GB2367621A - Mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices - Google Patents
Mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2367621A GB2367621A GB0013670A GB0013670A GB2367621A GB 2367621 A GB2367621 A GB 2367621A GB 0013670 A GB0013670 A GB 0013670A GB 0013670 A GB0013670 A GB 0013670A GB 2367621 A GB2367621 A GB 2367621A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- mounting arrangement
- electrode
- strap
- arrangement according
- lead
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000012806 monitoring device Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 230000017531 blood circulation Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000036772 blood pressure Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002847 impedance measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000691 measurement method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
- A61B5/026—Measuring blood flow
- A61B5/0295—Measuring blood flow using plethysmography, i.e. measuring the variations in the volume of a body part as modified by the circulation of blood therethrough, e.g. impedance plethysmography
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
- A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
- A61B5/6802—Sensor mounted on worn items
- A61B5/681—Wristwatch-type devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
- A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
- A61B5/02438—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
- A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
- A61B5/0535—Impedance plethysmography
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
- A61B5/25—Bioelectric electrodes therefor
- A61B5/279—Bioelectric electrodes therefor specially adapted for particular uses
- A61B5/28—Bioelectric electrodes therefor specially adapted for particular uses for electrocardiography [ECG]
- A61B5/282—Holders for multiple electrodes
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Physiology (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)
Abstract
A bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement comprising, a moulded plastics strap (1) arranged to be disposed on or around a portion of a user and at least one electrode (3) and associated lead (4) embedded in the moulded material. The mounting arrangement comprises two strap portions (1) and a housing (2) for a electronics module. The housing (2) and strap portions (1) are moulded in one piece. Each lead (4) runs from the respective electrode (3) through a respective strap portion and a wall of the housing and terminates at a contact disposed in the housing for contacting with an inserted electronics module.
Description
Mounting Arrangements
This invention relates to mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices. In particular this application relates to bloodflow monitoring devices such as heart rate monitors for use during exercising or fitness training. In this application the term bloodflow parameters is used to mean physical (as opposed to chemical) characteristics which can be measured in relation to bloodflow in an animal or particularly a human subject, and particularly includes heart rate and blood pressure.
There are existing systems for monitoring heart rate during exercise. These typically measure heart rate by detecting the electrical signals output by the wearer's heart. Such devices include mounting arrangements for mounting the necessary electronic circuitry on a user and providing the necessary contacts with the user to pick up the electrical signals generated by the heart. In some of these systems a strap of the mounting arrangement is made of high carbon content rubber and thus acts as a conductor and is used to provide electrical contact with the user. However, such systems provide a relatively poor conduction path. Whilst this can be accepted in some circumstances it is undesirable or impractical in other circumstances. In particular, the type of measurement technique being used and/or the position at which the strap including the contacts is to be located will affect performance. Thus, whilst
the relatively poor conductive qualities may be acceptable in a chest mounted strap they may be unacceptable in a wrist mounted strap It is an object of the present invention to provide a bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement which alleviates at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement comprising, a moulded plastics strap arranged to be disposed on or around a portion of a user and at least one electrode and associated lead embedded in the moulded material.
The mounting arrangement may comprise one or more strap portions and a housing for a electronics module, the housing and strap portions may be moulded in one piece. The or each lead may run from the respective electrode through a respective strap portion and a wall of the housing and terminate at a contact disposed in the housing for contacting with an inserted electronics module.
Preferably there are at least two electrodes, more preferably still there are four electrodes. Typically the or each electrode is metallic. Preferably the or each
electrode is disposed so as to make direct contact with the skin of a user, when the mounting arrangement is in use.
Where there are two or more electrodes, the electrodes may be arranged with a view to ensuring adequate spacing between the associated leads. The or each electrode may comprises a contact surface to which the respective lead is connected. The contact surface of a first electrode may be spaced from the contact surface of a second electrode in two dimensions. Preferably, the contact surface of the first electrode is spaced from the contact surface of the second electrode in three dimensions. Preferably, the contact surface of each electrode is spaced from the contact surface of each other electrode in, two and, preferably three dimensions. Preferably, notwithstanding the above, all or a plurality of the electrodes are provided in the same region of the strap and/or spaced in a single dimension or direction.
One or more contact surface may be provided on a contact projection which protrudes from the electrode into the body of the strap.
The or each lead may be a metallic, in particular a stainless steel, strip. In some embodiments, the or each lead may be uninsulated, the plastics material of the strap providing the necessary insulation. In other embodiments, the or
each lead may be provided with a layer of insulation.
Preferably the mounting arrangement is arranged to be fastened around a user's wrist.
The mounting arrangement may be a heart rate monitoring device mounting arrangement.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement having a moulded plastics strap and at least one electrode and associated lead, wherein the strap is formed by a moulding process in a moulding tool and is arranged to be disposed on or around a portion of a user, and the method comprises the step of disposing the or each electrode and lead in the tool during the moulding operation, so that the or each electrode and lead are embedded in the plastics material.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a bloodflow parameter monitoring device, in particular, a heart rate monitoring device, comprising a mounting arrangement as defined above.
