EP2209126A2 - Flexible deformable cable with textile compound for electromedical assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

The cable has a textile composite (1) from a carrier layer (2) and a cover layer (3), where an electric line (4) is provided between the carrier layer and the cover layer. The electric line is electrically insulated to the carrier layer and the cover layer by insulation (5).

Description

The invention relates to a cable comprising a textile composite of a carrier layer and a cover layer, wherein at least one electrical line is received between the carrier layer and the cover layer.

Cables of the type mentioned above, which are particularly suitable for electromedical applications, such as electrode cables for the recording of electrocardiograms (ECG), are generally known from the prior art. The generic cables are made for example by laminating carrier layers and cover layers in calenders. In this case, the carrier layer and the cover layer are frequently heated in such a way that they at least partially melt and form a stiff composite after cooling. Such a cable is for example from the DE 10 2004 007 875 A1 known.

However, the generic cables are poorly suited for use on the human body because they can not adequately conform to the body shapes and body sizes of the different patients due to their rigidity. Furthermore, in the case of the cables known from the prior art, it can not be ensured that an electrical line laminated between the carrier layer and the cover layer does not produce electrical contacts to the human body when body moistures occur.

Although cables are known that can be functionally applied to the human body, but these are often very expensive and must be cleaned after use. The cleaning and eventual sterilization of the cable is very expensive, especially in the clinical area, since it must be ensured that no viruses or germs remain on the cable. Especially in the clinical area, it is necessary to exclude infections in patients. In particular, nosocomial infections should be excluded.
From the US 5,341,806 There is a length-fold-customizable electrode cable for ECG measurements.

The invention is based on the object to design a cable of the type mentioned and further, that the cable provides cost-effective production on the one hand with penetrating moisture sufficient protection against short circuits and on the other hand easily adapts to curved and irregularly shaped structures.

The present invention achieves the aforementioned object by the features of patent claim 1.

Thereafter, an initially mentioned cable is characterized in that the textile composite is non-destructively flexible deformable, wherein at least one electrical line with respect to the carrier layer and the cover layer is electrically insulated by an insulation.

According to the invention, it has first been recognized that a flexibly deformable configuration of the carrier layer and / or the cover layer allows the cable to be attached to irregularly shaped structures without causing restoring forces. As a result, the cable is particularly suitable for applying to a human body without generating pressure points. Insulation of the electrical line with respect to the carrier layer and the cover layer ensures that even if moisture penetrates into it the carrier layer and / or the cover layer, a flow of current to the human body is prevented. As a result, the cable is particularly suitable to be placed on a human body, as resulting sweat or body fluids can cause no flow of electricity.

According to the invention, it has been recognized, in particular, that the cable feels like a textile material and behaves more or less like a textile material layer. The cable as a whole can be crumpled, deformed and bent like a textile fabric layer.

According to the invention, the cable is not rigid at the moment, but in its entirety it can be flexibly deformed non-destructively. Furthermore, the cable is trapable in its entirety. That is, the cable as a whole is capable of folding, wrapping three-dimensional bodies, and behaving like a textile material in its entirety.

Consequently, the object mentioned above is achieved.

The cable could have a stretchability of up to 15% at least in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to put the cable around elevations and vaults and slightly stretch. The extensibility also allows a non-destructive deformation of the cable. Against this background, it is conceivable that the cable is both elastically extensible and inelastically extensible. With inelastic strain, the cable is moved from an initial length to an end length, with the cable substantially maintaining the final length.

The composite could be at least partially permeable to air through perforations or porous areas. As a result, the cable can be placed directly on a human body, without affecting the skin breathing negative. Through the perforations or porous areas can be a comfortable fit on the human skin be effected. The cable therefore shows a particularly good breathability, since it behaves in its entirety like a textile material and the skin of the human body just does not cover tightly.

The carrier layer and / or the cover layer could be selectively connected to each other. The selective connection creates areas that show high air permeability. Furthermore, the composite remains soft, does not stiffen and remains flexible. The selective connection can be effected by adhesive dots or by welding points. In the field of welding or gluing the composite shows little or no air permeability, but air-permeable areas are created between the points. Depending on the choice of the dot pattern or grid, the air permeability and stiffness of the composite can be adjusted.

