JP2001299713A - Electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To firmly fix a terminal connector to a supporting member. SOLUTION: An electrode provided with a supporting member made of a flexible base material, a conductive layer, a conductive adhesive layer, a projection, a recess corresponding to the projection and a terminal connector having a collar in the lower end of the projection, a projection capable of engaging the terminal connector by fitting the recess of the terminal connector and a conductive fastener having a collar in the lower end of the projection, and featuring the subsidence of the collar of the terminal connector into the supporting member and being crimped to the supporting member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode. More specifically, the present invention provides a low frequency therapy device electrode, electrocardiogram,
Electrodes that can be used particularly favorably as biological electrodes such as myoelectricity, electroencephalogram, etc., for internal organ function testing, iontophoresis reference, drug single-electrode, earth electrode such as electric scalpel, etc. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrode having a snap-type terminal has been used as an electrode for a low frequency treatment device.
As shown in FIG. 5, a conductive layer 2 provided on the back surface of the non-conductive support member 1 and a conductive adhesive layer capable of adhering to the surface of a living body stuck on the conductive layer, as shown in FIG. There is known a structure having an agent layer 3 and a metal terminal connector 4 partially contacting the conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

However, since the conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive contains water or contains an electrolyte for imparting conductivity even if it does not contain water, a metal terminal is caused by the water or the electrolyte. There was a problem that the connection tool corroded.

As means for solving this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In JP-A-255860, corrosion is prevented by using a convex terminal made of a conductive nonmetal having an electric resistance of 1Ω or less and provided with a flange at the lower end. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-2
In JP 53219, a snap for connection (terminal connector)
Corrosion is prevented by attaching a rust-preventive tape to the surface in contact with the conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

[0005]

The electrode having the structure described in the above publication does not have the problem of corrosion, but has some other problems.

First, the electrode described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-255860 uses a conductive non-metallic terminal connector.
It is described that the conductive nonmetal is a substantially cut mass of carbon or a resin molded product in which a large amount of carbon or graphite is mixed. Such materials have the drawback of being brittle and easily broken. In order to compensate for this drawback, it is necessary to give the flange a certain thickness. However, when a terminal connector having such a thick flange is used as an electrode, the thickness of the electrode is increased only on the lower side of the terminal connector 4 as shown in FIG.
This step may cause poor contact when applied to a living body. In addition, this step causes the user to feel uncomfortable. However, when it is forcibly pressed and affixed to a living body, the thickness of the conductive adhesive is reduced only in the terminal portion as shown in FIG. Will occur.

Further, the above publication describes a structure in which a metal cap having a flange at the lower end is attached to an upper part of a convex terminal projecting from a base sheet in order to suppress wobbling of the convex terminal. Have been. According to this structure, the base sheet and the conductive layer around the terminal insertion hole can be sandwiched from above and below by the flange of the cap and the flange of the convex terminal. However, since it cannot be strongly caulked due to the problem of the strength of the conductive non-metal, when employing this structure, it is necessary to affix an insulating tape to the lower surface of the convex terminal to reinforce the terminal. However, it is difficult to fix the terminal sufficiently only by attaching the insulating tape because the conductive non-metallic flange is thick.

Further, a PET sheet and a soft polyurethane sheet are described as a soft synthetic resin sheet as a support member for an electrode. However, since the PET sheet has little buffering property and low flexibility, if the supporting member is made thick enough to maintain sufficient strength as an electrode, the supporting member becomes too hard, and it is difficult to follow the skin of a living body. There is. On the other hand, the polyurethane sheet is more flexible than the PET sheet, but is known to be easily stretched. Even if the caulking structure is adopted, the fixing tool penetrates when attaching / detaching the lead wire or peeling the electrode from the living body. There is a possibility that the hole of the polyurethane sheet becomes wider. For this reason, there is a possibility that the terminal connector may come off, or the sheet may be torn from the hole, and the electrode may be broken.