Preferably the monitoring device is arranged for use whilst exercising/fitness training. Preferably the monitoring device is arranged for determining parameters by impedance measurement.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a wrist mounting arrangement for a heart rate monitor, various portions of which are shown cut away to illustrate the important aspects of the mounting arrangement;
Figure 2 shows a section on line LI-IL of the wrist mounting arrangement shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a section on line III-III of the wrist mounting arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 shows an underside view of the wrist mounting arrangement shown in
Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the strap of the mounting arrangement
shown in Figure 1, the strap being partly cut away to more clearly show the arrangement of electrodes and leads within the strap.
Figures I to 5 show a mounting arrangement for a heart rate monitoring device.
The arrangement is designed to be worn on the wrist of a user whilst exercising so that the user may monitor his or her heart rate. The mounting arrangement comprises a first strap portion 1, a housing 2 (only part of which is shown) and a second strap portion (not shown). The mounting arrangement generally resembles a moulded plastic wristwatch and besides the special features of the device which will be described below, the mounting arrangement is arranged to be fitted on the wrist of a user in the same way as a wristwatch. The second strap portion (not shown) is simply a standard portion of a strap which can be used in conjunction with the first strap portion I to secure the device to a wearer's wrist. It is envisaged that the strap portions will include a hook and loop fastener to allow the length of the strap to be adjusted and secured appropriately.
The first 1 and second (not shown) strap portions and housing 2 are moulded in one piece from plastics material such as polyurethane using an injection moulding process.
In the finally assembled monitoring device an electronics module (not shown) is inserted into a recess 21 provided in the housing 2 and a back cover (not shown) is fitted to retain the electronics module in position
For the understanding and performance of this invention, it is not necessary to go into the details of the working of the heart rate monitor itself. It is enough to note that for the monitoring device to function, signals must be transmitted between the skin of the user and the electronics module. It is the provision of a suitable transmission path via the mounting arrangement that this application concerns.
In the present embodiment four stainless steel electrodes 3 are disposed in the first strap portion 1 such that, as can be best seen in Figures 2 and 4, one surface of each electrode 3 is substantially flush with the undersurface of the strap portion 1. This means that when the mounting arrangement is on the wrist of the user, the electrodes 3 contact directly with the user's skin.
As shown in Figures 1,2, 3 and 5, each electrode 3 has an associated lead 4 which runs from the respective electrode 3 through the strap portion 1 and a side wall of the housing 2 into the recess 21. In this embodiment the leads comprise stainless steel strips which have the necessary flexibility to allow the
strap portion 1 to be bent around the wrist of a user. Each of the leads 4 is provided with a coating of insulating material. Each of the leads 4 terminates in a contact 41 that, as shown most clearly in Figure 1, projects into the recess 21 such that it may make contact with the electronics module when it is inserted.
As mentioned above, the strap portions 1 and housing 2 are moulded in one piece. The electrodes 3 and leads 4 are disposed in the tool during the moulding process such that the leads 4 and electrodes 3 are embedded in the plastics material during the moulding operation. This leads to an efficient manufacturing process and avoids there being separate connecting wires between the electrodes 3 and electronics module which would be prone to breakage.
As mentioned above, each of the leads 4 is provided with a coating of insulating material. However, it should be noted that the leads 4 are spaced from one another through the strap portion I and thus additional insulation is provided by the plastic of the strap itself. In some alternatives the leads may be provided with no insulating coating, reliance being placed on the spacing of the leads and the plastic of the strap to provide the necessary insulation.
The electrodes 3 are arranged with a view to ensuring that the leads 4 are spaced from one another. In particular. as can be best seen from Figures 2 and 5, each electrode 3 has a contact surface 3a where it meets its respective lead 4 and these are provided in mutually spaced positions within the strap portion 1.
Likewise the leads 4 pass along transversely spaced paths through the strap portion 1. The contact surfaces 3a as well as the paths are spaced in both transverse directions.
Three of the four electrodes 3 are provided with contact projections 31 which protrude into the body of the strap I by differing amounts to provide spacing of the contact surfaces 3a and leads 4 in the direction of the thickness t of the strap portion 1. Similarly, the contact surfaces 3a and leads 4 are spaced from one another in the direction of the width w of the strap portion 1. As the electrodes 3 themselves are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the strap portion 1, the contact surfaces 3a are spaced from one another in three dimensions. At the same time however, the electrodes 3 are substantially adjacent to one another.
In alternatives other numbers and arrangements of electrodes may be used, for example, the electrodes may be distributed across two strap portions.
Other materials may be used for the strap portions, housing, and/or the leads and electrodes. For example other suitable polymers may be used for the strap portions and/or housing.