Against this background, it is conceivable that the carrier layer and / or the cover layer is designed as a fleece. Due to its porous and loose structure, a nonwoven is at least slightly variable in its thickness and therefore compressible. Furthermore, nonwovens show porous areas of high air permeability due to their porous structure. Due to its easy compressibility and high air permeability, a fleece ensures a high wearing comfort on the human skin.

Against this background, it is conceivable that the carrier layer and / or the cover layer is designed as a fleece made of split fibers, which were produced from bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers often show a so-called PIE structure. Such a bicomponent fiber consists of a plurality of elementary fibers, which are designed like a cake piece in cross section. The elementary fibers are called split fibers and are produced by breaking down the bicomponent fiber into the elementary fibers. The decomposition can be done by water jets. Surprisingly, it has been found that a carrier layer and / or a cover layer, the Spliffasern has, a particularly high wearing comfort, high elasticity and high air permeability shows. Nonwovens or nonwovens of this type are therefore particularly suitable for use in the cable described here.

In addition to woven or knitted fabrics, nonwovens have proven to be particularly advantageous since they can be produced cost-effectively. In addition to the aforementioned fleece of split fibers, a fleece of staple fibers or of filaments, i. Endlosfasern be used, these fibers must be present in non-split form.

The composite could be embedded between two envelopes. Hülllagen stabilize the composite and thus the electrical line or the electrical lines that run within the network.

The two envelopes could be connected to each other at points. Due to the selective connection, the cable has a high flexibility and deformability or flexibility. Depending on the choice of the dot matrix, the stiffness of the cable and its air permeability can be adjusted.

At least one electrical line could be designed as a conductive paste. By this specific embodiment, a very flat composite can be made. Against this background, it is conceivable that the conductive paste shows a high elasticity and thus extensibility even in the hardened or crosslinked state. Such a paste is through the PCT / EP2008 / 007235 been proposed. The content of this international patent application is expressly intended to disclose the present description.

At least one electrical line could be designed as a wire. Wires are characterized by a high mechanical stability, so that the cable easily wound or bent and can be formed in particular in a zigzag, meandering or serpentine.

In particular, metallic wires are characterized by a high electrical conductivity.

Against this background, it is also conceivable that at least one electrical line is designed as a stranded wire. A strand consists of a multitude of individual metallic wires which are twisted together. Strands have proven to be particularly advantageous because they have a high stability and flexibility. The twisted wires can be at least slightly shifted from each other, so that the strand has a high overall flexibility.

The electrical line is surrounded in a preferred embodiment of an electrical shield. This ensures that the currents or electrical signals of the electrical line are not disturbed by electromagnetic fields. In particular, a Einstrahlfestigkeit and a radiation behavior to 2.4 GHz according to DIN EN 60601 at a threshold of 3 V / m to be realized.

Against this background, it is conceivable that the electrical shielding is configured as an electrically conductive shielding paste. Advantageously, a paste is used here as an electrical shield, which is printable on the one hand without problems and on the other can also very well cling to porous structures. In the liquid state, the shielding paste can flow around small unevenness on the carrier layer or cover layer and thereby reliably shield the electrical line. The shielding paste can also easily flow around the electrical line and thus enclose. As the electrically conductive shielding paste, the above-mentioned conductive paste can be used. Advantageously, then shows the conductive Abschirmpaste in the cured or crosslinked state, a high flexibility and elasticity.

The shield could have a bare wire or a bare strand. The bare wire or the bare strand could be inserted in the shield or in the conductive shielding paste or be enclosed by this. This ensures that all parts and areas of the shield are electrically connected to each other. High electrical conductivity is important for active shielding. With an active shield, there is a potential at the bare wire, at the passive one there is no potential at the bare wire.

At least one electrical line could be zigzag, wavy or meandering. Against this background, it is conceivable that a wire in a wave form or in a zigzag shape with rounded teeth runs folded in the composite. In the zigzag form, make sure that the wire is not folded with sharp prongs, but is substantially bent at the corner points of the prongs. This will prevent the wire from being destroyed. This ensures that the electrical line is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. By a tensile force, a wave-shaped electrical line can be pulled almost smooth, so that the electrical line has a high extensibility in the longitudinal direction.

The cable described herein advantageously has a dielectric strength of at least 5 kV between electrical conduction and a cable surface. By this specific embodiment, the cable is suitable for being brought into contact with a human body. The cable surface rests directly on the human body. The high dielectric strength protects the human body from a current flow or electric shock. A cable of this design can easily remain on the human body during defibrillation, since it is not disturbed in its function by the high voltages and currents occurring during defibrillation. The above dielectric strength could also be between the consist of electrical lines and the electrical shield and / or the electrical lines and the cable surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the cable has electrical lines which run in strands which are at least partially separated or separable from one another. As a result, a dimension adaptation of the cable is easily possible because each strand is assignable to another point in the room.

The strands could be separated or separable from each other by perforations or weakening of the material to make length adjustment of the cable. The perforations or material weakenings allow easy separation of individual areas of the cable.

The cable described herein could have a plurality of electrical leads that are substantially parallel to each other. It is conceivable that single or multiple lines run in strands, which are separated from each other at least partially. The regional separation of the strands can be effected by slots which are formed in the composite or in the enveloping layers of the cable. The slots introduced in the composite or in the sheath layers are specially designed as areas of reduced material thickness. The areas of reduced material thickness could be provided by an ultrasonic welding process. The arrangement of these material-weakened areas, it is easily possible to tear the cable at these areas and thereby create individual separated strands. This allows the cable length to be adapted to different geometries and dimensions. In particular, it is conceivable that individual regions of the cable are separated from one another in order to extend in different spatial directions, while contiguous regions extend together in a spatial direction.

Against this background is also conceivable, individual areas of the cable by snap fasteners or Velcro fastenings with each other under training of To connect loops in the cable. If necessary, this connection can be loosened to bring about an extension of the cable. The cable can also, like a garland, be upset wavy, where it can be stretched on a wire for extension.
The folded cable can also be held together by selective ultrasonic welding, for example, at the cable edge. If this connection is made in layers, you can adjust the length of the cable very practically stepwise in length.

Specifically, the cable described herein could have, for example, five electrical leads distributed in two strands. In this case, two lines could run in a first strand and three lines in a second strand. The strands could be made bendable and stretchable against each other. By this specific embodiment, a cable can be generated, which has at least three ends. Such a cable can be placed on a surface, in particular a curved surface, and capture or relay electrical signals at different points on the surface. In particular, the aforementioned cable can be placed on a human body to detect an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this case, one end of the cable could be connected to a device for acquiring an electrocardiogram, the other two ends being connected to electrodes resting on the human body. The cable described herein has a longitudinal elastic stretchability of up to 15%.
In a special embodiment, the cable is additionally folded in such a way that the total length of the stretched composite 1 is 15 to 50% greater than the length of the composite 1 in the folded, unstretched state.

The cable is preferably silicone-free, latex-free or PVC-free. By this specific embodiment, it is particularly suitable for an immediate edition on the human skin.

The cable could have a bending fatigue strength of at least 10,000 cycles. A cable of this strength can be easily used in the medical field, as it withstands the mechanical requirements there.

A cable of the type described here is particularly suitable as a disposable cable in an arrangement for detecting an electrocardiogram. The cable described here is characterized by a high degree of flexibility. Especially in the longitudinal direction, the cable can have a stretchability of up to 15%. This extensibility can be both elastic and inelastic. Furthermore, the cable described here is inexpensive to produce and can therefore be thrown away after a single use. A costly cleaning of the cable to prevent infections of patients, is unnecessary. The insulation of the electrical line with respect to the carrier layer and the cover layer makes the cable insensitive to moisture. The reversible compressibility of the carrier layer and / or the cover layer causes a high wearing comfort. Therefore, the cable is particularly suitable for resting on the human body.

