus <NUM> may comprise the non-disposable bio-signal device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electric apparatus <NUM> may be a wired connector between the patch electrode structure <NUM> and the bio-signal device <NUM> (shown with dashed lines in <FIG>). The electric apparatus <NUM> may comprise a back side connector <NUM>, which may be a universal series bus (USB) connector, for example.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an exploded view drawing of the non-disposable electric apparatus <NUM> of the bio-signal measurement system. The electric apparatus <NUM> comprises a front part <NUM> and a back part <NUM>. The front part <NUM> comprises a lid <NUM> and a frame part <NUM>. The frame part <NUM> and the lid <NUM> together comprise or are mechanically connected with a quick locking mechanism <NUM> for locking the lid <NUM> in the closed position with respect to the frame part <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is configured to open at a face of the front part <NUM> for forming an opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the front part <NUM>. The front part <NUM> comprises a compartment <NUM> at a back side of the front part <NUM>. The compartment <NUM> is configured to house the back part <NUM> when the back part <NUM> is inserted therein. The compartment <NUM> is made to match with the back part <NUM> within tolerances.

The frame part <NUM> of the front part <NUM> may comprise a wall <NUM> at an end of the compartment <NUM> within the front part <NUM>. The wall <NUM> comprises an aperture <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> may be rectangular, for example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the back part <NUM> comprises an electric circuit conductors <NUM> and an extension plate <NUM>, which is configured to extend through the aperture <NUM> to the front part <NUM> when the back part <NUM> is inserted in the compartment <NUM>. Shapes of the aperture <NUM> and the extension plate <NUM> are matched together for making the aperture <NUM> with the extension plate <NUM> resin proof.

The extension plate <NUM> comprises first electric contacts <NUM> of the electric circuit conductors <NUM> (see <FIG>). The first electric contacts <NUM> being configured to reside within the front part <NUM> when the extension plate <NUM> has penetrated the aperture <NUM> while the back part <NUM> is within the compartment <NUM>, and the first electric contacts <NUM> acting as counter-electrodes for electrodes <NUM> of a front flap <NUM> of a disposable patch electrode structure <NUM>.

The electric apparatus <NUM> is configured to slide on a main structure <NUM> of a disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> toward a front flap <NUM> of the patch electrode structure <NUM> with the face ahead, and receive the front flap <NUM> through the opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> into a volume under the lid <NUM> for forming a contact between the first electric contacts <NUM> and the electrodes <NUM> of the front flap <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> is configured to cause pressure between the first electric contacts <NUM> and the electrodes <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> while the lid <NUM> is closed.

At least one of the back part <NUM> and the front part <NUM> comprises resin holes <NUM>. The compartment <NUM> contains resin received through the resin holes <NUM>. The resin is configured immobilize the front part <NUM> and the back part <NUM> with respect to each other and attach them together while the wall <NUM> is configured to keep the volume under the lid <NUM> and the compartment <NUM> as separate departments and prevent the resin from entering the volume under the lid <NUM> during the manufacturing phase. The resin is curable and after it has hardened the front part <NUM> and the back part <NUM> cannot be separated from each other.

The resin may be a synthetic or natural polymer that may be used as an adhesive. The resin is used in the electric apparatus as a filler which also glues parts of the electric apparatus together in the back side. The resin may be thermoplastic, for example. The resin may be epoxy, silicon, <NUM>-glue, polyurethane or the like, for example.

In an embodiment, the front part <NUM> and the back part <NUM> together may comprise a non-openable instant interlocking structure <NUM> which attaches the front part <NUM> and the back part <NUM> together preventing them from moving with respect to each other.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a cross section of the electric apparatus <NUM> with the front flap <NUM> inside the electric apparatus <NUM>. The lid <NUM> causes pressure between the front flap <NUM> and the first electric contacts <NUM> while the lid <NUM> is closed for securing an efficient electric and mechanical contact between the electric apparatus and the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM>.

