EP3592222A1

EP3592222A1 - System for capturing biosignals

Info

Publication number: EP3592222A1
Application number: EP17709907.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian HERBERGER
Original assignee: Mentalab GmbH
Current assignee: Mentalab GmbH
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2020-01-15
Also published as: JP7027464B2; CN110913759A; US20210128042A1; WO2018162018A1; JP2020509915A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for capturing biosignals, having a sensor unit and a patch, attachable to the body, having electrodes and printed circuit boards, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connectable to one another by way of a connector arranged on the patch such that an electric connection can be established and the sensor unit is held at the body by way of the patch at the same time, with the sensor unit having a housing. Here, provision is made for the sensor unit to be detachably connectable to the connector by means of a rotation of the housing relative thereto.

Description

System for detecting biosignals

The present invention relates to a system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and an attachable to the body patch with electrodes and tracks, wherein the sensor unit and the patch via a connector arranged on the patch are mechanically interconnected so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the body via the plaster, the sensor unit having a housing.

Such systems allow a much more convenient detection of biosignals such as. An ECG, since on the one hand, the position of the electrodes is defined by the plaster, and on the other hand, the sensor unit can be worn on the body, which in particular significantly simplifies long-term measurements. Preferably, the sensor unit is held solely by the adhesive force of the patch on the patient.

Such systems are known, for example, from US 2015/0164324 A1. In one embodiment, the connector and the patch are embodied as a disposable, with which the sensor unit is connected for the measurement of biosignals. that will. The electrical connection of the sensor unit is made with electrical contacts of the connector, which in turn contact contact areas of the tracks of the patch. As mechanical connection options are called a snap connection, a Velcro connection or a screw.

Another such system is known from EP 1 979 040 B1. The mechanical connection is made by latching the sensor unit into arms of the connector, which laterally surround the housing of the sensor unit. The electrical connection of the sensor unit is made with electrical contacts of the connector, which in turn contact contact areas of the tracks of the patch. The electrical contacts of the connector can contact with arranged on a back of the patch tracks, or arranged on a folded under the connector tab arranged tracks.

The object of the present invention is to improve the mechanical and / or electrical connection between the sensor unit and the patch.

This object is achieved by the systems described in more detail below according to the independent aspects of the invention.

According to a first independent aspect, the present invention comprises a system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and a body-attachable patch with electrodes and conductor tracks, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connected to one another via a connector arranged on the patch so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the plaster on the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises a housing. According to the first aspect, the system is characterized in that the sensor unit can be detachably connected to the connector by means of a rotation of the housing relative to the connector.

This allows a 1-point fixation of the sensor unit on the connector, which preferably produced with one hand and more preferably with one hand again is solvable. Furthermore, the connection via a rotary movement has the advantage that a relatively small footprint of the connector is sufficient for mechanical connection to the housing. This in turn increases the wearing comfort. Furthermore, a fast and intuitively producible connections of a possible embodiment is provided, in that the connector has a mechanical connection region, which can be detachably connected by a rotary movement to a mechanical connection region of the sensor unit.

Preferably, the mechanical connection areas lock in at least one defined rotational position to each other. Particularly preferably, the mechanical connection areas lock together in only a single defined rotational position. This ensures a secure electrical contact, since the corresponding electrical contact elements in the locked position thereby clearly associated with each other spatially.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the one mechanical connecting region has at least one projecting annular segment and / or a substantially circular elevation. Alternatively or additionally, the other mechanical connection region may comprise at least one annular groove segment and / or a substantially circular recess.

Preferably, the cantilevered ring segment and / or the substantially circular elevation in the connected state is at least partially received in the annular groove segment and / or the substantially circular recess.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the mechanical connection regions each surround an electrical connection region, wherein the mechanical connection regions preferably surround the electrical connection region in a substantially circular manner. As a result, a secure electrical connection is ensured by the preparation of the mechanical connection. In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the mechanical connection areas are slidable into one another in at least one first rotational position and in the telescoped state by a rotational movement into a second rotational position, in which the connection areas are locked together. This allows an intuitively producible connection between the sensor unit and the patch. The angle of rotation between the first and second rotational positions can be between 20 ° and 180 °, preferably between 40 ° and 90 °. This simplifies the manufacturability of the connection with just one hand.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the one mechanical connection region has at least one guide in which at least one locking element of the other mechanical connection region is guided during a rotational movement.

The guide is preferably provided on the mechanical connection region of the connector.

The guide can be designed as a groove in an outer or inner circumference of a mechanical connection region, which preferably extends in the circumferential direction.

The guide may have a recess into which the locking element engages at the end of the rotational movement, wherein the locking element is preferably releasable against a spring force from the locked position.

For example, the recess may be configured as a depression at the end of a groove forming the guide.

Furthermore, the guide bearing mechanical connection region may have a recess extending in the direction of the axis of rotation, which allows insertion of the locking element in the guide. In a possible embodiment it is provided that the locking element is movable and preferably spring-loaded, in particular movably and preferably spring-loaded on the sensor unit. Due to the spring load, the locking element is preferably pressed in against the guide and / or held in a recess of the guide.

Preferably, at least one locking region of the locking element is movable in the radial direction to the axis of rotation.

The locking element may be a displaceably mounted pin. Preferably, the direction of movement of the pin extends in the radial direction to a rotational axis of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit.

The locking element may be a rotatable hook and / or a rocker. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the hook and / or the rocker is parallel to the axis of rotation of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit.

The guide and / or the locking element can be configured such that the torque to be expended for the rotational movement increases at least over a partial region of the guide. This provides the user with haptic feedback and the feeling of a secure mechanical connection.

This can be achieved in particular by the fact that the distance between the axis of rotation of the connection between connector and sensor unit and the bottom of a groove serving as a guide changes in the closing direction, and becomes larger when a groove is arranged on an outer circumference. For example, the groove may become flatter.

Preferably, the torque increases continuously over at least 50% of the length of the guide. In one possible embodiment it is provided that the rotation of the housing takes place about a rotation axis which runs at an angle of less than 30 ° to a normal on the contact plane of the connector with the plaster, preferably at an angle of less than 10 °, and more preferably perpendicular to the contact plane of the connector with the plaster is.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the rotation of the housing for connection between the sensor unit and the connector via a rotation angle between 20 ° and 180 °, preferably over a rotation angle between 40 ° and 90 °.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the sensor unit has at least one operating element, by the actuation of which a detent can be released with the connector.

Preferably, by pressing the operating element, the locking element can be released from the recess against a spring force.

The operating element can preferably be arranged movably on a housing of the sensor unit, in particular on a lateral or rear area of the housing.

The operating element may be a separate component to the locking element. Alternatively, the operating element and the locking element can be made in one piece.

Is spoken in the context of the present invention of a spring force, it can, for example, be provided via a separate spring element, which biases two components against each other. However, such a separate spring element or a bias voltage are not necessary. A spring force can, for example, also be achieved via an elastic embodiment of the connection between two elements, which in the context of the present invention are relative to one another be moved, for example. Via an elastic connection between the locking element and / or operating element and the housing.

According to a second independent aspect, the present invention comprises a system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and a body-attachable patch with electrodes and conductor tracks, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connected to one another via a connector arranged on the patch so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the plaster on the body. The system according to the second aspect is characterized in that the connector produces only the mechanical connection with the sensor unit and the electrical contacting takes place directly between the sensor unit and the patch.

This has the advantage that the connector requires no electrical contact. It can therefore, for example, be made entirely of plastic, for example as an injection-molded part, in particular as a one-piece injection-molded part. As a result, the connector can be manufactured considerably cheaper.

In one possible embodiment, the connector is shaped so that at least one contact surface of a conductor track of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit, and in particular can be contacted by a contact pin of the sensor unit.

Preferably, the connector has an electrical connection region, which is formed by at least one recess in the connector, through which at least one contact surface of a conductor track of the patch is accessible. Preferably, at least one contact pin of the sensor unit may extend through the recess in the connector to the plaster.

The recess may be open to one or more sides, or surrounded by the connector on all sides. Preferably, the mechanical connection between the connector and the sensor unit takes place on at least two opposite sides of the recess or recesses. As a result, a good electrical contact is ensured.

The recess or recesses may, for example, be surrounded in a ring shape by the mechanical connection region of the connector.

In a first variant, a plurality of contact surfaces can be accessible through a recess of the connector. In a second variant, at least two contact surfaces of the plaster can be accessible through separate recesses of the connector.

In one possible embodiment, a counter element is arranged on the opposite side of the connector, which supports the plaster in the region of the contact points, wherein the counter element is preferably plate-shaped. In particular, the counter element can thereby support the contact points of the plaster in terms of contacting with contact pins of the sensor element from the rear.

In one possible embodiment, the patch has a curvature, with which it extends into a recess of the connector, through which at least one contact surface of a conductor track of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit. As a result, the contact areas, in particular contact pins, of the sensor unit must extend less far into the recess.

The curvature can be generated via a survey on a side facing away on the connector side of the patch counter element which presses the plaster into the opening.

In one possible embodiment, the sensor element has an electrical connection region, which comprises spring-loaded contact pins for electrical contacting of the connector and / or patch. By the spring load the contact pins are preferably pressed out of the housing against the contact surfaces of the connector and / or plaster. As a result, a secure contacting is possible even in a flexible or compliant configuration, in particular the contact points of the patch.

Preferably, the contact pins as described above contact directly with contact surfaces of the tracks of the patch.

Preferably, the spring-loaded contact pins in the contacted state are at least partially sunk in the housing of the sensor unit.

In one possible embodiment, the spring-loaded contact pins protrude in the non-contacted state beyond a lower edge of the housing of the sensor element. This facilitates contacting directly with the plaster.

Furthermore, in a variant, the contact points can be reinforced mechanically and / or with respect to their conductivity. This can be z. B. by applying at least one additional conductive layer.

According to a third independent aspect, the present invention comprises a system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and a body-attachable patch with electrodes and interconnects, wherein the sensor unit and the patch via a connector arranged on the patch are mechanically interconnected so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the plaster on the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises a housing. A first variant of the third aspect is characterized in that the base area of the patch arranged on the patch connector is at most 70% of the base area of the housing, preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 30%. A second variant of the third aspect, which may also be present in combination with the first variant, is characterized in that the mechanical connection to the connector is effected exclusively by means of a mechanical arrangement arranged on the rear side of the housing. - Lo connecting region takes place, wherein side edges of the housing preferably extend at a distance from the mechanical connection region.

Due to the relatively small footprint of the connector this is particularly comfortable on the skin. In particular, it is possible to compress and / or fold the skin or the patch on the skin under the lateral free parts of the sensor unit that project beyond the connector.

Preferably, the housing tapers on its back facing the plaster to the connector. Preferably, the tapering region has a depth of at least 10% of the total depth of the housing, more preferably at least 20% of the total depth. Alternatively or additionally, the plaster facing the back of the housing is convex.

This allows a 1-point fixation of the sensor unit on the connector, which allows lateral oblique movements of the sensor unit. This greatly improves the comfort of wearing the system.

According to a fourth independent aspect, the present invention comprises a system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and a body-attachable patch with electrodes and interconnects, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connected to one another via a connector arranged on the patch so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the plaster on the body. The fourth aspect is characterized in that the connector is arranged on an area of the plaster designed as a folded flap. Preferably, the mechanical connection between the connector and the plaster takes place via the tab.

The arrangement of the connector on the tab has the advantage that the size and shape of the unfolded part of the patch can be chosen independently of the size and shape of the connector Furthermore, the connector may be movably mounted on the patch relative to the unfolded portion of the patch. In particular, at least one tilting movement may be possible between the connector and the unfolded part of the plaster. In this way, the sensor unit fixed to the connector, and in particular the rigidly connected unit of sensor unit and connector, can be tilted laterally when the connector is folded by folding the skin, for example during movements of the arms and / or the thorax Oblique position is brought. This improves the feeling of wearing.

Alternatively or additionally, the connector may be fixed exclusively to the tab. However, a counter element of the connector can additionally be fixed to an unfolded part of the plaster.

Furthermore, the base of the connector may be smaller than the base surface of the tab. The base of the connector can completely come to rest on the tab.

Preferably, the tab is movable relative to the unfolded portion of the patch. In a first variant, the flap is arranged freely folded on the pavement. In a second variant, the tab can also be attached to at least one point on an upper side of the plaster in a flexible and / or punctiform manner. The attachment preferably leaves a gap between the top of the unfolded portion of the patch and the tab. The attachment may be releasable in one possible embodiment. For example, the attachment may be embodied as a magnetic contact closure and / or a Velcro closure.

In one possible embodiment, a counter element arranged on a side of the tab facing away from the connector is connected to the unfolded part of the plaster. In one possible embodiment, the connector and / or the counter element comprises a web region around which the tab of the plaster is guided, in order to prevent a too small radius of curvature of the plaster. The web region can be arranged, for example, via one or more arms on the connector. In particular, the tab may be passed around the land area under the connector while the arms on either side of the tab connect the connector to the ends of the land area. The distance between the arms may increase in a preferred embodiment of the connector starting outward.

In one possible embodiment, the fold-over region, via which the tab communicates with the unfolded region of the plaster, is wider than the base surface of the connector. As a result, the weight of the sensor element is distributed over a larger area of the plaster.

Alternatively or additionally, the tab may become narrower from the foldover region over which it communicates with the unfolded region of the patch, starting at its free end.

In one possible embodiment, the tab is longer than the unfolded area of the patch with which it communicates so that a free end of the tab extends beyond an edge of the unfolded area of the patch.

Preferably, the unfolded region extends in the width direction band-shaped.

In one possible embodiment, the conductor tracks of the patch are guided from the region of the connector via the tab to the electrodes. In particular, the tracks may extend from the tab in opposite directions of an unfolded, band-shaped region of the patch.

The aspects described in more detail above can each be implemented independently of each other. However, the present invention further includes any combination of two or more of the independent aspects of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention, which relate to all aspects, are explained in more detail below.

In one possible embodiment, the connector has a maximum diameter of at most 4 cm, advantageously 3 cm and / or a substantially circular basic shape.