As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), it is difficult to always caulk the fixing tool 5 to the terminal connecting tool 4 accurately, and in fact, it may be caulked slightly obliquely ( FIG. 8 (c)). That is, the terminal connecting tool 4 and the fixing tool 5 are caulked such that one end thereof is close to the other and the other end is separated (see FIG. 8D). At this time, since the cushioning property of the polyurethane sheet is low, one end of the flange 4a of the terminal connector 4 is in a floating state. Further, when the rising of the flange 4a is suppressed, the flange 5a of the fixture is in a state of rising (see FIG. 8E). Even in this state, although it is apparently fixed, it cannot be said to be completely fixed from the viewpoint of electrical conductivity.

The electrode described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-253219 has a structure in which a metal snap for connecting to a connector of an external device is provided through a support. Therefore, for example, when an electrode is used by connecting a connector of an external device, the snap may fluctuate or, in some cases, a poor contact with the conductive layer may occur, and the function as an electrode may not be sufficiently exhibited.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-253219, a polyester fabric is used as a flexible base material.
In terms of buffering properties, it has the same problem as in JP-A-7-255860. Therefore, it is impossible to solve the problem simply by combining this with the caulking structure of the latter publication. Also, even if hydrophobic cloth is used for the cloth, when the electrode surface comes into contact with water or the like, moisture and the like penetrate by capillary action,
The strength of the swaged portion decreases. In addition, the cloth has a problem that hand oil or the like easily adheres to the cloth and easily stains when the electrode is used repeatedly.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve these problems and to provide an electrode having a terminal connector which can be stably conducted without wobble or poor contact. It is an invention made.

Thus, according to the present invention, a support member made of a non-conductive flexible substrate having a thickness of 0.3 mm or more and elasticity, a conductive layer provided on the back surface of the support member, A terminal connector having a conductive adhesive layer provided, a convex portion, a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion, and a flange at the lower end of the convex portion, and a terminal connector being locked by fitting into the concave portion of the terminal connector. Provided with a conductive part having a flange at the lower end of the convex part and the convex part, and a terminal connector is provided so that the flange at the lower end of the convex part is in contact with the surface of the support member. The protrusion is provided so that the protrusion side is located on the conductive layer side, and the protrusions of the conductive fixing tool are penetrated through the conductive layer and the support member, and are fitted into the recesses of the terminal connection tool, thereby locking the two components, and thereby securing the terminal. An electrode, characterized in that a flange of a connection tool is indented into a support member and is crimped to the support member. It is provided.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, a non-conductive flexible substrate having a thickness of 0.3 mm or more is used as a supporting member.

[0015] The flexible substrate is preferably a foam. It is more preferable that the substrate is hydrophobic and does not have water permeability. More specifically, a foamed sheet obtained from a resin base material containing a homopolymer, a copolymer or a polymer mixture of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene vinyl acetate or a partially saponified product thereof is preferable.

By using a flexible base material having elasticity,
As shown in FIG. 1A, the flange of the terminal connector 4 can be recessed in the support member 1. Therefore, when exposed to water from the electrode surface, or when stored or used under high humidity conditions, water seeps into the space between the terminal connector and the support member or into the support member itself, and the electric resistance value of the electrode varies. In addition, it is possible to prevent the resin constituting the support member from swelling and the strength of the locking portion from being weakened. FIG. 1 (a)
In the figure, 6 means a conductive fixture.

On the other hand, for example, a conventionally used hydrophilic nonwoven fabric such as cotton has no cushioning property,
As shown in (b), since the terminal connector 4 is hard to be crimped to the support member 1, moisture may permeate the nonwoven fabric itself, and as a result, moisture may permeate the support member and reach the locking portion. Was. Furthermore, in the case of hydrophobic non-woven fabrics such as polyester and acrylic, moisture does not permeate into the fibers themselves, but there is a risk that moisture penetrates between the fibers by capillary action and reaches the swaged portion. In the present invention, such water penetration can be prevented.

The flexible substrate has a thickness of 0.3 mm or more, preferably 0.3 to 3 mm. The thickness is 0.
If it is less than 3 mm, deformation of the flexible base material when caulking is small, and it is difficult to securely fix the terminal connector. The upper limit of the thickness of the flexible base material is preferably 3 mm or less, at which the terminal fitting can appropriately indent the flexible base material from the viewpoint of easily connecting the terminal to the terminal fitting.

Next, a conductive layer is provided on the back surface of the support member.

Examples of the conductive layer include a metal foil, a conductive resin film, a film coated with a conductive ink, and the like.

The metal foil is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, but it is hardly corroded and has excellent conductivity.
A foil made of nickel, aluminum, stainless steel or the like is preferable. When metal foil is used for the conductive layer, its thickness is 3
It is preferably about 35 μm.

The conductive resin film may be silver,
A resin film in which metal particles such as silver / silver chloride, nickel or the like, particles of a conductive polymer, carbon, graphite, or the like alone or in a mixture is dispersed, or a film of a conductive polymer can be used. When a conductive resin film is used for the conductive layer, its thickness is preferably 3 to 100 μm.

The method of forming the metal foil or the conductive resin film on the support member includes a method using an adhesive, a method of heating, and a method of pressing.

As the film obtained by coating the conductive ink, metal particles such as silver, silver / silver chloride, and nickel, particles of a conductive polymer, and particles such as carbon and graphite can be used alone or in a mixture of polyurethane and polyester. Prepare a conductive ink dispersed in a resin binder composed of a single or a mixture of polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, etc., apply it on a support member by printing, spraying, dipping, etc., and dry to form Can be used. As a printing method, a bar coater printing method, a screen printing method, a flexographic printing method, a gravure printing method, or the like can be used. When using a film in which the conductive ink is coated on the conductive layer, its thickness is 2-3.
Preferably it is 5 μm.

Next, a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is provided on the conductive layer.

The conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive is not particularly limited.
Any pressure-sensitive adhesive known in the art can be used. For example, it is preferable to use the following adhesive. That is, 18-30% by weight of a crosslinked synthetic polymer,
12-30% by weight of water, 25-65% by weight of polyhydric alcohol
A conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive consisting of a gel containing 1 to 13% by weight of an electrolyte salt can be used. In this conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, water contained in the gel in an amount of 12 to 30% by weight corresponds to 3 to 50% of the saturated water absorption of the gel, and the gel is dissolved in water at 20 ° C.
Of the adhesive strength before immersion is 50
% Or less.

The polymerizable monomer constituting the crosslinked synthetic polymer is represented by the following formula: CH ₂ CR ¹ -CONR ² R ³ [wherein R ¹ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R ² and R ³
Represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, respectively.
And an acrylic ester or methacrylic acid represented by the formula: CH ₂ ＣＲCR ¹ —COOR ² wherein R ¹ and R ² each have the same meaning as described above. Ester compounds and vinylpyrrolidone.

Here, the lower alkyl group of R ² and R ³ includes, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. A linear or branched lower alkyl group is exemplified.

In addition, (meth) acrylic acid, vinyl carboxylic acid, allylamine, vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, vinyl benzoic acid, vinyl pyridine, tert-butyl acrylamide sulfonic acid, methacryloyl ethyl, trimethyl ammonium chloride Alternatively, ionic polymerizable monomers such as polyfunctional isocyanates such as dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide and hexamethylene diisocyanate, alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and polyols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol are also used. it can. When an ionic monomer is used, it is preferable to use a nonionic monomer in combination in order to prevent the formation of aggregates.

The crosslinkable monomer used together with the polymerizable monomer includes N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide, N, N'-methylenebismethacrylamide, N, N '
-Ethylenebisacrylamide, N, N'-ethylenebismethacrylamide, 1,2-diacrylamideethylene glycol, di (tri or poly) acrylate, di (tri or poly) methacrylate and the like.

The proportion of the cross-linkable monomer suitable for obtaining the above-mentioned cross-linked synthetic polymer depends on the type of the polymerizable monomer and the cross-linkable monomer. 0.1 to 3.5% by weight based on the body, more preferably 0.1 to 3.5% by weight.
5 to 2.0% by weight.

The composition ratio of the crosslinked synthetic polymer contained in the conductive polymer gel is preferably from 18 to 30% by weight, and more preferably from 18 to 25% by weight.

The ratio of the crosslinked synthetic polymer is 18% by weight.
If the amount is less, when a gel is prepared using such a synthetic polymer, the ratio of the polymer main chain in the gel is too low, so that a gel having sufficient waist strength cannot be obtained, and the network structure of the gel body It is difficult to maintain the electrolyte solution sealed therein in a stable state.
On the other hand, when the proportion of the crosslinked synthetic polymer is more than 30% by weight, a gel having a high gel strength and a high waist strength can be obtained, but the network structure of the gel body is too dense, and the gel is contained in the network Since the absolute amount of the electrolyte solution that can be sealed is reduced, it is difficult to obtain a conductive polymer gel having a desired impedance.

The water content in the conductive polymer gel is 12 to 30% by weight, more preferably 16 to 30% by weight, based on the whole gel.

If the water content of the gel is less than 12%, good conductivity cannot be obtained, and a gel having a suitable impedance cannot be obtained.

When the water content of the gel is more than 30%, it is difficult for water to stably exist in the mesh, and the gel is easily dried. As a result, the impedance of the gel gradually increases, leading to a decrease in measurement accuracy during long-time use, which is not preferable.

In this conductive polymer gel, when water is contained in an amount of 12 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the gel, the amount of the water corresponds to 3 to 50% of the saturated water absorption of the gel. It is a feature.

In a gel in which the water content of 12 to 30% by weight contained in the gel is less than 3% of the saturated water absorption, when the gel comes into contact with water, it absorbs water quickly and swells, and the polymer network structure is increased. Looseness and inclusion components such as polyhydric alcohol elute. As a result, the composition of the gel changes, and the strength and adhesive strength of the gel decrease, so that the gel cannot be used again after washing.

In a gel in which the water content of 12 to 30% by weight contained in the gel exceeds 50% of the saturated water absorption, the strength of the gel itself is high, but the adhesiveness is poor and the brittleness is increased.
Breakage and destruction due to tension and compression are likely to occur,
Not preferred.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol contained in the gel include sorbitol, glycol, glycerin and the like. These polyhydric alcohols are present in the gel in 25-65
% By weight, more preferably 35 to
60% by weight.

When the content of the polyhydric alcohol contained in the gel is 2
If it is less than 5%, a sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the content of the polyhydric alcohol exceeds 65%, the polyhydric alcohol bleeds on the surface of the gel, which causes a decrease in the adhesive strength, which is not preferable.

As the electrolyte salt contained in the gel, those having a small molecular weight and no skin irritation, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride, are preferred.
These electrolyte salts are preferably contained in the gel in an amount of 1 to 13% by weight, more preferably 2 to 6% by weight.

If the content of the electrolyte salt in the gel is less than 1% by weight, a biomedical electrode having a suitable impedance cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the content of the electrolyte salt is more than 13% by weight, it exceeds the ionization limit in relation to the water content, which is not preferable.

To produce the conductive polymer gel, first, a polymerizable monomer, a crosslinkable monomer, a polyhydric alcohol, and an electrolyte salt are respectively weighed, and a predetermined amount of the mixture is added to the mixture. Add water and stir to obtain a uniform monomer mixture. A conductive polymer gel can be obtained by appropriately adding a polymerization initiator thereto and conducting a polymerization reaction by a conventional method.

The gel thus obtained has an adhesive strength of 2
It is in the range of 00 to 1000 g, and has an impedance in the range of specific resistance of 20 Ω to 1 kΩ, and is suitable for use as a gel pad of a biomedical electrode used for local bioelectric signals or electrotherapy.

Incidentally, a preservative, a bactericide, a stabilizer, a fragrance, a surfactant, a coloring agent, and the like may be appropriately added to the conductive polymer gel, if desired.

Next, the electrode of the present invention is locked by fitting the terminal connector having the convex portion, the concave portion corresponding to the convex portion, and the flange portion at the lower end of the convex portion, into the concave portion of the terminal connector. A conductive fixture having a protrusion and a flange at the lower end of the protrusion. The terminal connection tool and the conductive fixing tool may be made of any material as long as it has conductivity. However, strength,
From the viewpoint of satisfying desired properties such as corrosion resistance,
It is preferable to use a hardly corrosive metal. Specifically, austenitic systems such as SUS304, SUS316, and SUS316L; martensite systems such as SUS410;
Ferrite stainless steel such as SUS430 can be used.

It is preferable that the projection of the terminal connector has a height of 1.5 to 4.0 mm to facilitate connection with the terminal. The shape of the concave portion is not particularly limited as long as the concave portion has a shape corresponding to the convex portion and can be locked by fitting the convex portion of the conductive fixing tool described below.

Furthermore, the shape and the like of the flange are not particularly limited as long as they have at least a thickness and a width capable of fixing the terminal connector. In addition, when the above metal is used, the thickness of the flange can be reduced to about 0.1 to 0.4 mm. By setting the thickness to 0.1 mm or more, the strength of the flange portion is ensured, and it is easy to mold the flange into an accurate shape. In addition, it is possible to suppress the possibility of deformation or breakage due to the inability to withstand the impact at the time of caulking.
Further, by setting the thickness of the flange portion to 0.4 mm or less, molding can be facilitated and a step corresponding to the flange portion can be prevented from being generated on the surface of the conductive adhesive layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress poor contact and uncomfortable feeling given to the user.

Further, the width of the flange is preferably adjusted so that the width of the bottom surface of the terminal connector is 5 to 15 mm.

Next, the height and shape of the convex portion of the conductive fixture are not particularly limited as long as they can be locked by fitting the convex portion into the concave portion of the terminal connector. In addition, the thickness of the flange of the conductive fixture is preferably 0.1 to 0.4 mm for the same reason as the flange of the terminal connector. Further, the width of the flange is not particularly limited as long as the conductive fixing tool can be fixed. From the viewpoint of making the fixing stronger, it is preferable that the width of the flange of the conductive fixing tool is equal to or wider than the width of the flange of the terminal connector.

The terminal connection tool and the conductive fixing tool are arranged as follows. First, the flange of the terminal connector is arranged so that the lower end of the projection is located on the surface side of the support member, and the flange of the conductive fixing tool is arranged on the conductive layer. Further, the terminal fitting is locked by the protrusion of the conductive fixing tool penetrating through the conductive layer and the support member and fitting into the recess of the terminal fitting. As a result, the flange portion of the terminal connector is recessed in the support member and is pressed against the support member.

[0053] Since the support member can be used as a packing to fix the terminal connecting member and the conductive fixing member by the pressure bonding as described above, moisture or the like permeates the supporting member from the flange portion of the terminal connecting member. Can be prevented. Further, even if the terminal fitting or the conductive fixing tool is misaligned when the conductive fixing tool is recessed into the terminal fitting, the terminal fitting may be recessed into the support member even if the flange of the terminal fitting or the conductive fixing tool rises. Therefore, the contact between the flange portion and the support member can be maintained.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the support member due to the lifting.

Further, a stretched resin film (hereinafter also referred to as a stretched film) is preferably laminated between the support member and the conductive layer. By laminating the stretched films, it is possible to obtain an electrode having high tensile strength.
The method for stretching the resin film is not particularly limited, and may be a known method such as uniaxial or biaxial.

As the base material of the stretched film, PET, O
PP, OPS, etc. can be used. The stretched film is hardly deformed and has high strength. Therefore, even if the stretched film is thin to make the electrode flexible, it is possible to maintain sufficient strength.

The stretched film preferably contains a pigment. The pigment is not particularly limited, but titanium oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate and the like are preferably used. By including the pigment, the concealing property of the film is enhanced, and even if the conductive layer is colored black by using carbon or the like, the conductive layer is not transparent, and a hygienic and good appearance can be obtained. Here, in the film having low concealing property, the color of the conductive layer is seen through the flexible base material. In addition, as a method of improving the concealing property, there is also a method of providing an aluminum vapor deposition layer on the surface of the stretched film opposite to the conductive layer. It is also possible to use a mixture of a pigment and an aluminum vapor-deposited film.

The stretched film has a thickness of 5 to 70 μm.
Is preferable. If the thickness is less than 5 μm, it is not preferable because wrinkles may occur or the film may be cut due to insufficient strength when the conductive layer is provided or processed. When the thickness exceeds 70 μm, the film has high strength when the conductive layer is provided or processed, so that the film does not wrinkle and there is almost no possibility of the film being cut. However, when it is applied to a living body as an electrode, it is not preferable because the stiffness of the film is too strong and it is difficult to follow the curved surface of the living body, and poor adhesion or falling off tends to occur.

As a method for laminating the stretched film on the support member, a method using an adhesive, a method of fusing by heating,
Compression bonding method and the like can be mentioned. Among them, a method of using an adhesive having little effect on the stretched film is preferable.
As an adhesive constituting the adhesive layer, a polyester resin adhesive, an acrylic resin adhesive, a vinyl chloride resin adhesive, or the like can be used.

When decorative printing is performed on the surface of the flexible base material, the provision of the adhesive layer has the following advantages.

In the case where the decorative printing is one-color printing, there is a method of optionally performing a corona treatment, performing decorative printing on the surface of the flexible base material, and then laminating a stretched film. In this case, both a method of fusing by heating and a method of providing an adhesive layer are possible. However, a dry method is preferable. In this case, providing the adhesive layer has no particular effect.

In the case of multicolor printing, it is difficult to print directly on a flexible base material due to misregistration. Therefore, it is preferable to perform decorative printing after laminating a stretched film.

However, when decorative printing is performed on the surface of the flexible base material, the printing may be peeled off without corona treatment. However, if the corona treatment is performed after laminating the stretched films on which the conductive layers are formed, the corona treatment cannot be performed because sparks come out of the conductive layers and are dangerous. Further, even if the flexible substrate is subjected to corona treatment before lamination of the stretched film having the conductive layer formed thereon, if the lamination of the stretched film is heated and performed, the corona disappears and the printing adequacy is deteriorated.

Therefore, if the stretched film is laminated via the adhesive layer, processing at a low temperature becomes possible, so that printing can be performed without losing the corona.

Further, the surface of the flange portion of the conductive fixture on the side in contact with the conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be covered with an insulating layer.
By covering with an insulating layer, the terminal can be fixed more firmly and corrosion can be more effectively prevented. Furthermore,
When an electrode is actually used for electric treatment or the like, an electrical stimulation can be softened by providing an insulating layer in a place where conduction is easily provided immediately below a terminal portion.

It is preferable that the insulating layer has an area larger than that of the flange of the conductive fixture and is provided so that the flange does not come into direct contact with the conductive adhesive. As a method for fixing the insulating layer, for example, there is a method in which an adhesive layer is provided on one surface of the insulating layer, and the adhesive layer is brought into contact with the flange of the conductive fixture and the conductive layer.

As the insulating layer, a resin film having one side printed in the same color as the conductive layer or a resin film in which a pigment prepared in the same color as the conductive layer is kneaded can be used.
In the case of a printed film, it is desirable to provide an aluminum vapor-deposited layer on the opposite side of the printed surface or between the printed surface and the resin film to enhance the concealing property. The resin film is PET resin,
Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, cellophane and the like can be used. It is also possible to use both the addition of a pigment and the deposition of aluminum.

Further, when printing is performed on the insulating layer, an adhesive layer may be provided on the surface opposite to the printed surface, or on one side of the insulating layer whose color has been adjusted by adding a pigment. Is preferably provided. Thereby, it can be accurately fixed to the flange of the conductive fixing tool.

The specific structure of the electrode of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

2 (a) to 2 (h), 1 is a support member, 2 is a conductive layer, 3 is a conductive adhesive layer, 4 is a terminal connector, 6 is a conductive fixture, and 7 is a stretched member. A film, 8 is an insulating layer, and 9 is an adhesive layer.

First, FIG. 2A shows a support member 1, a stretched film 7, a conductive layer 2, a conductive adhesive layer 3, and a terminal connector 4.
And an electrode provided with a conductive fixture 6. FIG. 2 (b)
Is an enlarged view of the periphery of the terminal connector 4. FIG.

FIG. 2 (c) shows an electrode provided with an insulating layer 8 covering the flange of the conductive fixture 6 in the configuration of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 2 (d) shows an electrode in which the conductive layer 2 is provided on a part of the stretched film 7 in the configuration of FIG. 2 (c).

FIG. 2E shows an electrode in which only the support member 1 is extended in the configuration of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2F shows an electrode in which the stretched film 7 and the support member 1 are extended in the configuration of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2 (g) shows the structure of FIG. 2 (c) in which the support member 1, the stretched film 7 and the conductive layer 2 are extended, and the terminal connector 4 and the conductive fixing member are provided in the extended portions. 6 and an electrode provided with an insulating layer 8.

FIG. 2 (h) shows an electrode in which an adhesive layer 9 is provided between the support member 1 and the stretched film 7 in the configuration of FIG. 2 (c).

The electrodes of the present invention can be applied to living organisms such as electrodes for low-frequency therapeutic devices, electrodes for examination of internal organ functions such as electrocardiograms, myoelectrics, and electroencephalograms, electrodes for iontophoresis, electrodes for single drugs, and earth electrodes such as electric scalpels. It can be particularly suitably used for a biomedical electrode to be applied and treated or tested. The electrode of the present invention can be used without particular limitation in fields other than biological electrodes, as long as it is a field where voltage application is desired.

[0078]

EXAMPLE 1 A conductive layer 2 was formed by printing an ink containing carbon on a stretched film 7 made of a 36 μm-thick polyester film into which barium sulfate had been kneaded (FIGS. 3A and 3B). reference). Next, on the side opposite to the surface on which the conductive layer 2 is formed of the stretched film 7, a flexible base material (support member) 1 made of a crosslinked polyethylene foam having a thickness of 0.6 mm is laminated via an adhesive layer 9. (See FIGS. 3C and 3D).

Next, a snap-type terminal connector 4 having a convex portion, a concave portion, and a flange portion made of SUS316L was placed on the surface of the support member 1 with the flange portion facing down. Then
From the conductive layer 2 side, a conductive fixture 6 having a convex portion and a flange portion made of SUS316L is passed through the conductive layer 2, the stretched film 7, the adhesive layer 9 and the support member 1, and is connected to a terminal. By fitting (caulking) into the recess from the flange portion side of the tool 4, both were locked (see FIGS. 3 (e) and 3 (f)).

Further, on the lower surface of the flange portion of the conductive fixing member 6, black printing was performed on one side of an aluminum-evaporated polyester film, and an insulating layer 8 provided with an adhesive layer on the opposite side to the printed surface was attached (FIG. 3). (G)).

Thereafter, a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (Technogel manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 was applied, and then cut into 60 mm × 80 mm to prepare a biomedical electrode (see FIG. 3 (h)).

In FIGS. 3A to 3H, between the terminal connector and the support member, between the terminal connector and the conductive fixture, between the conductive fixture and the conductive layer, and between the terminal connector and the conductive layer. There is a space between the layer and the conductive fixture, but this is for the purpose of clarifying each component, and there is actually no space, and each component is in close contact.

The prepared electrode was evaluated as follows.

First, the surface of the conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the electrode 10 was SU
S304 (mirror finish) plate (length x width x thickness = 15
(0 mm × 100 mm × 1 mm).
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a lead wire 13 for measurement was connected to a part of a SUS plate 11 with a crocodile clip 12. Similarly, the lead wire 15 was connected to the electrode terminal connector 4 via the connector 14. Fig. 4
As shown in (d), the oscilloscope 17 was connected to the transmitter 16 and the oscilloscope 17 was connected in parallel with the oscillator 16.