In an embodiment an example of which is illustrated in <FIG>, the opening <NUM> of the front part <NUM>, the opening <NUM> being formed under the lid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is raised, may also receive side flaps <NUM> of the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> at both sides <NUM>, <NUM> of electric apparatus. The lid <NUM> may then cause pressure between the sides <NUM>, <NUM> and the side flaps <NUM> while the lid <NUM> is closed for securing an efficient mechanical contact between the electric apparatus and the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the frame part <NUM>. When the back part <NUM> is inserted into the compartment <NUM>, the extension plate <NUM> may extend through the aperture <NUM> to the front part <NUM>. Shapes of the aperture <NUM> and the extension plate <NUM> are matched together for making the aperture <NUM> with the extension plate <NUM> resin proof.

<FIG> illustrates an example the extension plate <NUM>, which comprises the first electric contacts <NUM> of the electric circuit conductors <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates an embodiment, where the frame part <NUM> has a clearance <NUM> along the length of the extension plate <NUM>. However, at the wall <NUM> the clearance <NUM> is smaller because of a widening wedge shape of the extension plate <NUM>. In this manner, the sides of the extension plate <NUM> and the frame part <NUM> are made to touch each other when the extension plate <NUM> is properly inserted within the compartment <NUM>. When the extension plate <NUM> and the frame part <NUM> touch each other they close the clearing <NUM> and prevent the resin from entering the front part <NUM> through the aperture <NUM> of the wall <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> and the electric apparatus with the lid <NUM> removed. The front flap <NUM> that is a similarly thin as the rest of the patch electrode structure <NUM> is separated from the main structure <NUM> by a non-enclosing front flap cut <NUM> that does not fully enclose or encircle an area of the patch electrode structure <NUM>. The front flap <NUM> is attached and thus hinged at a rear side <NUM> with the main structure <NUM>. Material of the front flap <NUM> thus forms a continuous materialistic connection <NUM> with the main structure <NUM> because their basic structure is the same or similar. The front flap <NUM> is thus integrated materialistically with the main structure <NUM>.

The materialistic connection <NUM> of the continuous material between a rear section <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> at a non-enclosing side of the front flap cut <NUM> and the main structure <NUM> allows a tilt of the front flap <NUM> with respect to the main structure <NUM> in response to rise of a frontal section <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> with respect to the main structure <NUM>. The frontal section <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> rises when tilted in a direction of a normal N of the main structure <NUM>. The frontal section <NUM> is opposite to the rear section <NUM>.

The front flap <NUM> is fully surrounded by the main structure <NUM> in a plane of the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM>.

The front flap <NUM> comprises contact electrodes <NUM> at a frontal section <NUM> of the front flap <NUM>. The contact electrodes <NUM> may be AgCI-printed electrodes, for example (AgCl means silver chloride). The contact electrodes <NUM> may be on one side of the front flap <NUM> and can be understood to be a "backside" of the front flap <NUM> although the contact electrodes <NUM> are drawn visible on the front flap <NUM> in <FIG>. The contact electrodes <NUM> are on the same surface of the patch electrode structure <NUM> as measurement electrodes <NUM> that are configured to be touching the skin of a mammal during a bio-signal measurement. As can be seen in <FIG>, the counter-electrodes <NUM> can contact with the contact electrodes <NUM> when the contact electrodes <NUM> are on the "backside" the front flap <NUM> i.e. on side that comes in contact with the counter-electrodes <NUM>. The contact electrodes <NUM> are both connected with the measurement electrodes <NUM> of the main structure <NUM> through conductors via the materialistic connection <NUM> and configured to connect with counter-electrodes <NUM> of the electric apparatus <NUM> separate from the patch electrode structure <NUM>. The counter-electrodes <NUM> may be flexible, spring-like curves of metal, for example.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example when the electric apparatus 30is on the patch electrode structure <NUM>. In <FIG>, the electric apparatus <NUM> is at a distance from the front flap <NUM>. In <FIG>, the electric apparatus <NUM> is in contact with the front flap <NUM> and about to rise the front flap <NUM>. In <FIG>, the electric apparatus <NUM> has raised the front flap <NUM> and the contact electrodes <NUM> are in contact with the counter electrodes <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates an embodiment where the electric apparatus <NUM> includes the bio-signal measurement device <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates an embodiment, where the bio-signal measurement device <NUM> is in wired connection with the electric apparatus <NUM>, which in this embodiment is a wired connector.