In one possible embodiment, the housing has a maximum diameter of at most 8 cm, advantageously 6 cm. Furthermore, the housing may have a maximum diameter of at least 2 cm, advantageously at least 3 cm.

In one possible embodiment, the connector, starting from the surface of the plaster, has a depth of not more than 10 mm, preferably of not more than 7 mm.

In one possible embodiment, the connector is glued to the plaster. In particular, the connector has a contact surface with which it is glued to the plaster. The contact surface may be, for example, substantially annular.

Alternatively or additionally, the patch can be clamped between the connector and a counter element arranged on the side of the patch opposite the connector. The connection between connector and counterpart element can, for example, take place via connecting pins passing through the plaster.

The sensor unit preferably has a communication interface for wireless communication, in particular a radio interface, for example Bluetooth and / or WLAN and / or a mobile radio data interface. This allows wireless transmission of measurement data.

The electrical biosignals which are detected by the sensor unit can in particular be an ECG. In particular, it may be a 1-channel, 2-channel, 4-channel or 12-channel ECG. For this purpose, the system is preferably attached to the thorax of a person.

In other embodiments, the system may alternatively or additionally be used to measure EEG (electroencephalography) and / or EOG (electrooculography), which system may then be attached to the head of the patient's head. In another variant, the system can be used to measure EMG (electromyography), where the system can be placed over any muscle of the patient whose activity can be measured.

The plaster preferably has a plurality of electrodes, preferably more than 2 electrodes.

The patch preferably has on its side facing the body an adhesive layer, which is preferably covered by a peelable protective liner.

The connector is preferably directly connectable to the housing of the sensor unit. In particular, the mechanical connection region of the sensor unit can be formed by the housing. The connector is preferably firmly connected to the plaster, ie a separation between plaster and connector is not provided in the context of normal handling.

The connection between the plaster and the connector can be made splash-proof and / or waterproof, in particular by a bond.

Furthermore, the connection of sensor unit, connector and patch can be made splash-proof and / or waterproof. This has the advantage that the patients and / or users can shower with it, and / or sweat does not cause artifacts.

The plaster with the connector arranged on the plaster preferably form a disposable.

The present invention further includes the sensor unit of the above-described systems according to the independent aspects of the present invention as well as the preferred embodiments described above.

Further, the present invention includes the connector of the above-described systems according to the independent aspects of the present invention as well as the preferred embodiments described above.

Furthermore, the present invention comprises in each case the plaster with the patch on the connector of the systems described above according to the independent aspects of the present invention and the preferred embodiments described above.

The present invention further comprises, both independently of and in combination with the above presentation, the following aspects: System for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and attachable to the body patch with electrodes and conductors, wherein the sensor unit and the patch via a connector arranged on the patch are mechanically interconnected so that simultaneously made an electrical connection and the sensor unit on the pavement is held on the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises a housing, characterized

the sensor unit can be detachably connected to the connector by means of a rotation of the housing relative to the connector. System according to aspect 1, wherein the connector has a mechanical connection region, which can be detachably connected by a rotary movement to a mechanical connection region of the sensor unit, wherein preferably the mechanical connection regions lock together in at least one defined rotational position and more preferably in only one single defined rotational position,

and / or wherein preferably one mechanical connecting region comprises at least one projecting annular segment and / or a substantially circular elevation and / or the other mechanical connecting region comprises at least one annular groove segment and / or a substantially circular recess, wherein preferably the projecting annular segment and / or the a substantially circular elevation in the connected state is accommodated at least partially in the annular groove segment and / or in the substantially circular recess,

and / or wherein the mechanical connection regions preferably each surround an electrical connection region, wherein the mechanical connection regions preferably surround the electrical connection region in a substantially circular manner. System according to aspect 2, wherein the mechanical connection regions can be pushed into one another in at least one first rotational position and into one another in one another. pushed state by a rotational movement into a second rotational position, in which the connecting portions are locked together, and / or wherein a mechanical connection portion has at least one guide, in which at least one locking element of the other mechanical connection portion is guided during a rotational movement, wherein the Guide is preferably provided at the mechanical connection region of the connector,

and / or wherein preferably the guide is designed as a groove in an outer or inner circumference of the mechanical connection region, which preferably extends in the circumferential direction,

and / or wherein preferably the guide has a recess into which the locking element engages at the end of the rotational movement, wherein the locking element is preferably releasable against a spring force from the locked position, wherein the recess preferably as a recess at the end of a groove forming the guide configured is

and / or wherein the guide carrying mechanical connection region has a recess extending in the direction of the axis of rotation, which allows insertion of the locking element in the guide. System according to aspect 3, wherein the locking element is movable and preferably spring-loaded, in particular movably and preferably spring-loaded on the sensor unit is arranged, wherein preferably at least one locking portion of the locking element is movable in the radial direction to the axis of rotation, and / or wherein it is preferred in the locking element is a displaceably mounted pin and / or a rotatable hook and / or a rocker, wherein the direction of movement of the pin preferably in the radial direction to a rotational axis of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit and / or the axis of rotation of the hook and / or the rocker preferably runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit. System according to one of the aspects 3 or 4, wherein the guide and / or the locking element are designed so that the expended for the rotational movement torque increases at least over a portion of the guide, in particular by sure the distance between the axis of rotation of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit and the bottom of a serving as a guide groove in the closing direction is changed, wherein the torque preferably increases over at least 50% of the length of the guide continuously. System according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the rotation of the housing takes place about a rotation axis which extends at an angle of less than 30 ° to a normal on the contact plane of the connector with the plaster, preferably at an angle less than 10 °, and more preferably perpendicular to the contact plane of the connector with the plaster is, and / or wherein the rotation of the housing for connection between the sensor unit and the connector via a rotation angle between 20 ° and 180 °, preferably over a rotation angle between 20 ° and 90 °. System according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one operating element, by the actuation of a lock can be achieved with the connector, wherein by pressing the operating element preferably the locking element against a spring force can be released from the recess, and / or wherein the Operating element is preferably arranged movably on a housing of the sensor unit, in particular on a lateral or rear region of the housing, and / or wherein it is preferably the control element is a separate component to the locking element or wherein the control element and the locking element are made in one piece. System, in particular system according to one of the preceding aspects, for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and a body-attachable patch with electrodes and conductor tracks, wherein the sensor unit unit and the plaster are mechanically connected to one another via a connector arranged on the plaster in such a way that an electrical connection is simultaneously produced and the sensor unit is held on the plaster over the body,

characterized,

that the connector produces only the mechanical connection with the sensor unit and the electrical contact takes place directly between the sensor unit and the patch. The system of aspect 8, wherein the connector is shaped so that at least one contact surface of a trace of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit, the connector preferably having an electrical connection region formed by at least one recess in the connector, through which at least one contact surface of a trace of the patch is accessible, wherein preferably a plurality of contact surfaces are accessible through a recess of the connector and / or preferably at least two contact surfaces of the patch are accessible through separate recesses of the connector through, and / or

wherein on the opposite side of the connector, a counter element is arranged, which supports the plaster in the region of the contact points, wherein the counter-element is preferably plate-shaped,

and / or wherein the plaster has a curvature, with which it extends into a recess of the connector through which at least one contact surface of a conductor of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit, wherein the curvature preferably via a survey on a on the the connector opposite side of the patch arranged counter element is generated, which presses the plaster into the opening. System according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the sensor element has an electrical connection region, which spring-loaded contact pins for electrical contacting of the connector and / or patch Preferably, which contact directly with contact surfaces of the conductor tracks of the patch, wherein the spring-loaded contact pins in the contacted state preferably at least partially recessed in the housing of the sensor unit are arranged and / or preferably wherein the spring-loaded contact pins in the non-contacted state on a lower edge of the housing protrude from the sensor element. System, in particular system according to one of the preceding aspects, for the detection of biosignals with a sensor unit and an attachable to the body patch with electrodes and conductor tracks, wherein the sensor unit and the patch via a connector arranged on the patch are mechanically interconnected so that at the same time made electrical connection and the sensor unit is held on the plaster on the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises a housing,

characterized,

that the base area of the connector arranged on the patch is at most 70% of the base area of the housing, preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 30%, and / or the mechanical connection with the connector takes place exclusively via a mechanical connection area arranged on the rear side of the housing, wherein side edges of the housing preferably extend with a distance to the mechanical connection region. The system of aspect 11, wherein the housing tapers towards the connector on its backside facing the patch, the tapering area preferably having a depth of at least 10% of the total depth of the housing, more preferably at least 20% of the total depth, and / or the plaster facing the back of the housing is convex. System, in particular system according to one of the preceding aspects, for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and one on the body attachable plaster with electrodes and conductor tracks, wherein the sensor unit and the plaster are mechanically connectable to one another via a connector arranged on the plaster in such a way that an electrical connection is simultaneously established and the sensor unit is held on the body via the plaster,

characterized,

in that the connector is arranged on a region of the plaster designed as a folded tab and is preferably movable relative to the unfolded part of the plaster.

System according to aspect 13, wherein between the connector and the unfolded part of the plaster at least one tilting movement is possible, and / or

wherein the tab is movable relative to the unfolded portion of the patch, the tab preferably being freely folded over the patch or being flexibly and / or punctiformly secured to at least one point on an upper surface of the patch, the attachment preferably being spaced apart Leaves the top of the unfolded part of the patch and flap,

and or

wherein a on a side facing away from the connector side of the tab arranged counter element is connected to the unfolded part of the plaster.

and / or wherein the connector and / or the counter-element comprises a web area, around which the tab of the plaster is guided, in order to prevent a too small radius of curvature of the plaster,

and / or wherein the Umklappbereich over which the tab communicates with the unfolded area of the patch in connection, is wider than the base of the connector and / or wherein the tab of the Umklappbereich over which it with the unfolded area of the plaster in Compound becomes narrowing towards its free end, and / or wherein the tab is longer than the unfolded area of the patch with which it communicates, such that a free end of the tab extends beyond an edge of the unfolded area of the patch, the unfolded area preferably being in the width direction strip-shaped,

and / or wherein the conductor tracks of the patch are guided from the region of the connector over the tab to the electrodes, wherein preferably conductor tracks extend from the tab in opposite directions of an unfolded, band-shaped region of the patch. System according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the connector has a maximum diameter of at most 4 cm, advantageously 3 cm and / or has a substantially circular basic shape, and / or wherein the housing has a maximum diameter of at most 8 cm, advantageously 6 cm, and / or wherein the housing has a maximum diameter of at least 2 cm, advantageously at least 3 cm, and / or wherein the connector, starting from the surface of the patch has a maximum depth of 10 mm, preferably of at most 7 mm. System according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the connector is glued to the plaster and / or wherein the plaster is clamped between the connector and a arranged on the opposite side of the connector of the patch counter-element. Sensor unit for a system according to one of the preceding aspects. Connector or patch with a connector for a system according to one of the preceding aspects. The present invention according to one or more of the aspects described above may in particular have one or more of the following advantages:

- In emergency situations, or in emergency situations, a mobile, easy-to-install solution for measuring an ECG (as a 1-channel, or 12-channel) represents a previously unattainable advantage.

- In the monitoring of patient inpatients, the solution causes patients to be mobile and no longer "cuffed" to the monitor by cable, which has the benefit of doing nursing activities such as washing or bathing, In particular, the use of the toilet often leads to collapse or unconsciousness of patients - in this case monitoring was often paused until now.

- The absence of cables leads to improved comfort, but also better signal quality (no cable movement artifacts and better electrode stability, no tearing off)

- All elements touching the body are disposable. This leads to significantly improved hygienic aspects compared to conventional ECGs, where the systems touch hundreds of patients consecutively.

- A system by which a patient can perform a self-contained measurement, and the data can be transmitted by radio, allows a decentralized measurement by the patient, who can perform the measurement independently when needed. This is e.g. for intermittent cardiac arrhythmia, or for "ehest pain", i.e., angina pectoris.

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and drawings. Showing: Showing:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention from a

Plaster with connector and a sensor unit in a perspective view, in which the sensor unit is not yet connected to the connector,

2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a connector,

3 shows three sectional views through the embodiment of a connector shown in FIG. 2,

4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a connector,

5 is a plan view of the attached in the embodiment on a tab of the patch second embodiment of a connector,

6 is a sectional view through an embodiment of the patch perpendicular to the plaster plane in an area with an electrode,

7a shows a sectional view through the exemplary embodiment of the patch perpendicular to the plaster plane with a connector glued to the patch,

7b is a sectional view through the embodiment of the patch perpendicular to the plaster plane with a fastened via a counter-element on the pavement connector

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment of an inventive

System comprising a patch with connector and a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is connected to the connector, perpendicular to the patch plane, and 9 shows a sectional view through the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, parallel to the plaster plane, at the level of the mechanical connection regions of sensor unit and connector.

The embodiment of the present invention described in Figures 1 to 9 is a mobile, wearable system for recording and preferably wireless transmission of biosignals. The embodiment realizes all the independent aspects of the present invention in combination. However, the preferred embodiment of the independent aspects of the present invention explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment is also part of the present invention alone and without the other aspects.

The embodiment of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 consists of a measuring device in the form of a wireless sensor unit 3 and a plaster 1, which is attached to the skin of the subject. The patch 1 includes electrodes 18 for deriving biosignals, and electrical traces 12 that guide the biosignals (ExG) from the electrodes 18 to the meter 3. The patch 1 is designed to be applied to the patient and disposed of after use.

The sensor unit 3 is attached via a connector 2 on the plaster 1 and held. The connector 2 is designed so that a very simple attachment of the sensor unit 3 on the plaster 1 is possible, preferably with one hand as a rotary motion. The connector 2 secures during use the mechanical long-term hold of the sensor unit 3 on the patch 1, i. the sensor unit 3 becomes portable on the body.

In addition, an electrical connection for transmitting the biosignals from the patch 1 to the sensor unit 3 is simultaneously produced by the mechanical connection between the sensor unit 3 and the plaster 1 produced by the connector 2. The contacts can on the part of the sensor unit 3 z. B. in the form of spring-mounted contact pins 35 protruding from the sensor unit 3 (so-called spring PINs), which preferably contact the lines 12 of the plaster directly.

The primary application of the system is the measurement, recording and wireless transmission of medical biosignals and data in medical diagnostics, monitoring and treatment. The data can be transmitted to mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, computers), via radio nodes to servers, or directly via a mobile and / or satellite network to databases and / or servers. The data can be evaluated by specialists or treating physicians directly on the patient, or evaluated in evaluation centers in real time, or saved for later evaluation. Other applications for the system are in the areas of sports and "wellness".

Preferred features of the exemplary embodiment, which can be implemented both individually and in combination, are explained in the following briefly briefly with reference to the three components plaster 1, connector 2, and sensor unit 3:

Plaster o The electrodes 18 and lines 12 are integrated into the plaster 1. The sticking of the patch thus always leads to the correct positioning of the electrodes 18 in an intuitive manner.

o The plaster 1 has a folded flap 10, on which the connector 2 is arranged. This allows a very narrow configuration of the areas of the plaster 1 sticking to the skin of the subject and / or increased mobility of the sensor unit 3 with respect to the plaster 1.

o Disposable Disposable Disposable Disposable Disposable Disposable Pads provide hygienic superiority over previous solutions by disposing of all patient contacting parts after use. Connector o The connector 2 enables a hand-made connection and / or is connected to the sensor unit via a rotating mechanism. o If the sensor unit 3 is attached correctly to the connector 2, haptic feedback is preferably carried out during engagement and / or successful connection ("click").

o The connector 2 only produces the mechanical connection and makes contact areas 13 of the strip conductors 12 accessible for direct contacting with the sensor unit 3, in particular through one or more recesses 24.

o The connector is simple and can be manufactured as an injection molded part. This reduces the costs for the disposables, which consist of connector and patch.

Sensor unit o housing 30 of the sensor unit 3 is designed to be easy to carry, preferably with a shape of the rear side of the housing 31 tapering towards a mechanical connection region with the connector.

o The electrical contacting takes place directly with the plaster, in particular via spring-loaded contact pins 35 projecting from the sensor unit (so-called Spring PINs).

In the following, the signals and possible applications of the system which can be detected by the exemplary embodiment of the system are described in an overview manner:

signals At least one and preferably more of the following signals may be directly recorded as raw data by the embodiment of the system. From this, further parameters can be derived and calculated: o ECG

o EEG

o EOG

o EMG

Anwendunqsmöglichkeiten

The system preferably allows at least one and preferably more of the following uses: a. 12-lead (or 16-lead) ECG, (eg) in routine examination and / or in the event of pain and / or unclear abdominal or thoracic complaints. b. Stress ECG (especially for use in a mobile environment - eg jogging, hiking, rowing, etc.). c. Long-term ECG (eg in case of cardiac arrhythmias) or long-term EEG (with an application time of days or weeks, eg with Va epilepsy). d. as a telemetry solution and / or home-care ECG, applicable by the patient himself. e. Monitoring of ECG and other vital parameters of patients in the ambulance and / or patient transport and / or clinic and / or intensive care unit. f. as acute EEG (eg unclear reduction in vigilance, exclusion of epilepsy, in resuscitation of patients for rhythm analysis). G. Permanent home monitoring for life-threatening arrhythmias and / or for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in acute cases, or "remote". H. for scientific investigations and / or biosignal measurements.

The sensor unit preferably has at least one interface for the wireless transmission of data, in particular a radio interface, in particular for near field communication such as Bluetooth (2.0, 4.0 / smart, or 5.0), WLAN and / or NFC and / or a mobile radio data interface , for example via LTE, UMTS and / or GSM. The sensor unit can furthermore have a cable-bound interface for data transmission, for example a USB interface.

In a first variant, the biosignals can be transmitted as raw data. In a second variant, the biosignals can be evaluated by the sensor unit and data are transmitted based on the evaluation.

For the transmission and / or processing of the biosignals, one or more of the following solutions may be implemented. a) transmission of biosignals from the sensor unit via a wireless interface (eg Bluetooth (2.0, 4.0 / smart, or 5.0), WLAN, NFC or LTE) to a mobile device and / or computer (direct visualization) from there via wireless interfaces (LTE, GSM, Internet) to server and / or database and / or data center (accessible from here on mobile devices and / or via the Internet). b.) transmission of biosignals from the sensor unit via a wireless interface (eg, WLAN and / or LTE and / or GSM and / or Internet and / or satellite) to server and / or database and / or data center (from here available to mobile devices and / or via internet) c. ) in the sensor unit running pattern recognition and / or analysis of the signals.

Upon detection of a suspicious pattern (e.g., arrhythmia and / or epilepsy) alarm and / or message to the patient's mobile phone and / or to the physician and / or data center d. ) from the sensor unit via a wireless interface (eg Bluetooth (2.0 or

4.0 / smart, 5.0), WLAN, NFC or LTE) (optionally via a mobile terminal and / or computer) to a clinic or practice-internal patient data management system (eg KIS, SAP, or similar) .) e. ) Recording and storing the data in the sensor unit for later

Transmission to computer (via cable and / or wireless interface (eg mobile network and / or WLAN)) and evaluation (for example as a long-term ECG)

In the following, the components and aspects of the present invention will be described again in detail with reference to the embodiment:

sensor unit

The sensor unit includes one, several and preferably all of the following components

o Battery and / or accumulator

charging circuit

o Signal processing module for the individual biosignal channels

(e.g., filter, integrated AD converter front-end, amplifier) o memory (e.g., flash, RAM)

o Micro USB socket for electr. Charging and / or transfer of data o processor (e.g., ARM Cortex)

Wireless interface (e.g., BT 2.0 and / or 4.0 and / or 5.0 and / or WLAN GSM)

o LED and / or several LEDs as status indicators

o housing As shown in the sectional view in FIG. 8, the housing 30 of the sensor unit 3 has on its rear side 31 a mechanical connection region 32 with the connector 2. The base area of the sensor unit, ie its maximum areal extension in a plane parallel to the plaster plane, is larger than the base area of the mechanical connection area 32 and / or the connector 2. The mechanical connection with the connector is exclusively with the mechanical connection area arranged on the rear side 31 32, which is surrounded on all sides by surface portions of the back 31 of the housing. The surface portions are preferably inclined forwardly of the connector. In particular, the surface sections form a convex surface without edge regions.

Due to the size ratios and / or the position of the connection and / or shape of the back results in increased comfort, since the housing allows a pivoting movement relative to the pavement. There is thus a higher degree of freedom in carrying the connector, since there is only one point of contact between the sensor unit and the patch, and a margin remains between the patch and the back of the housing laterally of the contact point. The convexity of the back of the sensor unit also edges that could be pressed onto the body are avoided.

Due to the relatively small connector and / or its arrangement on the tab, the patch has only small or no rigid areas. As a result, the patch may wrinkle and / or bend with the body surface upon movement of the subject. As a result, the wearing comfort is significantly improved.