Next, when a current of 0.010 A and 1 kHz is applied to the electrode, the voltage applied between the terminal connector of the electrode and the SUS plate is read by the oscilloscope 17, and the impedance value of the electrode (Ohm's law) is calculated by the following equation (Ohm's law). (Initial value).

| Z | = E / I | Z | is the impedance value (Ω) of the electrode.
Is the voltage value (V) read by the oscilloscope,
I is the current applied to the electrode, 0.010 (A).

Next, the impedance value of the electrode was measured while a load of 3 kg was applied to the terminal connector. Furthermore, the operation of removing the load and measuring was repeated three times, and the measurement was performed seven times in total together with the initial impedance. Table 1 shows the results.

The members used in the examples are summarized. Supporting member: Crosslinked polyethylene foam Stretched film: PET film Conductive layer: Carbon Terminal connector: SUS316L Conductive fixing device: SUS316L Insulating layer: Adhesive layer / aluminum deposition / polyester film / black print layer Conductive adhesive: Technogel Comparative Example 1 Without using a stretched film and a conductive fixture, using a 75 μm thick PET sheet as a support member, and penetrating the conductive layer and the support member with the convex portion of the terminal connector facing the surface of the support member. An electrode was formed in the same manner as in Example 1. This electrode has substantially the same structure as the electrode described in JP-A-7-67842. The obtained electrode was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows the results. Comparative Example 2 Thickness of 75 μm as a support member without using a stretched film
An electrode was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the PET sheet was used. This electrode is disclosed in JP-A-7-678.
It has almost the same structure as the electrode described in JP-A-42. The obtained electrode was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows the results.

Comparative Example 1 is an electrode having no caulking structure using a conductive fixing tool, and Comparative Example 2 is an electrode having a caulking structure but a supporting member having no buffering property. is there.

[0090]

[Table 1]

In Example 1, the impedance value did not change even when the load was repeatedly applied.

In Comparative Example 1, since the terminals were not fixed by the caulking structure, the impedance value changed when a load was repeatedly applied to the terminal portion. Furthermore, the impedance value gradually deteriorated each time the load was applied, and became nearly twice the initial value with the third load.

Comparative Example 2 had a caulking structure, so that the impedance value did not significantly deteriorate even if the number of times was increased, but the value fluctuated due to the load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention and a conventional electrode.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an electrode of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic process sectional view of an electrode of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for measuring the impedance of an electrode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional electrode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional electrode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional electrode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional electrode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support member 2 Conductive layer 3 Conductive adhesive layer 4 Terminal connector 4a, 5a Flange part 5 Fixture 6 Conductive fixture 7 Stretched film 8 Insulating layer 9 Adhesive layer 10 Electrode 11 SUS plate 12 Alligator clip 13 , 15 Lead wire 14 Connector 16 Transmitter 17 Oscilloscope

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) A61N 1/30 A61B 5/04 300J 1/36 17/39 330 F term (reference) 4C053 BB04 BB06 BB22 HH02 HH04 JJ11 JJ32 4C060 KK32

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A support member comprising a non-conductive, flexible substrate having a thickness of 0.3 mm or more and having elasticity, a conductive layer provided on a back surface of the support member, and a conductive layer provided on the conductive layer. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a convex portion, a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion and a terminal connector having a flange at the lower end of the convex portion, and a convex portion capable of locking the terminal connector by fitting into the concave portion of the terminal connector. A conductive fixture having a flange at the lower end of the convex portion, and a terminal connector is provided so that the flange at the lower end of the convex portion is in contact with the surface of the support member; and the conductive fixture is electrically conductive on the convex side. The connector is provided so as to be positioned on the layer side, and the protrusions of the conductive fixture are penetrated through the conductive layer and the support member and are fitted into the recesses of the terminal connector, thereby locking the two components, and the flange portion of the terminal connector. Characterized in that the electrode is indented into the support member and pressed against the support member. 2. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein a stretched resin film is laminated between the support member and the conductive layer. 3. The electrode according to claim 2, wherein the support member and the stretched resin film are laminated via an adhesive. 4. An insulating layer for covering the surface of the flange between the conductive adhesive layer and the flange of the conductive fixing device.
The electrode according to any one of the above. 5. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is a living body electrode.
The electrode according to any one of the above.