In an embodiment, the front flap <NUM> comprises at least one mechanical coupling element <NUM> for a mechanical connection with a mechanical counterpart <NUM>' of the electric apparatus <NUM>. The at least one mechanical coupling element <NUM> may comprise a hole or a weakened area i.e. a preform of a hole, for example, for the coupling.

In an embodiment, the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> further may comprise the first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM>.

In embodiment, the first side flap <NUM> may be separated from the patch electrode structure <NUM> by a non-enclosing first side flap cut <NUM>' which may be connected or included in the non-enclosing front flap cut <NUM>. The first side flap cut <NUM>' may be united with the front flap cut <NUM> and they may form a single flap cut unseparable from each other. Material of the first side flap <NUM> is thus formed as continuous material of the main structure <NUM> such that materialistic connection <NUM> of the continuous material between a rear section <NUM> of the first side flap <NUM> at a non-enclosing side of the first side flap cut <NUM> and the main structure <NUM> are configured to allow tilt of the first side flap <NUM> in a direction of a normal N of the main structure <NUM> with respect to the main structure <NUM>. The tilt may be caused by a face <NUM> of the electric apparatus <NUM>. The side flaps <NUM>, <NUM> may have mechanical coupling elements <NUM>, <NUM> similar to the mechanical coupling element <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> for their mechanical coupling counterpart elements <NUM>', <NUM>' of the electric apparatus <NUM>.

The second side flap <NUM> may be separated from the patch electrode structure <NUM> by a non-enclosing second side flap cut <NUM>", which may be connected or included in the non-enclosing front flap cut <NUM>. The second side flap cut <NUM>" may be united with the front flap cut <NUM> and or the first side flap cut <NUM>' and they may form a single flap cut unseparable from each other. Material of the second side flap <NUM> is thus formed as continuous material of the main structure <NUM> such that materialistic connection <NUM>' of the continuous material between a rear section <NUM>' of the second side flap <NUM> at a non-enclosing side of the second side flap cut <NUM> and the main structure <NUM> is configured to allow tilt of the second side flap <NUM> with respect to the main structure <NUM>.

The first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM> may face each other spaced by a predetermined gap therebetween when raised against the sides of the electric apparatus <NUM>. The predetermined gap may be matched with the electric apparatus <NUM>. The first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM> are configured to tilt in opposite directions with respect to each other based on the continuous materialistic connections <NUM>, <NUM>'. In addition to that, the first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM> are configured to tilt in a direction perpendicular to the tilt of the front flap <NUM> while the front flap <NUM>, the first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM> rise to same direction parallel to the normal N of the main structure <NUM>. That is, the front flap <NUM>, the first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM> rise above the main structure <NUM> on the same side of the patch electrode structure <NUM>.

The frontal section <NUM> of the front flap <NUM> may be configured to face to or reside within the gap between the first side flap <NUM> and the second side flap <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the lid <NUM> and the opening <NUM>. When lid <NUM> is open, the front flap <NUM> can enter the volume of the electric apparatus <NUM> under the lid <NUM>. After that the lid <NUM> can be closed for an efficient and proper mechanical and electrical contact between the electric apparatus <NUM> and the patch electrode structure <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example where the electric apparatus <NUM> is connected with an electric charger <NUM> for charging a battery of the electric apparatus <NUM>. Instead of charger <NUM>, the electric apparatus <NUM> be electrically connected with other electric apparatuses such data processing and/or data storing apparatuses. Then instead of pure electric energy, measured information can be transferred from the electric apparatus <NUM>. Additionally, data, commands and/or computer programs may be transferred.

The connection can be realized by opening the lid <NUM>, removing a the front flap <NUM> or any other similar connector from the front part <NUM>, inserting a first connector <NUM> of a wire <NUM> similar to the front flap <NUM> into the volume between the frame part <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. After that the lid <NUM> can be closed for securing the electric and mechanical connection between the first connector <NUM> and the electric apparatus <NUM>, the charging may begin if also a potential second connector <NUM> of the wire <NUM> is properly connected with the charger <NUM>. Data transfer may be performed in a similar manner.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the non-disposable bio-signal measurement device as the electric apparatus <NUM>. The electric apparatus then comprises one or more processors <NUM> and one or more memories <NUM> including computer program code. The one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code may be configured to, with the one or more processors <NUM>, cause the electric apparatus <NUM> at least to receive bio-signal from the patch electrode structure <NUM> and perform data processing of the bio-signal.

Structurally, the electric apparatus <NUM> may be described in the following manner. The basic structure may comprise two separate main parts - housing, which includes the front part <NUM> (lid <NUM> and the frame part <NUM>) and assembled PCB structure or the like, which includes the extension plate <NUM>. The assembled PCB structure can be made to have a direct contact to the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM>. Hence, no separate connectors are needed.

The housing and the assembled PCB structure are fixed together with sliding structure that forms a piled structure between the PCB structure and the housing.

The main assembly of the housing and the PCB are sealed up with lock part that snaps the PCB structure into the housing and pre-locks it in correct position.

The lock feature pre-locks the necessary parts in place and enables resin such as dispension glue to be added to the structure from purposely designed holes with cavities where air can be pushed out. No gaskets or screws are needed on device/adapter assembly. The resin makes the electric apparatus water and sweat proof while still having a simple and repeatedly openable and closable connection structure for the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> and also for other devices such as charger <NUM>, for example.

<FIG> is a flow chart of the manufacturing method of an electric apparatus of a bio-signal measurement system. In step <NUM>, a back part <NUM> is inserted into a compartment <NUM> of a front part <NUM> of the electric apparatus <NUM>, the back part <NUM> comprising an electric circuit conductors <NUM> and an extension plate <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, an extension plate <NUM>, which comprises first electric contacts <NUM> of the electric circuit conductors <NUM>, is guided into the front part <NUM> while inserting the back part <NUM> within the compartment <NUM>, the first electric contacts <NUM> acting as counter-electrodes for electrodes <NUM> of a front flap <NUM> of a disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> and the electric apparatus <NUM> being configured receive the front flap <NUM> of the disposable patch electrode structure <NUM> into a volume of the front part <NUM> for a contact between the first electric contacts <NUM> and the electrodes <NUM> of the front flap <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the compartment <NUM> is filled with resin received through the resin holes <NUM> which are part of at least one of the back part <NUM> and the front part <NUM>, the resin being configured immobilize the front part <NUM> and the back part <NUM> with respect to each other and attaching them together.

Claim 1:
An electric apparatus of a bio-signal measurement system, wherein
the electric apparatus (<NUM>), which is non-disposable, comprises a front part (<NUM>) and a back part (<NUM>);
the front part (<NUM>) comprises a compartment (<NUM>) at a back side of the front part (<NUM>), the compartment (<NUM>) being configured to house the back part (<NUM>) when inserted therein;
the back part (<NUM>) comprises electric circuit conductors (<NUM>) and an extension plate (<NUM>), which is configured to extend to the front part (<NUM>) within the electric apparatus (<NUM>);
the extension plate (<NUM>) comprises first electric contacts (<NUM>) of the electric circuit conductors (<NUM>), the first electric contacts (<NUM>) being configured to reside within the front part (<NUM>) when the back part (<NUM>) is within the compartment (<NUM>), the first electric contacts (<NUM>) acting as counter-electrodes for electrodes (<NUM>) of a front flap (<NUM>) of a disposable patch electrode structure (<NUM>);
the electric apparatus is configured receive the front flap (<NUM>) of the disposable patch electrode structure (<NUM>) into a volume of the front part (<NUM>) for forming a contact between the first electric contacts (<NUM>) and the electrodes (<NUM>) of the front flap (<NUM>);
at least one of the back part (<NUM>) and the front part (<NUM>) comprises resin holes (<NUM>), and the compartment (<NUM>) contains resin received through the resin holes (<NUM>), the resin being configured immobilize the front part (<NUM>) and the back part (<NUM>) with respect to each other and attaching them together.