In one possible embodiment, the housing of the sensor unit can be made splash-proof and / or watertight. The housing may consist of at least two housing halves, wherein the connecting region between the two housing halves has a seal. plaster

The structure of the patch is shown in FIG. The plaster comprises the following components:

o Carrier substrate 14 (e.g., PET film, thickness, e.g., 100 microns) o Adhesive 17 on the underside of the patch by which the patch is affixed to the skin

o electrical leads 12, preferably printed on the carrier substrate, e.g. from Ag and / or AgCl-containing or carbon-particle (carbon) -containing ink

o electrodes 18, integrated into the plaster, z. Consisting of a layer of hydrogel applied over the track, which is e.g. Ions (eg, NaCl) which transfers the biosignals from the body to the leads.

■ The open part of the line under the hydrogel can be chlorinated if necessary before application of the hydrogel

o A protective liner 15 covering the electrode sites and adhesive until needed

o Packaging in which the patch can be stored long term

(For example, a packaging unit made of plastic film, or metallized film)

Production of the plaster:

Provision of carrier material and conductor tracks

o the carrier material 14 is printed to provide the conductor tracks 12, for example, printed as a sheet or roll format by means of screen printing and / or flexographic printing For this purpose, conductive ink (eg Ag or carbon-containing) is first printed on one side of the carrier material 14 and sintered (by exposure and / or drying, or the like)

The parts of the carrier material 14 which are not electrode sites in skin contact and are not used as contact regions 13 for making electrical contact with the sensor unit are covered with a protective layer 16 (eg biocompatible polymer)

On the protective layer 16, an adhesive material 17 is applied, which fastens the patch to the skin of the patient. The adhesive material forms an adhesive layer.

If necessary, the protective layer 16 and the adhesive layer 17 can also be provided by the same material

Preparation of Electrodes: o Eventually, in the locations free of the protective material 16 and adhesive 17, which are the skin electrodes 18, the conductive ink is chlorinated, or a chloride-containing and / or chlorinated conductive ink is spread over the first one Ink printed

o A hydrogel or a chloride ion-containing liquid is applied to the optionally chlorinated electrode sites. This is done e.g. by manually placing an already finished hydrogel, or by machine-depositing a liquid hydrogel.

Production of the contact areas: o At the points which are to form the contact areas 13 of the conductor tracks 12, the conductor tracks are made flat. Furthermore, there is no protective material 16 or adhesive 17 in the region of the contact regions 13. In this case, a single recess in the protective material 16 and adhesive 17 may be present for each contact region 13, or a common recess for all contact regions 13. o The contact regions 13 can be reinforced mechanically and / or in terms of their conductivity in a variant. This can be z. B. by applying an additional conductive layer, for example. Made of a conductive plastic, and / or by the use of multiple layers of conductive ink, z. By overprinting the contact areas with one or more further layers of the ink.

Protective liner: On the patient-side surface, which now includes adhesive material 17 and electrodes 18, a protective liner 15 is applied, which protects against aging, dehydration and physical damage and is removed before use (comparable to a conventional wound -Plaster)

Surface: o If necessary, an additional layer of a soft and / or surface-structuring material is applied to the non-patient-side surface of the carrier material 14 (for example, textile or textile-like). Alternatively, this surface may already be arranged on the initial carrier material.

Attaching the connector to the plaster:

The attachment of the connector to the patch is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7a / b and 8 o A part of the patch consists of a tab 10, ie a bulge, or a lateral outgrowth, on which all traces 12 in a bestimm - th configuration in contact areas 13, in particular contact surfaces end. By folding over the flap 10, the free ends of the strip conductors 12 come to rest freely on the side of the plaster which is actually on the patient side, but which now folds away due to folding over. At this point of the patch, the connector 12 is attached to the patient-side, but now by folding the patient away from the side. This is in particular a plastic part. The connector has one or more recesses 24, through which the contact regions 13 of the conductor tracks 12 are accessible.

The bending radius of the patch is limited by the flexibility of the printed ink 12. This should generally not fall below a minimum bending radius of, for example, 2 mm. Therefore, the folding point 11 of the connector tab 10, in which a 180 ° folding is completed, passed over a web portion 21, which is configured in the embodiment as part of the connector. The web portion 21 may, for. B. have the shape of a round, horizontal cylinder of 3-4 mm in diameter, and prevents excessive folding of the tab 10 before. The web portion 21 may be connected via connecting arms 22 with the rest of the connector. The tab 10 is guided around the web portion 21 under the connector, see Fig. 8. The connecting arms 22 preferably extend from the connector starting obliquely away from each other to the standing area 21, see Fig. 2, 4 and 5. The web portion could in the same Way are also arranged on a counter-element 26 of the connector 2.

The lines 12 in the patch serve to direct the biosignals from the electrodes 18 on the skin through the patch to the connector 2, where they are transmitted via the contact areas 13 directly to the sensor unit.

The tab 10 becomes wider from its free end to the fold area 11. As a result, the weight of the sensor unit is distributed over a wider area of the plaster.

The tab 10 has, from its free end to the folding area 11, a greater length than the area of the plaster to which it is attached. is ordered, and thereby looks beyond this with its free end. In this way, the patch in the area in which it is adhered to the patient, be designed as a narrow band.

o By attaching the connector to the tab, the connector is movable relative to the areas of the patch adhered to the skin.

o The tab can either be folded freely, or as shown in Fig. 8 on its back with the surface of the patch in conjunction. This is preferably done via a punctiform attachment region 50, which has a certain height. This leaves a mobility between plaster and flap and thus between plaster and connector. The attachment may be releasable in one possible embodiment, and provided in particular via a magnetic connection.

connector

The connection between sensor and patch is secured by the connector, of which a first embodiment in Fig. 2, a second embodiment in Fig. 4 is shown.

The connector in both embodiments is a mechanical connector, e.g. made of a biocompatible polymer, which is attached to the side of the patch that is actually on the patient side, but now away from the patient by folding the flap. For example, the connector measures approx. 2-5 cm in diameter and 3-5mm in height.

The connector 2 is glued to the plaster, see Fig. 7a, and / or held by a counter element 26 on the actually remote patient, by folding only patient-side plaster side, see Fig. 7b. For connection between connector 2 and counter element 26 webs 27 are provided, which pass through the pavement, or outside the edge of the patch, and, for example, on the other element snap and / or form by a snap-fastening. In the counter-element 26 may be a plate, which z. B. has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 2mm, in particular a thickness of 1 mm. The counter element can be made of a biocompatible plastic or a cardboard. The connector is in both cases with the underside of its bottom plate 25 on the actually remote patient, by folding only on the patient-side plaster side.

Connector 2 establishes the mechanical connection between sensor unit 3 and patch 1, i. it fixes the sensor unit 3 on the pavement 1. The mechanical connection of the sensor unit 3 with the patch 1 by the connector 2 defines the position of the sensor unit on the pavement, and thus the position of the contacts, in particular the contact pins 35 of the sensor unit 3 to the contact areas 13th the printed conductors 12 on the folded flap 10, see Fig. 4. This ensures that the contact pins 35 of the sensor unit are correctly positioned and contacted.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 8, the contacting of the contact regions 13 of the lines 12 of the plaster takes place directly through the contact pins 35 of the sensor unit. For this purpose, the connector in the region of the contact regions 13 has one or more recesses 24, through which the contact pins 35 pass and contact the contact regions 13 on the plaster.

In this case, a separate recess 24 may be provided in the connector for each contact area 13, as shown in the first embodiment in Fig. 2. In a preferred embodiment, however, the connector has only one common recess 24 for all contact regions 13, for example in the form of an opening in a bottom plate 25 of the connector, with which the connector rests on the plaster. This embodiment is shown in Fig. 4 in the second embodiment. In this case, the connector preferably has the form of a ring which surrounds the electrical contact regions 13 of the plaster. Otherwise, the two embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 4 are identical. In order to simplify the contacting of the contact regions 13 of the patch by the contact pins 35 of the sensor unit, the connector may have a counter element 26, as shown in FIG. 7b. The plaster can be supported on the counter element at least in the region of the contact regions 13 of the plaster, so that the pressure force of the contact pins 35 on the plaster is increased and buckling of the plaster in this area is avoided. In a first variant, the counter element can be designed in the form of a plate with a flat surface in the region of the contact regions 13 of the plaster. In a second variant, the counter element in the region of the contact regions 13 of the plaster may have a projection on its surface, through which the contact regions are pressed into the recess 24 in the direction of the sensor unit. As a result, the contact pins of the sensor unit must protrude less far out of the housing 30 of the sensor unit in order to contact the contact areas 13.

For the user, the connector 2 is used for easy and intuitive attachment of the sensor unit 3 on the plaster 1. For attaching the sensor unit to the connector, the use of a hand is sufficient. The design of the connector allows attachment via haptic-intuitive elements, so that the attachment can be made even without direct visual contact.

The connector is designed in the exemplary embodiment so that the attachment of the sensor unit 3 by a rotary movement, for. B. clockwise, is completed. This rotational movement may include a rotation angle of 20-180 °. First, the sensor unit 3 is positioned in a defined, preferably marked first rotational position. The markings can be either optically, z. Dashes, or mechanically, e.g. by surface structures and / or curves, and allow the user to clearly position the sensor unit in the first position on the connector.

The construction of the connector is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The connector has a bottom plate 25, with which it is arranged on the surface of the plaster. On the bottom plate is a cantilever annular portion 20th provided, which forms the mechanical connection region for connection to the sensor unit 3. On the outer circumference of the annular region 20, a circumferentially extending guide 26 is provided in the form of a groove. At the end of the guide 26, a recess 27 is provided as a locking device. Furthermore, extending in the axial direction recesses 28 are provided, which lead to the beginning of the circumferentially extending guide.

On the bottom plate 25 arms 22 are further provided, on which the web portion 21 is arranged.

The mechanical connection with the sensor unit can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. On the underside of the sensor unit are two radially inwardly facing spring-mounted locking elements 33, in the embodiment in the form of horizontally arranged pins, which are first introduced in the first position in the axial direction in the space provided for recesses 28 of the connector 2. The locking elements 33 are located at the beginning of a guide 26 which is provided on the outer circumference of the connector 2. After insertion into the guide 26 in position 1, the locking elements are guided by the rotational movement to a second rotational position around the connector. At the end of the rotation, upon reaching the second rotational position, the locking elements 33 lock by engagement in recesses 27, in particular troughs and / or depressions and / or Durchbrühe on the outside of the connector in the second rotational position. By engaging the locking elements 33 in these recesses 27 there is a haptic feedback to the user. In the second rotational position, the electrical contacts come to lie in the correct position to each other, so that the electrical connection is provided.

Optionally, the guide 26 for the locking elements 33 in the connector can be designed so that it makes the rotational movement in the course gradually heavier for the user. This creates the sensation of winding a spring, which is an improvement for the haptic experience of the user. This is made possible mechanically by adjusting the distance of the bottom of the guide 26, on which slide the locking elements 33, the axis of rotation is gradually increased. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided for this purpose that the annular region 20 of the connector, in which the guide 26 is provided, gradually becomes thicker. As a result, the springs 36 of the locking elements 33 are gradually tensioned during the movement from the first rotational position to the second rotational position until they are relieved at the second rotational position when engaging in the recesses 27.

In one possible embodiment, the connection between sensor unit and connector is designed to be splash-proof and / or watertight. This has the advantage that the patients / users can shower with it, and sweat would not cause artifacts.

The housing may have a sealing element which cooperates with a sealing surface of the connector. In this case, the sealing element is preferably pressed onto the sealing surface in the connected state. This can be achieved, for example, by a profile of the guide 26, which has an axial offset over the extent in the circumferential direction, so that in the second rotational position the locking elements 33 exert a force in the axial direction on the connector. As a sealing surface, for example, the bottom plate 25 serve, which cooperates with a arranged on a housing edge sealing element, for example. A sealing ring.

The connector can be glued to the surface of the patch, wherein the sealing surface of the connector completely surrounds the electrical connection region, so that the electrical connection region between sensor unit and patch is completely sealed to the outside.

The detachment of the sensor unit 3 from the connector 2 after use via located on the back of the sensor unit controls 37, for example in the form of sliding and / or toggle switches. These are in contact with the locking elements 33 and, when actuated, can raise and / or tension the springs of the locking elements 33, as a result of which the locking elements 33 are retracted again. Only when both locking elements 33 again at the same time more than 50% their trajectory, they can be removed from the recesses 27, and the sensor unit can be detached from the second rotational position in the axial direction and separated from the connector.

The locking elements 33 of the sensor unit can be embedded in the side walls of a depression 32 in the housing of the sensor unit on the underside of the sensor unit 3. The recess 32 may correspond to the diameter and the height of the annular region 20 of the connector 2. In the connected state, at least the annular region 20 of the connector 2 is located in the recess 32 of the housing. In a possible embodiment, the bottom plate 25 may be arranged sunk in the then correspondingly provided with a step recess 32.

The contact pins 35 are preferably recessed in the housing, in a region 34 which is surrounded by the annular recess 32 and raised with respect to this. Upon completion of the rotational movement and reaching the second rotational position of the area 34 comes to lie with the contact pins of the sensor unit in the connector at the height of the patch, whereby the contact pins 35 contact the contact areas 13 of the tracks 12 of the patch.

Regardless of the exact design of the area 34 with the contact pins 35, the contact pins 35 extend in a first variant over the lower edge of the housing 30 so as to contact directly with the plaster. In this case, the patch can be arranged flat in the regions of the contact regions 13 on the underside of the connector, since the contact pins 35 extend completely through the recess or recesses 24 of the connector.

In a second variant, however, an area of the plaster with the contact areas 13 is arched into the recess or recesses 24 of the connector, for example by providing a protrusion on the surface of the counter element, through which the contact areas into the recess 24 in the direction pressed on the sensor unit. Preference is given in this case only a Ausspa- tion 24 for all contact areas 13 provided to comply with the allowable bending radius of the patch. As a result of the patch reaching into the connector, the contact pins of the sensor unit must protrude less far out of the housing 30 of the sensor unit in order to contact the contact areas 13. In particular, the contact pins 35 in the second variant can not protrude beyond the lower edge of the housing 30, as they contact the contact areas 13 in a plane above the lower edge of the sensor unit.

Another possible design variant of the connector is a bayonet closure, which, comparable to the closure of a mirror reflex lens, by screwing in from a first rotational position to a second rotational position.

In addition, the sensor unit may include a magnetic component that attracts a magnetic and / or metallic component in the connector, thereby further simplifying the mounting of the sensor unit. This can be z. B. by a lying in the connector ring magnetically reacting metal alloy.

Claims

claims

1. A system for detecting biosignals with a sensor unit and attachable to the body patch with electrodes and conductors, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connected to one another via a connector arranged on the patch so that simultaneously produces an electrical connection and the sensor unit via the patch is held on the body, the sensor unit having a housing, characterized

the sensor unit can be detachably connected to the connector by means of a rotation of the housing relative to the connector.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a mechanical connection region, which is detachably connectable by a rotational movement with a mechanical connection region of the sensor unit, wherein preferably lock the mechanical connection areas in at least one defined rotational position and more preferably in only a single defined rotational position to each other,

and / or wherein the mechanical connection regions preferably each surround an electrical connection region, wherein the mechanical connection regions preferably surround the electrical connection region in a substantially circular manner.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical connecting portions are movable into each other in at least a first rotational position and in nested state by a rotational movement in a second rotational position in which the connecting portions are locked together, and / or wherein the one mechanical connecting portion at least a guide, in which at least one locking element of the other mechanical connection region is guided during a rotational movement, wherein the guide is preferably provided on the mechanical connection region of the connector,

and / or wherein preferably the guide has a recess into which the locking element engages at the end of the rotational movement, the locking element preferably releasing against a spring force from the locked position. bar, wherein the recess is preferably configured as a depression at the end of a groove forming the guide,

and / or wherein the guide carrying mechanical connection region has a recess extending in the direction of the axis of rotation, which allows insertion of the locking element in the guide.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein the locking element is movable and preferably spring loaded, in particular movable and preferably spring loaded on the sensor unit is arranged, wherein preferably at least one locking portion of the locking element in the radial direction to the axis of rotation is movable, and / or wherein it Locking preferably a slidably mounted pin and / or a rotatable hook and / or a rocker, wherein the direction of movement of the pin preferably in the radial direction to a rotational axis of the connection between the connector and sensor unit runs and / or the axis of rotation of the hook and / or the rocker preferably extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the connection between the connector and the sensor unit.

5. System according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the guide and / or the locking element are configured so that the expended for the rotational movement torque increases at least over a portion of the guide, in particular by sure the distance between the axis of rotation of the connection between connector and sensor unit and the bottom of a serving as a guide groove in the closing direction is changed, wherein the torque preferably increases over at least 50% of the length of the guide continuously.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation of the housing takes place about an axis of rotation which extends at an angle of less than 30 ° to a normal on the contact plane of the connector with the plaster, preferably at an angle of less than 10 °, and more preferably is perpendicular to the contact plane of the connector with the patch, and / or where the rotation of the housing for connection between the sensor unit and the connector via a rotation angle between 20 ° and 180 °, preferably over a rotation angle between 40 ° and 90 °.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one operating element, by the actuation of a lock can be achieved with the connector, wherein by pressing the operating element preferably the locking element against a spring force can be released from the recess, and / or wherein the operating element is preferably arranged movably on a housing of the sensor unit, in particular on a lateral or rear region of the housing, and / or wherein the control element is preferably a separate component to the locking element or wherein the operating element and the locking element are made in one piece are.

8. System, in particular system according to one of the preceding claims, for the detection of biosignals with a sensor unit and an attachable to the body patch with electrodes and interconnects, wherein the sensor unit and the patch are mechanically connected to each other via a connector arranged on the patch, that at the same time an electrical connection is made and the sensor unit is held on the plaster over the body,

characterized,

that the connector produces only the mechanical connection with the sensor unit and the electrical contact takes place directly between the sensor unit and the patch.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the connector is shaped such that at least one contact surface of a trace of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit, the connector preferably having an electrical connection region formed by at least one recess in the connector which pass through at least one contact surface surface of a patch of the patch is accessible, wherein preferably a plurality of contact surfaces are accessible through a recess of the connector and / or preferably at least two contact surfaces of the patch are accessible through separate recesses of the connector, and / or

and / or wherein the plaster has a curvature, with which it extends into a recess of the connector through which at least one contact surface of a conductor of the patch is accessible from the sensor unit, wherein the curvature preferably via a survey on a on the the connector opposite side of the patch arranged counter element is generated, which presses the plaster into the opening.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor element has an electrical connection region which comprises spring-loaded contact pins for electrical contacting of the connector and / or patch, which preferably contact directly with contact surfaces of the tracks of the patch, the spring-loaded contact pins preferably in the contacted state at least partially recessed in the housing of the sensor unit are arranged and / or wherein preferably the spring-loaded contact pins in the non-contacted state protrude beyond a lower edge of the housing of the sensor element.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the patch arranged on the connector is a maximum of 70% of the base area of the housing, preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 30% and / or wherein the mechanical connection to the connector exclusively via a on the rear side of the housing arranged mechanical connection region, wherein side edges of the housing preferably extend with a distance to the mechanical connection region, wherein the housing preferably tapers towards the connector on its rear side facing the plaster, wherein the tapering area further preferably has a depth of at least 10% of the total depth of the housing, more preferably at least 20% of the total depth and / or preferably the plaster facing rear of the housing is convex.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is disposed on a portion of the patch formed as a folded tab,

wherein the connector is preferably movable relative to the unfolded part of the patch, wherein at least one tilting movement between the connector and the unfolded part of the patch is preferably possible,

and or

preferably wherein the tab is movable relative to the unfolded portion of the patch, the tab preferably being freely folded over the patch or attached to at least one point on an upper surface of the patch in a flexible and / or punctiform manner, preferably with a distance between the top of the unfolded part of the patch and the flap,

and or

wherein preferably arranged on a side facing away from the connector of the tab counter element is connected to the unfolded part of the plaster.

and / or wherein preferably the connector and / or the counter element comprises a web region around which the tab of the plaster is guided, in order to prevent a too small bending radius of the plaster,

and / or wherein preferably the fold-over region over which the flap communicates with the unfolded region of the plaster is wider than the base of the connector and / or the flap is of the fold-over region with which it is connected to the unfolded region of the connector Pavement, starting to narrow towards its free end,

and / or wherein preferably the tab is longer than the unfolded portion of the patch with which it communicates, such that a free end of the tab extends beyond an edge of the unfolded portion of the patch, the unfolded portion preferably being in Width direction extends band-shaped,

and / or wherein preferably the conductor tracks of the patch are guided from the region of the connector via the tab to the electrodes, wherein preferably conductor tracks run from the tab in opposite directions of an unfolded, band-shaped region of the plaster.

13. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is glued to the plaster and / or wherein the plaster is clamped between the connector and a disposed on the opposite side of the connector of the patch counter-element.

14. Sensor unit for a system according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Connector or patch with a connector for a system according to any one of the preceding claims.