The cable described here is preferably plasma-coated. A plasma coating causes a water- or liquid-repellent equipment of the cable while maintaining its breathability. In particular, fluorocarbons, hydrocarbons or siloxanes could be used as precursors in the plasma coating. Of course, it is also conceivable to use mixtures of the abovementioned substances as precursor. These fabrics have been found to be particularly suitable for rendering the cable hydrophobic while still maintaining high breathability.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. This is on the one hand to the subordinate claims, on the other hand, the following Explanation of preferred embodiments of the teaching of the invention with reference to the drawings.

In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained.

Fig. 1

ein Kabel, bei welchem die elektrische Leitung als Litze ausgebildet ist,

Fig. 2

ein Kabel, bei welchem die elektrische Leitung als Draht ausgebildet ist, und

Fig. 3

ein Kabel, bei welchem der Verbund durch Schweisspunkte erzeugt ist, die durch ein Ultraschallschweissverfahren erzeugt wurden.

In the drawing show

Fig. 1

a cable in which the electrical line is designed as a strand,

Fig. 2

a cable in which the electric wire is formed as a wire, and

Fig. 3

a cable in which the composite is produced by welding points produced by an ultrasonic welding process.

Fig. 1 shows a cable comprising a textile composite 1 of a support layer 2 and a cover layer 3, wherein between the support layer 2 and the cover layer 3 at least one electrical line 4 is added and wherein the textile composite 1 is destructively flexible deformable. The electrical line 4 is electrically insulated from the carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 by an insulation 5. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are reversibly compressible. The cable according to Fig. 1 is characterized by an elastic extensibility in the longitudinal direction, ie in the direction of the line 4, from. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are connected by adhesive dots 6 at points. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are configured as nonwovens. The nonwovens consist of split fibers, the made of bicomponent fibers. In concrete terms, non-woven fabrics of the type having the trade designation EVOLON having a basis weight of 60 g / m ² were used. The composite 1 therefore has porous regions which are made permeable to air. The porous regions 7 are at least between the adhesive dots 6.

The composite 1 is embedded between two envelopes 8. The two envelopes 8 are also connected via adhesive dots 9 selectively with each other and with the composite 1.

The electrical line 4 is designed as a strand 10. The strand 10 consists of a plurality of individual wires 11, which are twisted together. The electrical line 4, which is electrically insulated by the insulation 5, is surrounded by an electrical shield 12. The electrical shield 12 is designed in particular as a conductive shielding paste. In the conductive Abschirmpaste a bare wire 13 is embedded. The electrical shield 12 abuts directly on the electrical line 4 and is applied on the sides of the carrier layer 2 or cover layer 3, which face the electrical line 4.

The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 could also be configured as a foam, which exhibits sufficient compressibility and elastic extensibility in the longitudinal direction. The same applies to the enveloping layers 8. It is also conceivable to manufacture the enveloping layers 8 from a nonwoven fabric from which the carrier layer 2 or cover layer 3 is also made.

Fig. 2 shows a cable with an analogous structure of the cable according to Fig. 1 , wherein as electrical line 4, a single wire 14 is used, which is surrounded by an insulation 5. The wire 14 is thereby protected against moisture. Incidentally, the cable shows according to Fig. 2 the same structure as the cable according to Fig. 1 , To avoid repetition, be on it noted that in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 like reference characters designate like components of the cable.

Fig. 3 shows a cable comprising a textile composite 1 of a support layer 2 and a cover layer 3, wherein between the support layer 2 and the cover layer 3 at least one electrical line 4 is added and wherein the textile composite 1 is destructively flexible deformable. The electrical line 4 is electrically insulated from the carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 by an insulation 5. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are reversibly compressible. The cable according to Fig. 3 is characterized by an elastic extensibility in the longitudinal direction. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are selectively connected to each other by welding points 6a. The welding points 6a were generated by ultrasonic welding. The carrier layer 2 and the cover layer 3 are configured as nonwovens. The nonwovens consist of split fibers made of bicomponent fibers. Concretely, nonwoven fabrics of the type for example of the trade name EVOLON having a basis weight of 60 g / m ^{2 were} used. The composite 1 therefore has porous regions which are made permeable to air. The porous regions 7 are at least between the welding points 6a.