The mounting arrangement may be used for other forms of bloodflow parameter monitoring devices, such as blood pressure monitoring devices.
Claims (12)
1. A bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement comprising, a moulded plastics strap arranged to be disposed on or around a portion of a user and at least one electrode and associated lead embedded in the moulded material.
2. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1 comprising one or more strap portions and a housing for a electronics module, wherein the housing and strap portions are moulded in one piece.
3. A mounting arrangement according to claim 2 in which the or each lead runs from the respective electrode through a respective strap portion and a wall of the housing and terminates at a contact disposed in the housing for contacting with an inserted electronics module.
4. A mounting arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the or each electrode is disposed so as to make direct contact with the skin of a user, when the mounting arrangement is in use.
5. A mounting arrangement according to any preceding claim in which
there are two or more electrodes, and the electrodes are arranged with a view to ensuring adequate spacing between the associated leads.
6. A mounting arrangement according to claim 5 in which each electrode comprises a contact surface to which the respective lead is connected, wherein the contact surface of a first electrode is spaced from the contact surface of a second electrode in two dimensions.
7. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6 in which the contact surface of the first electrode is spaced from the contact surface of the second electrode in three dimensions.
8. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which one or more contact surface is provided on a respective contact projection which protrudes from the electrode into the body of the strap.
9. A mounting arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the or each lead is a metallic strip.
10. A mounting arrangement according to any preceding claim which is arranged to be fastened around a user's wrist.
11. A method of manufacturing a bloodflow parameter monitoring device mounting arrangement having a moulded plastics strap and at least one electrode and associated lead, wherein the strap is formed by a moulding process in a moulding tool and is arranged to be disposed on or around a portion of a user, and the method comprises the step of disposing the or each electrode and lead in the tool during the moulding operation, so that the or each electrode and lead are embedded in the plastics material.
12. A bloodflow parameter monitoring device comprising a mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0013670A GB2367621A (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-06-05 | Mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0013670A GB2367621A (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-06-05 | Mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0013670D0 GB0013670D0 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
| GB2367621A true GB2367621A (en) | 2002-04-10 |
Family
ID=9893016
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0013670A Withdrawn GB2367621A (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-06-05 | Mounting arrangements for bloodflow parameter monitoring devices |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2367621A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1839574A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-03 | Jon Sakowsky | Human organism examination band and human organism examination circuit |
| JP2019154864A (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2019-09-19 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | Pulse wave propagation time measuring device and blood pressure measuring device |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109498014A (en) * | 2019-01-10 | 2019-03-22 | 重庆金山医疗器械有限公司 | Monoblock type PH electrode catheter and processing method |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4120294A (en) * | 1976-08-26 | 1978-10-17 | Wolfe Donna L | Electrode system for acquiring electrical signals from the heart |
| DE2847087A1 (en) * | 1978-10-28 | 1980-04-30 | Sachs Elektronik Kg Hugo | Pulse frequency meter worn on wrist - measures blood pulse rate from electrode and uses oscillator to give time display signals |
| EP0165505A1 (en) * | 1984-05-24 | 1985-12-27 | Walter A. Maier | Device for the continuous measurement of the human heart pulse |
| US4966155A (en) * | 1985-01-31 | 1990-10-30 | The University Of Strathclyde | Apparatus for monitoring physiological parameters |
| GB2257523A (en) * | 1991-05-22 | 1993-01-13 | Polar Electro Oy | Telemetric transmitter unit |
-
2000
- 2000-06-05 GB GB0013670A patent/GB2367621A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4120294A (en) * | 1976-08-26 | 1978-10-17 | Wolfe Donna L | Electrode system for acquiring electrical signals from the heart |
| DE2847087A1 (en) * | 1978-10-28 | 1980-04-30 | Sachs Elektronik Kg Hugo | Pulse frequency meter worn on wrist - measures blood pulse rate from electrode and uses oscillator to give time display signals |
| EP0165505A1 (en) * | 1984-05-24 | 1985-12-27 | Walter A. Maier | Device for the continuous measurement of the human heart pulse |
| US4966155A (en) * | 1985-01-31 | 1990-10-30 | The University Of Strathclyde | Apparatus for monitoring physiological parameters |
| GB2257523A (en) * | 1991-05-22 | 1993-01-13 | Polar Electro Oy | Telemetric transmitter unit |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1839574A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-03 | Jon Sakowsky | Human organism examination band and human organism examination circuit |
| WO2007113271A3 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2008-02-28 | Jon Sakowsky | The band to measure the parameters of a human body and the system to analyze the parameters of a human body |
| JP2019154864A (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2019-09-19 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | Pulse wave propagation time measuring device and blood pressure measuring device |
| JP7023752B2 (en) | 2018-03-14 | 2022-02-22 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | Pulse wave velocity measuring device and blood pressure measuring device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0013670D0 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |