JP7393003B2 - Myoelectric device, myoelectric measurement method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a myoelectric device for measuring myoelectric potential.

Myoelectric potential is the final output of motor control, and clearly shows various changes in the brain and nervous system. By capturing these changes through myoelectric analysis, it is possible to quantify the level of proficiency in movement and the degree of recovery from motor paralysis. Such methods can be applied to daily life and clinical settings, such as efficient rehabilitation using real-time feedback and fall risk measurement for the elderly, and can be developed into more useful systems.

When applying this technology to daily life and clinical settings, there is the problem of operability. For example, in order to perform high-quality electromyography measurements, it is necessary to identify the muscle and place the electrodes correctly. However, installation takes time. Furthermore, since it requires knowledge of the muscle positions necessary for measurement, it is difficult to install it at a rehabilitation site or by the patient himself/herself.

The following proposals have been made as conventional myoelectric devices. Patent Documents 1 and 2 are cylindrical devices that can be worn by a subject, and include a fixing part that fixes the device to the subject, a measurement part that measures biopotential, and a measurement part that measures when the fixing part is fixed at a predetermined position. A biopotential measuring device is disclosed that includes a position adjusting section formed between a fixing section and a measuring section and having a size that allows the section to be placed at a desired measurement position. However, even with such a device, it is necessary to fix the fixing part in a predetermined position, and accurate measurement cannot be performed unless it is fixed in the correct position.

In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a ring-shaped attachment band and a device arranged on the attachment band for the purpose of correctly detecting myoelectric signals over a wide range of body limbs regardless of deformation of the body limb due to body movement or attachment/detachment operations. A connection cable that connects a plurality of myoelectric detection units arranged in the same direction and adjacent myoelectric detection units, the connection cable having a bent portion whose bent shape changes in response to a change in the distance between the adjacent myoelectric detection units. Disclosed is a myoelectric sensor comprising: However, this device is large-scale and is not suitable for easy daily measurements.

JP2016-83186A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-83187 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-131689

In view of the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a myoelectric device that can be easily used even by those without specialized knowledge and is suitable for use in clinical settings and daily life. With the goal.

A first aspect of the present invention is a myoelectric device comprising a stretchable base material, a plurality of electrodes, and a stretchable circuit board,
The plurality of electrodes are exposed on the first surface of the base material,
The stretchable circuit board is provided on the second surface of the base material,
The plurality of electrodes are electrically connected to the stretchable circuit board through an opening provided in the base material,
The stretchable circuit board is characterized in that it outputs a myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between the plurality of electrodes.

By making not only the base material but also the circuit board stretchable in this manner, the myoelectric device according to this embodiment can freely expand and contract according to the movement of the body. Additionally, the thickness of the device itself has been reduced, so it does not get in the way when worn. By making the base material cylindrical, or by fastening the ends of the member with a fastening part such as a fastener or button, it can be attached to the body, hands, legs, etc. for use. Note that the stretchable base material in this embodiment may be, for example, cloth (including woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics), rubber sheets, or paper (made of vegetable fibers and/or synthetic resin fibers (eg, polypropylene fibers)).

Further, in this aspect, it is preferable that the stretchable circuit board includes an organic transistor element, and the myoelectric signal is amplified by the organic transistor element. By immediately amplifying the myoelectric signal output by the detection circuit in this way, the influence of motion noise can be minimized. In addition, by immediately amplifying the myoelectric signal output by the detection circuit in this way, the myoelectric device according to this embodiment can pick up even weak myoelectric signals, so that it can detect weak myoelectric signals from superficial muscles (superficial muscles) It is possible to measure not only surface myoelectric signals, but also deep myoelectric signals from middle and deep muscles.

Moreover, in this aspect, it is also preferable that the stretchable circuit board further includes an amplifier circuit and an A/D conversion circuit. The amplifier circuit amplifies the myoelectric signal output from the organic transistor element, and the A/D conversion circuit converts the amplified myoelectric signal into a digital signal. By converting the amplified myoelectric signal into a digital signal in this way, it becomes more robust against noise.

Moreover, in this aspect, it is also preferable that the stretchable circuit board further includes an organic thin film photovoltaic device. By using an organic thin-film electromotive device as a power source, batteries are not required.

In this embodiment, a plurality of electrodes are provided. The stretchable circuit board outputs myoelectric signals based on the potential difference between the plurality of electrodes. Here, "between a plurality of electrodes" may be between any combination of a plurality of electrodes, or a portion thereof (for example, between adjacent electrodes). Although the number of electrodes is not particularly limited, the larger the number, the higher the density of the electrodes, and the electrodes can be worn without worrying about displacement of the electrodes from the muscle to be measured. Furthermore, high-density myoelectric information makes it possible to extract more information.

In this aspect, the plurality of electrodes may be arranged in a row on the stretchable circuit board. The stretchable circuit board may output a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes, or a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between all combinations of the plurality of electrodes. An electric signal may also be output. Middle and deep muscles run in different directions than superficial muscles. In the myoelectric device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by extracting independent components from the signals acquired between the electrodes, it is possible to obtain myoelectric signals (activity signals) not only of superficial muscles but also of middle and deep muscles. I can do it. Extraction of independent components may be performed, for example, by a technique such as independent component analysis.

In this aspect, the stretchable circuit board preferably includes a board made of a stretchable elastomer and a stretchable conductor, and can expand or contract by 15% or more in any direction. Having this degree of elasticity allows it to be worn on the body as clothing, for example.

In this aspect, it is also preferable that a stretchable waterproof layer (liquid repellent layer) is provided on the surface of the stretchable circuit board. Having a waterproof layer makes it possible to wash with water. Moreover, since the waterproof layer also has elasticity, the elasticity of the entire device is not impaired.

The present invention can also be regarded as a myoelectric measurement method using the above-described myoelectric device. Further, the present invention can also be understood as a computer program for causing a computer to execute these methods. Furthermore, the present invention can also be understood as a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the computer program.

The electromyography measurement method according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
A myoelectric device performed by a myoelectric device including a stretchable base material, a plurality of electrodes exposed on a first surface of the base material, and a stretchable circuit board provided on a second surface of the base material. A measuring method,
The stretchable circuit board is characterized in that it includes a step of outputting a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between the plurality of electrodes.

The myoelectric measurement method according to this aspect may further include a step of amplifying the myoelectric signal using an organic transistor element.

The myoelectric measurement method according to this aspect further includes the step of further amplifying the myoelectric signal output from the organic transistor element using an amplifier circuit, and converting the amplified myoelectric signal into a digital signal using an A/D conversion circuit. May include.

In the electromyography measurement method according to this aspect,
The plurality of electrodes are arranged in rows on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting the myoelectric signal, the myoelectric signal may be output based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes.

In the electromyography measurement method according to this aspect,
The plurality of electrodes are arranged in rows on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting the myoelectric signal, the myoelectric signal may be output based on a potential difference between any combination of the plurality of electrodes.

In the electromyography measurement method according to this aspect,
The plurality of electrodes are arranged in rows on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting the myoelectric signal, independent components are extracted from the signal acquired between the electrodes, thereby generating a superficial muscle activity signal (myoelectric signal) and an intermediate or deep muscle activity signal (myoelectric signal). ) may be obtained.

In the electromyography measurement method according to this aspect,
The plurality of electrodes are arranged in rows on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting a myoelectric signal, a surface myoelectric signal is obtained by outputting a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes, and a surface myoelectric signal is obtained based on a potential difference between a different combination of electrodes. A deep myoelectric signal may be obtained by outputting a myoelectric signal based on the myoelectric signal.

In the electromyography measurement method according to this aspect,
The plurality of electrodes are arranged in rows on the stretchable circuit board,
When the myoelectric signal is further amplified and outputted by an amplification circuit,
an amplification factor of myoelectric signals based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes;
The amplification factor of the myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between different electrode combinations may be different.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute at least some steps of the electromyography measurement method described above.

A computer-readable storage medium according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the above-described computer program.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a myoelectric device that can be easily used even by a person without specialized knowledge and is suitable for use in clinical settings and daily life.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a myoelectric device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a myoelectric device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a stretchable circuit board according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stretchable circuit board according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stretchable circuit board according to an embodiment.

(First embodiment)
The myoelectric device (electromyograph; electromyogram measuring device) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a large number of electrodes, and acquires myoelectric signals based on the potential difference between the electrodes at high density, thereby improving the arrangement of the electrodes. To obtain a desired myoelectric signal even if the signal is inappropriate. In addition, the effect of noise is minimized by providing a circuit for amplifying and digitally converting myoelectric signals in the orthosis itself. Furthermore, by constructing this circuit with a stretchable thin film substrate, it eliminates the hassle of wearing the orthosis and makes it possible to use it regularly. Additionally, by making the circuit board waterproof, it can be washed with water.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a myoelectric device 1 for measuring myoelectric potentials of biceps, triceps, brachialis, etc. by wrapping it around the upper arm will be described, but the measurement target area is not limited to the upper arm, and can be applied to any part of the human body. It doesn't matter if it's a part.

1A, 1B, and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of a myoelectric device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1A shows the configuration of the myoelectric device 1 on the side (inside) that is in contact with the subject's muscles (first surface), and FIG. 1B shows the configuration of the myoelectric device 1 on the side (outside) opposite to FIG. 1A (second surface). The configuration of a myoelectric device 1 is shown. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the myoelectric device 1 is used.

As shown in the figure, the myoelectric device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a cloth base material 2, a plurality of electrodes 3 arranged on the inner surface, and a plurality of stretchable circuit boards 6 arranged on the outer surface. can be established.

The cloth base material 2 is made of highly stretchable cloth or fabric such as flat rubber or tuck knitted fabric. When wrapped around the measurement site, the cloth base material 2 tightens the subject with such force that the position of the electrode 3 does not shift, thereby fixing the position of the electrode 3. Fasteners 4a and 4b are provided at the edges of the cloth base material 2 in order to wrap it around the upper arm and fix it. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the fabric base material 2 is used by being wrapped around the upper arm, so the side corresponding to the circumferential direction when made into a cylinder (the side on which the fasteners 4a and 4b are not provided) is 180 mm, The side corresponding to the axial direction (the side on which the fasteners 4a and 4b are provided) has a size of about 100 mm. In this embodiment, the cloth base material 2 extends from 180 mm to 200 mm or 230 mm in the circumferential direction.

The fasteners 4a and 4b are used to wrap the myoelectric device 1 around the upper arm and fix it in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, a fastener (wire fastener) is used, but it may be fixed using a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, or the like, or the cloth base material 2 may be formed into a cylindrical shape.

The electrode 3 is provided on the inner surface of the cloth base material 2 so that its surface is exposed. The electrodes 3 are arranged in five rows per row, and a total of 20 electrodes are arranged in five rows. As will be described later, the myoelectric device 1 according to the present embodiment outputs the potential difference between adjacent electrodes in each column as a myoelectric signal, so outputs of 4 channels per column and 20 channels in total can be obtained. The electrode 3 may be made of metal, conductive fibers woven into the cloth base material 2, or conductive ink coated (printed) on the cloth base material 2.

The electrode 3 and the stretchable circuit board 6 are electrically connected through the opening 5 provided in the cloth base material 2 by a communication line.

The stretchable circuit board 6 is provided on the outer surface of the cloth base material. In this embodiment, one stretchable circuit board 6 is provided corresponding to one row of electrodes 3. The stretchable circuit board 6 detects a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between electrodes, amplifies and converts it into a digital signal, serializes the amplified digital myoelectric signal, and outputs it to the outside. The stretchable circuit board 6 has stretchability and waterproofness. The plurality of stretchable circuit boards 6 are connected in series in terms of electric circuits, and the myoelectric signals detected by each stretchable circuit board 6 are serialized and output to the communication circuit board 7. The communication circuit board 7 outputs myoelectric signals to an external computer by wired or wireless communication, for example. Similarly to the stretchable circuit board 6, the communication circuit board 7 also has stretchability and waterproofness.

FIG. 3 shows the circuit configuration of the stretchable circuit board 6. The stretchable circuit board 6 includes an organic transistor element 61 that amplifies a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among a plurality of electrodes arranged in a row, and converts the amplified myoelectric signal into a digital signal. It includes an A/D conversion circuit 62 and an output circuit 63 that outputs each digitized myoelectric signal to the outside. The stretchable circuit board 6 may include an amplification circuit between the organic transistor element 61 and the A/D conversion circuit 62 to further amplify the myoelectric signal amplified by the organic transistor element 61. The stretchable circuit board 6 also includes an organic thin film solar cell (organic thin film photovoltaic device) 64 and supplies power to the organic transistor element 61, the A/D conversion circuit 62, and the output circuit 63. The stretchable circuit board 6 may include a microcomputer, and the microcomputer may perform at least part of the signal processing described herein by executing a program.

Each circuit of the stretchable circuit board 6 is configured as a flexible sheet device that is waterproof (liquid repellent). The configuration of the circuit will be explained with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the circuit is formed by laminating a waterproof layer 35, a substrate 10, an electronic device layer 20, a waterproof layer 30, and a gas barrier layer 40 in this order.

The substrate 10 is made of a stretchable elastomer, such as polyimide. Polyimide layers have relatively excellent heat resistance and flexibility, so they can be suitably used in thin film electronic devices. Furthermore, since the polyimide layer has relatively excellent gas barrier properties, it can be suitably used as a gas barrier layer. For example, transparent polyimides such as VICT-Bnp and VICT-C manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. have relatively excellent light transmittance (light transmittance), so they are used in solar cells that require high light transmittance. It can be used suitably.

The electronic device layer 20 has different configurations depending on the transistor (organic transistor element) 61, A/D conversion circuit 62, output circuit 63, and solar cell (organic thin film solar cell) 64. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a solar cell. In this case, the electronic device layer includes an active layer (a photoelectric conversion layer that performs photoelectric conversion) 23, and an upper electrode (first electrode) 25 and a lower electrode (second electrode) 21 that sandwich the active layer 23 in the vertical direction. layers were used. A layer having an active layer (a photoelectric conversion layer that performs photoelectric conversion) 23, and an upper electrode (first electrode) 25 and a lower electrode (second electrode) 21 that sandwich the active layer 23 in the vertical direction was used. Specifically, the inventors used an electronic device layer 20 in which a lower electrode 21, an electron transport layer 22, an active layer 23, a hole transport layer 24, and an upper electrode 25 were laminated in that order. The inventors used a 30 nm thick layer of zinc oxide (ZnO) as the electron transport layer 22, a 10 nm thick layer of PEDOT:PSS as the hole transport layer 24, and indium tin oxide (ITO). ) with a thickness of 90 nm (transparent electrode) was used as the lower electrode 21, and a layer with a thickness of 100 nm made of silver (Ag) was used as the upper electrode 25. The inventors used as the active layer 23 a 130 nm thick layer made of a polymeric organic material such as PNTz4T, PTzNTz, PTB7-Th.

Further, the electronic device layer 20 may be a semiconductor device layer other than a solar cell, such as an organic electrochemical transistor, an organic field effect transistor, an integrated circuit, sensors and their detection circuits, a power generation device, a lighting device, and a display device. , a power storage device, etc. The semiconductor layer may be formed using a semiconductor material such as an organic material, an oxide material, or amorphous silicon. Organic semiconductor materials are preferred due to their flexibility and coatability, but compound semiconductor materials such as CIGS and CIS, or perovskite compound materials may also be used.

A waterproof layer 30 having relatively excellent liquid repellency (water repellency) is coated on the surface of the electronic device layer 20. Similarly, a waterproof layer 35 is applied to the underside of the substrate 10. Note that the waterproof layer 35 may be provided between the substrate 10 and the electronic device layer 20.

For the waterproof layers 30 and 35, it is possible to use a fluororesin layer made of a fluororesin such as a fully fluorinated resin, a partially fluorinated resin, or a fluorinated resin copolymer, which has relatively excellent heat resistance and flexibility. suitable. Furthermore, since the fluororesin layer has relatively excellent liquid repellency, it can be suitably used as a waterproof layer. Since amorphous fluororesin has relatively excellent light transmittance, it can be suitably used in solar cells and the like that require high light transmittance. In one embodiment, a 360 nm thick layer made of Teflon (registered trademark) AF1600 (amorphous fluororesin) manufactured by DuPont Mitsui Fluorochemical Co., Ltd. is used as the waterproof layer 30.

It is preferable to perform heat treatment or drying treatment upon providing the waterproof layers 30, 35. For example, use a hot plate to heat at a temperature of 100° C. for 30 minutes. Thereby, the waterproof layer 30 is dried and fixed to the electronic device layer 20. In addition, since the waterproof layer 30 is fixed by natural reaction even without heating, the heat treatment may be omitted.

Finally, a gas barrier layer 40 having relatively excellent gas barrier properties is formed on the surface of the waterproof layer 30. Paraxylene polymer layers made of paraxylene polymers (aromatic hydrocarbon resins) such as parylene manufactured by KISCO Corporation have relatively excellent heat resistance, gas barrier properties, flexibility, etc., so they are suitable for thin film electronic devices. It can be suitably used as a gas barrier layer. Furthermore, since the paraxylene polymer layer has relatively good ability to follow unevenness, it is easy to form it uniformly on an uneven surface. In one embodiment, a 1 μm thick layer of parylene manufactured by KISCO Corporation is used as the gas barrier layer 40. Parylene manufactured by KISCO Corporation includes dix-C, dix-D, dix-N, dix-HR, dix-SR, dix-NR, dix-SF, dix-CF, and the like. For example, the gas barrier layer 40 made of dix-SR may be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

As described above, by providing the waterproof layer 30 on the electronic device layer 20 and further having the gas barrier layer 40 on top of the waterproof layer 30, durability against oxygen and water vapor is improved without impairing the function or elasticity of the electronic device. Not only this, but also the durability against water can be improved. This also makes it possible to wash (wash) electronic devices. Note that the same effect can be obtained even if the arrangement of the waterproof layer 30 and the gas barrier layer 40 is reversed, and the gas barrier layer 40 is provided on the electronic device layer 20, and the waterproof layer 30 is further provided on that.

In order to make the stretchable circuit board 6 stretchable, it is preferable to use a stretchable conductor paste (conductive paste) made by mixing micrometer-sized silver flake powder, fluororubber, and fluorine surfactant, for example. . Furthermore, in order to give stretchability to the stretchable circuit board 6, it is preferable to adopt a structure in which the surface of the electronic device layer is not strained even when the stretchable circuit board 6 is stretched or bent. Specifically, by appropriately designing the thickness and Young's modulus of each layer, the intermediate position of strain in the structure is made to coincide with the electronic device layer. Note that the strain intermediate position is a position where no stress is applied to the surface during deformation. With this configuration, the stretchable circuit board 6 can operate without impairing its function even if it is expanded or contracted by 15% or more in any direction.

によって表される面が、前記厚さ方向において前記第１電極層３１の中心と前記第２電極層５０の中心との間に位置する。ここで、
ｎは、伸縮性回路基板６が備える層の数を示し、
Ｅｉは、伸縮性回路基板６が備える層のうち、伸縮性回路基板６の前記一方の面の側からｉ番目の層の弾性率を示し、
ｔｉ及びｔｊは、それぞれｉ番目の層の厚さ及びｊ番目の層の厚さを示す。The configuration of a stretchable circuit board 6 according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The stretchable circuit board 6 includes a first base layer 11 having elasticity, a first electrode layer 31 provided on the first base layer 11, and a semiconductor layer 41 provided on the first electrode layer 31. , a second electrode layer 50 provided on the semiconductor layer 41, and a second base material layer 70 provided on the second electrode layer and having elasticity. A non-elastic base layer 12 may be provided between the first base layer 11 and the first electrode layer 31, and a sealing layer 60 may be provided between the second electrode layer 50 and the second base layer 70. , the base material layer 12 and the sealing layer 60 may be omitted. In the thickness direction of the stretchable circuit board 6, the distance b from one surface 101 is

A surface represented by is located between the center of the first electrode layer 31 and the center of the second electrode layer 50 in the thickness direction. here,
n indicates the number of layers included in the stretchable circuit board 6,
Ei represents the elastic modulus of the i-th layer from the one surface side of the stretchable circuit board 6 among the layers included in the stretchable circuit board 6,
ti and tj indicate the thickness of the i-th layer and the thickness of the j-th layer, respectively.

Although FIG. 5 shows the stretchable circuit board 6 having a seven-layer structure (n=7), the base material layer 12 and the sealing layer 60 may be omitted as described above to provide a five-layer structure. Furthermore, the stretchable circuit board 6 is not limited to a five-layer structure or a seven-layer structure, and may have any number of layers.

Further, it is more preferable that the elastic modulus of each of the outermost layers E1 and En is 1 GPa or less. Further, the inelastic base layer 12, which is the next layer after the outermost layer, and the sealing layer 60 may have a multilayer structure made of different materials.

The stretchable circuit board 6 produced in this way is fixed to the surface of the cloth base material 2 by pasting it with an adhesive or by sewing it. When a heat-resistant material is used as the semiconductor layer 41, the stretchable circuit board 6 can be thermally bonded to the cloth base material 2 using an iron or the like.

Since the myoelectric device 1 according to the present embodiment has a large number of electrodes, it can be worn without worrying about the electrodes being displaced from the muscles to be measured. Furthermore, high-density myoelectric information can predict movement-related diseases such as locomotive syndrome.

Furthermore, by integrating the organic transistor element with the electrode and providing it in the appliance, resistance to noise is improved. Since myoelectric signals are generally measured while moving, it is effective to amplify the myoelectric signals immediately after detection in order to protect weak myoelectric signals from motion noise.

Further, it is more preferable that the electrode is mechanically connected to the stretchable circuit board 6. When the electrodes are electrically and mechanically connected to the stretchable circuit board 6, the closeness of the myoelectric device to the human body is improved, so further reduction of motion noise can be expected, and weak myoelectric This makes it easier to detect surface myoelectrical and deep myoelectrical signals from superficial, middle and deep muscles.

Further, since the stretchable circuit board 6 has a waterproof layer, it is resistant to moisture and can be washed. Since the myoelectric device 1 needs to come into direct contact with the skin, it is effective to be able to wash it in consideration of hygiene.

(Modified example)
In the embodiments described above, only signals based on potential differences between adjacent electrodes among a plurality of electrodes arranged in a row are acquired as myoelectric signals. However, myoelectric signals based on potential differences may be acquired for more combinations of electrodes. For example, a myoelectric signal may be acquired based on potential differences of all combinations of a plurality of electrodes included in one column. In the above example, since there are five electrodes in one row, 10 channels of output can be obtained per row, and a total of 50 channels of output can be obtained with the five rows. Alternatively, myoelectric signals based on all combinations of multiple electrodes may be acquired. In the above example, there are 25 electrodes in total, resulting in 300 channels of output. In order to obtain the potential difference between electrodes belonging to different columns, wiring may be arranged in a matrix.

In the embodiments described above, the acquired myoelectric signals may be output through wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the myoelectric device 1 may be provided with a storage device (memory) to store the measured myoelectric signals and output them to the outside at an arbitrary timing later.

In the embodiment described above, the stretchable circuit boards 6 are individually provided corresponding to the rows of electrodes, but a plurality of these circuits may be formed as one board.

In the above embodiment, the orthosis is fixed in a cylindrical shape using a fastener or the like, but it may be in the shape of a supporter, a shirt, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the upper arm is the measurement target, but any muscle such as the forearm, finger, neck, chest, abdomen, back, upper limb, lower limb, etc. may be targeted. Furthermore, it is similarly applicable to measuring not only surface myoelectricity but also deep muscle, electrocardiogram, stomach potential, intestinal potential, and the like.

When measuring middle and deep muscles, unlike superficial muscles, it is difficult to visually confirm the running direction of muscle fibers and attach a myoelectric device. Therefore, in the above embodiment, by extracting independent components from the signal acquired between the electrodes using an independent component analysis method, it is possible to obtain activity signals of not only superficial muscles but also middle and deep muscles. It is.

In the above embodiment, when the myoelectric device of the present invention is mounted in a direction that allows a surface myoelectric signal to be obtained by outputting a myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between adjacent electrodes, the difference between a different combination of electrodes A deep myoelectric signal may be obtained by outputting a myoelectric signal based on the potential difference. The myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between the electrodes may be amplified at various amplification factors depending on the purpose of measurement and output. Deep myoelectric signals are weaker than surface myoelectric signals. Therefore, in the above embodiment, when the myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between adjacent electrodes is amplified at a certain amplification factor and output, the myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between a different combination of electrodes is The myoelectric signal may be amplified at a higher amplification factor than the amplification factor of the myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between the adjacent electrodes and output.

The configuration of the embodiments described above may be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. The specific parameters in the above embodiment are merely examples, and may be changed as required.

1: Myoelectric device 2: Cloth base material 3: Electrode 4: Fastener 5: Opening 6: Stretchable circuit board 61: Organic transistor element 62: Analog-to-digital conversion circuit 63: Organic thin film solar cell 7: Communication circuit board

Claims (12)

A myoelectric device comprising a stretchable base material, a plurality of electrodes arranged in a matrix , and a stretchable circuit board,
The plurality of electrodes are exposed on the first surface of the base material,
The stretchable circuit board is provided on the second surface of the base material,
The plurality of electrodes are electrically connected to the stretchable circuit board through an opening provided in the base material,
The stretchable circuit board has wiring arranged in a matrix and is connected in series in an electric circuit, and serializes myoelectric signals based on potential differences between the electrodes for all combinations of the plurality of electrodes. A myoelectric device that outputs to the outside . The stretchable circuit board includes an organic transistor element,
The myoelectric device according to claim 1, wherein the myoelectric signal is amplified by the organic transistor element. The myoelectric device according to claim 2, wherein the stretchable circuit board further includes an amplifier circuit and an A/D conversion circuit. The myoelectric device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the stretchable circuit board further comprises an organic thin film photovoltaic device. The stretchable circuit board includes a board made of a stretchable elastomer and a stretchable conductor,
The myoelectric device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which expands or contracts by 15% or more in any direction. A stretchable waterproof layer is provided on the surface of the stretchable circuit board.
The myoelectric device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A strip comprising a stretchable base material, a plurality of electrodes arranged in a matrix exposed on a first surface of the base material, and a stretchable circuit board provided on a second surface of the base material. A myoelectrical measurement method performed by an electric device, the method comprising:
The stretchable circuit board serializes myoelectric signals based on potential differences between the electrodes for all combinations of the plurality of electrodes , and outputs the serialized signals to the outside .
A myoelectric measurement method characterized by the following. The plurality of electrodes are arranged in a matrix on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting the myoelectric signal, the myoelectric signal of the superficial muscle and the myoelectric signal of the intermediate or deep muscle are output by extracting independent components from the signal acquired from between the electrodes.
The myoelectric measurement method according to claim 7 . The plurality of electrodes are arranged in a matrix on the stretchable circuit board,
In the step of outputting a myoelectric signal, a myoelectric signal based on a potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes is output as a surface myoelectric signal, and a myoelectric signal between a combination of electrodes different from the adjacent electrodes is output. Outputs myoelectric signals based on potential differences as deep myoelectric signals,
The myoelectric measurement method according to claim 7 or 8 . The plurality of electrodes are arranged in a matrix on the stretchable circuit board,
When the myoelectric signal is further amplified by an amplification circuit and output, the amplification factor of the myoelectric signal based on the potential difference between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes and the combination of electrodes different from the adjacent electrodes are determined. The amplification factor of myoelectric signals based on the potential difference between
The myoelectric measurement method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 . A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the electromyography measurement method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 11.

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