The composite 1 is embedded between two envelopes 8. The two envelopes 8 are also connected via welding points 9a selectively with each other and with the textile composite 1. The welding points 9a were generated by ultrasonic welding.

The electrical line 4 is designed in particular as a strand 10. The strand 10 consists of a plurality of individual wires 11, which are twisted together. The electrical line 4, which is electrically insulated by the insulation 5, is surrounded by an electrical shield 12. The electrical shield 12 is preferably designed as a conductive shielding paste. In the conductive Abschirmpaste a bare wire 13 is embedded. The electrical shield 12 is applied directly to the electrical line 4 and is applied to the sides of the carrier layer 2 and cover layer 3, which are facing the electrical line 4.

The in the Fig.1 to 3 shown embodiments show cables that are characterized by a high elasticity and bending ability due to the electrical lines 4 used, the electrically conductive shielding paste and the nonwoven fabrics used. In concrete terms, each cable exhibits elastic extensibility at least in the longitudinal direction of up to 15% of the initial length. As nonwoven fabrics for the carrier layer 2, the cover layer 3 and the enveloping layers 8, for example, a nonwoven fabric of the type EVOLON Freudenberg nonwovens KG, 69469 Weinheim, DE was used. The nonwovens showed a basis weight of 60 g / m ² . When a single wire 14 was used as the electrical lead 4, it was laid in meandering or wave form in the composite 1 to ensure the elasticity and elongation of the cable in its entirety. For the electrical shield 12, an electrically conductive shielding paste was used, as shown in the PCT / EP2008 / 007235 is proposed.

In addition to the elastic extensibility of the cable, a folded structure of the composite 1 can be used to adjust the length of the cable for different body sizes and body shapes, for example, for premature and neonatal patients on the one hand and for large and vigorous adult patients on the other hand. The length of the stretched composite 1 can thus be for example 15 to 50% greater than in the folded, unstretched state.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments and developments of the teaching of the invention reference is made on the one hand to the general part of the description and on the other hand to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be particularly emphasized that the previously selected embodiments merely serve to describe the teaching of the invention, but not limit these to these embodiments.

Claims (16)

Cable comprising a textile composite (1) comprising a carrier layer (2) and a cover layer (3), wherein at least one electrical line (4) is accommodated between the carrier layer (2) and the cover layer (3), characterized in that textile composite (1) is destructively flexible deformable, wherein at least one electrical line (4) relative to the carrier layer (2) and the cover layer (3) by an insulation (5) is electrically insulated. Cable according to claim 1, characterized by an extensibility at least in the longitudinal direction of up to 15%, in particular by a longitudinal extensibility of 0.1 to 15%. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier layer (2) and / or the cover layer (3) are selectively interconnected. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier layer (2) and / or the cover layer (3) is designed as a fleece. Cable according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrier layer (2) and / or the cover layer (3) is designed as a fleece of split fibers, which were produced from bicomponent fibers. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composite (1) is embedded between two enveloping layers (8). Cable according to claim 6, characterized in that the two enveloping layers (8) are selectively connected to each other. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical line (4) is designed as a conductive paste. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical line (4) is designed as a wire (14). Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical line (4) is designed as a stranded wire (10). Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical line (4) by an electrical shield (12) is surrounded, wherein the shield (12) is designed as an electrically conductive Abschirmpaste. Cable according to claim 11, characterized in that the shield (12) has a bare wire (13). Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one line (4) zigzag, wavy or meandering runs. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by electrical lines (4) extending in at least partially separated or separable strands. Cable according to claim 14, characterized by strands which are separated or separable from one another by perforations or weakenings of material in order to make a length adjustment of the cable, wherein the cable is folded in layers and fixed by welding points. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile composite (1) is folded such that the total length of the composite (1) in the extended state 15 to 50% greater than the length of the composite (1) in the folded, not stretched condition.

Images