JP2018143531A - Electrode for biological information measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode for biological information measurement capable of stabilizing contact with an organism easily by providing liquid object such as electrolyte to the organism.SOLUTION: An electrode 1 for biological information measurement includes an electrode leg 10 having conductivity and a terminal part 20 connected electrically with the electrode leg 10. The electrode measures biological information by causing one edge part of the electrode leg 10 and an organism to contact with each other. The electrode leg 10 includes a through hole 30 having on opening part 30A on one edge side. A capacity variable body 40 having a space S1 communicating with the through hole 30 is arranged continuously on the other edge side of the electrode leg 10. A part of a constitution wall of the capacity variable body 40 can be deformed by receiving a pressing force F from outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode for measuring biological information used when measuring biological information such as an electroencephalogram.

  In recent years, the measurement of various living body information such as pulse waves, electrocardiograms, myoelectrics, body fats, brain waves and the like has increased. At that time, various biological information measuring electrodes have been proposed in order to stably contact the living body. In particular, various devices have been devised for electrodes for measuring electroencephalograms that are attached to the head where hair is present. For example, in the so-called pasteless electroencephalogram electrode measurement that does not use conductive gel that is not easy to handle, electrolysis is generally performed between the skin (scalp) and the electroencephalogram electrode for the purpose of reducing and stabilizing contact resistance and converging polarization for a short time. A solution (such as physiological saline) is applied. An electrode having the electrolyte supply mechanism has been devised.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a biological electrode having a structure for supplying an electrolytic solution to a plurality of electrode legs, and having a structure for allowing the electrolytic solution to flow out from the tip portion of the electrode legs. Patent Document 2 describes an electroencephalogram measurement probe having a structure in which an electrolytic solution is filled in a syringe and the electrolytic solution is oozed out from a porous portion at the tip. The biological information measurement electrodes (biological electrode, electroencephalogram measurement probe) described in any document are expected to improve the contact stability of the electrode to the skin (scalp) by having an electrolyte supply structure. ing.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-2374 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-159813

  However, both of the biological information measurement electrodes described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have a configuration in which it is difficult to adjust the amount of electrolyte supplied to a living body such as the scalp. For this reason, even if these biological information measurement electrodes are actually used, it is assumed that the electrolyte solution is supplied more than expected and it is necessary to perform troublesome work such as cleaning of the application site of the electrolyte solution. It cannot be said that the problem that the contact of the biological information measurement electrode with the scalp (skin) is not stabilized due to the supply of the electrolyte less than the amount is not solved appropriately. In addition, these electrodes for measuring biological information have a complicated structure for supplying an electrolytic solution to a living body such as the scalp. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is a practical structure.

  In view of the current situation, the present invention provides a biological information measuring electrode that can easily stabilize a contact with a living body by providing a liquid such as an electrolyte to a living body (skin such as a scalp is a specific example). The purpose is to provide.

  In one aspect, the present invention provided to solve the above problems includes an electrode leg having conductivity, and a terminal part electrically connected to the electrode leg, and one end part of the electrode leg. A living body information measuring electrode for measuring information on the living body by bringing the electrode leg into contact with a living body, wherein the electrode leg is provided with a through-hole having an opening on the one end side. A capacity changing body having a space communicating with the through hole is continuously provided on the other end side, and at least a part of the constituent wall of the capacity changing body is deformable. It is an electrode for biological information measurement.

  Since the above-described electrode for measuring biological information includes an electrode leg having a through hole and a deformable capacity changing body having a space communicating with the through hole, at least one of the constituent walls of the capacity changing body. When a force is applied to the part, the capacity changing body is deformed. In addition, air (gas) enters and exits between the space in the through hole and the capacity changing body and the outside. For this reason, electrolyte solution can also be suck | inhaled in an through-hole from the opening part of an electrode leg, and the electrolyte solution suck | inhaled from the opening part can also be discharged. As a result, when measuring biological information, a small amount of electrode liquid is sucked into the electrode legs in advance, and a small amount of electrolytic solution can be supplied to the living body (skin) after the biological information measuring electrode is attached. . Therefore, the contact between the biological information measuring electrode and the living body can be easily stabilized.

  In addition, after measuring biological information such as an electroencephalogram, it is also possible to absorb the electrolyte remaining on the living body from the opening on one end side of the through hole. Therefore, the electrolyte solution after measurement can be easily removed from a living body such as skin. Furthermore, since the above-described biological information measuring electrode has a relatively simple structure, it is easy to clean the through holes of the electrode legs. Therefore, it is excellent in maintainability and easy to use repeatedly.

  The biological information measuring electrode preferably includes a plurality of the electrode legs. Since there are a plurality of electrode legs, the living body information measuring electrode can be more stably brought into contact with the living body. Specifically, even if any one of the plurality of electrode legs is not in proper contact with the living body, the other electrode legs can be appropriately in contact with the living body. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of malfunctions in which measurement is not properly performed.

  In the above-described electrode for measuring biological information, it is preferable that a plurality of the electrode legs are connected to the capacitance changing body. Since it is possible to supply the contents from one capacitance changing body to the through holes provided in each of the plurality of electrode legs, a common substance (electrolyte) is supplied from the openings of the plurality of through holes. It can be discharged. Therefore, even when one of the plurality of electrode legs does not function properly due to reasons such as inadequate contact with a living body such as skin, electrolysis is performed from the opening of the electrode legs other than the electrode legs that did not function properly. Liquid or the like can be discharged. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it is possible to more stably reduce the occurrence of malfunctions in which measurement is not properly performed.

  The biological information measurement electrode may include a plurality of the capacity change bodies. In this case, the electrode leg connected to one of the plurality of capacitance changing bodies is different from the electrode leg connected to the other one of the plurality of capacitance changing bodies. May be. By the presence of a plurality of capacity changing bodies, a plurality of types of electrolytes can be mixed on a living body. Alternatively, it is also possible to use for a plurality of uses such that one of a plurality of capacity changing bodies is for supply and the other is for collection. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it may be possible to increase the diversity of measurement. When all of the plurality of capacitance changing bodies are used for a common purpose, it is possible to increase redundancy. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it may be possible to improve the reliability of the biological information measurement electrode.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, it is preferable that the capacitance changing body can reversibly maintain different capacitance states. Specific examples of the states of different capacities include a state where the capacity of the capacity change body is relatively large (first state) and a state where the capacity is relatively small (second state). When the electrolytic solution is contained in the capacity changing body, the supply of the electrolytic solution to the living body is realized by changing the first state to the second state. When the measurement is completed in the second state, the electrolyte solution remaining in the living body can be recovered by returning to the first state. Therefore, by providing the above configuration, it may be possible to improve workability of the entire measurement work.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, the capacitance changing body is located between the electrode leg and the terminal portion, and a distance between the electrode leg and the terminal portion is received by the external pressing force. The capacity changing body may have a shape that changes its capacity when it changes. Since the terminal portion is a portion that makes electrical contact with the external wiring, it is often at a position farthest from the portion that contacts the living body when performing measurement. Therefore, the terminal portion is one of the positions with the highest workability when applying a pressing force to the biological information measurement electrode. Therefore, the workability | operativity which provides the pressing force for changing the capacity | capacitance of a capacity | capacitance change body may improve by providing this structure.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, the capacitance changing body includes an elastic deformation portion that is elastically deformed according to a pressing force from the outside, and the elastic deformation portion is connected to the terminal portion. May be. In such a configuration, the elastically deforming portion corresponds to a part of the structural wall that can be deformed by receiving a pressing force from the outside. By providing the elastically deforming portion and the terminal portion continuously, application of the pressing force to the terminal portion, that is, the deformation of the capacity changing body is caused. Therefore, the workability | operativity which provides pressing force may increase more stably by providing this structure.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, the capacitance changing body includes a cylindrical body made of a rigid body having an outer surface extending in a direction along a protruding direction of the electrode legs, and the cylindrical body and the terminal portion. And an elastically deforming portion that is located between and elastically deforms according to the pressing force from the outside. In such a configuration, the elastically deforming portion corresponds to a part of the structural wall that can be deformed by receiving a pressing force from the outside. On the other hand, the cylindrical body corresponds to a portion that is not a part of the structural wall that can be deformed by receiving a pressing force from the outside. By having such a cylindrical body made of a rigid body, it may be possible to reduce changes in the outer shape between the electrode leg and the terminal portion of the biological information measurement electrode when a pressing force is applied. In this case, the contact state between the living body such as the skin and the biological information measuring electrode is changed due to the application of the pressing force, and it is difficult to cause a problem that the measurement becomes unstable. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it may be possible to reduce the influence of the work of applying the pressing force on the measurement.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, the capacitance changing body is connected to a lid portion made of a plate-like rigid body having a main surface intersecting with the protruding direction of the electrode legs, and an outer peripheral portion of the lid portion. An elastically deformable portion that elastically deforms in response to a pressing force from the outside, and the terminal portion is connected to the lid portion so as to protrude from the main surface of the lid portion. Also good. By having the lid portion connected to the terminal portion, the pressing force is dispersed by the lid portion when the pressing force is applied. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the measurement condition changes due to a large change in the contact state between the electrode leg and the living body such as the skin due to the application of the pressing force. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it may be possible to reduce the influence of the work of applying the pressing force on the measurement.

  In the biological information measuring electrode, the capacitance changing body is located between the electrode leg and the terminal portion, and even if the capacitance of the capacitance changing body changes, the capacitance between the electrode leg and the terminal portion. You may have the supporting member which maintains a relative position. Since the relative position between the terminal portion and the electrode leg is maintained by the support member, the possibility of changing the electrical connection state between the terminal portion and the external wiring due to the operation of applying the pressing force is reduced. Can do. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it may be possible to reduce the influence of the work of applying the pressing force on the measurement. In the case of this configuration, the capacitance of the capacitance changing body is changed by applying a pressing force to a portion other than the terminal portion of the biological information measurement electrode.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the biological information measurement electrode which is easy to provide to living bodies, such as skin, in liquid substances, such as electrolyte solution, and to stabilize a contact with a biological body is provided.

It is a figure explaining the electrode for biological information measurement which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) External view, (b) It is V1-V1 sectional drawing of Fig.1 (a), Comprising: The capacity | capacitance of a capacity | capacitance change body FIG. 5 is a view showing a relatively large state, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V1-V1 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the electrode for biological information measurement which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) Sectional drawing in the state with a comparatively large capacity | capacitance of a capacity | capacitance change body, (b) The capacity | capacitance of a capacity change body is It is sectional drawing of a relatively small state. It is a figure explaining the electrode for biological information measurement which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) Sectional drawing in the state with a relatively large capacity | capacitance of a capacity change body, (b) The capacity | capacitance of a capacity change body is relative FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in a state where the capacitance is small, and (c) a cross-sectional view in another state where the capacitance of the capacitance changing body is relatively small. It is a figure explaining the electrode for biological information measurement which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) Sectional drawing of the state in which the capacity | capacitance of a capacity | capacitance change body is relatively large, (b) The capacity | capacitance of a capacity change body is relative It is sectional drawing of a small state. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the capacity | capacitance change body of the biometric information measurement electrode which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention is relatively large.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a biological information measuring electrode according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 (a) is an external view, and FIG. 1 (b) is a diagram of FIG. It is V1-V1 sectional drawing, and is a figure which shows the state (1st state) where the capacity | capacitance of a capacity | capacitance change body is relatively large, FIG.1 (c) is V1-V1 sectional drawing of Fig.1 (a). It is a figure which shows the state (2nd state) where the capacity | capacitance of a capacity change body is relatively small. 2 and the subsequent cross-sectional views are also cross-sectional views corresponding to the V1-V1 cross section of FIG. 1A, similar to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the biological information measuring electrode (hereinafter referred to as biological electrode 1) according to the first embodiment has a plurality of conductive electrodes (FIG. 1A). ) Includes 5) electrode legs 10 and terminal portions 20 electrically connected to the electrode legs 10. The terminal portion 20 is made of a conductive metal material. When the biological electrode 1 is used, one end of the electrode leg 10 (end on the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side in FIG. 1) is brought into contact with a living body (not shown) such as a scalp skin. The external information (not shown) is connected to the terminal unit 20 to measure the biological information. Each of the plurality of electrode legs 10 is provided with a through hole 30 having an opening 30A on one end (end on the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side) side, and the other end (Z1- A capacitance changing body 40 having a space S1 (see FIG. 1B) communicating with the through hole 30 is continuously provided on the Z2 direction Z2 side end. Corresponding to the plurality of electrode legs 10 being connected to the capacitance changing body 40, each of the plurality of through holes 30 communicates with the space S1.

  A part of the wall portion (constituting wall) constituting the capacitance changing body 40 can be deformed by receiving a pressing force from the outside (an example is indicated by F in FIG. 1C). Specifically, the capacitance changing body 40 includes a cylindrical body 40H made of a rigid body whose outer surface extends in a direction along the protruding direction of the electrode leg 10 (Z1-Z2 direction), and the cylindrical body 40H and the terminal portion. And an elastic deformation portion 40E that is elastically deformed according to a pressing force F from the outside. In the bioelectrode 1 shown in FIG. 1, the five electrode legs 10 and the portion where the electrode legs 10 of the capacitance changing body 40 are connected to each other and the cylindrical body 40H are configured as an integral member made of a conductive carbon material. Yes. The elastic deformation portion 40E is made of a rubber material such as silicone rubber, and the tubular body 40H and the elastic deformation portion 40E and the terminal portion 20 and the tubular body 40H are both bonded with an adhesive. Yes. Note that the conductive cylindrical body 40H and the conductive terminal portion 20 are electrically connected by a wiring (not shown).

  Since the state (first state) shown in FIG. 1B is a state before the pressing force F on the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side is applied from the outside, the capacity of the capacity changing body 40 (the volume of the space S1). ) Is relatively large. Specifically, the elastically deforming portion 40E is in a conical shape protruding toward the Z1-Z2 direction Z2. In FIG. 1B, in the first state, the electrolytic solution L1 is contained in the space S1 of the capacitance changing body 40. In addition, in FIG.1 (b), although the state where the electrolyte solution L1 is filled with the space S1 is illustrated, it does not restrict to this state. For example, the electrolytic solution L1 may be present in a part of the space S1, or the electrolytic solution L1 may be present only in the through hole 30 of the electrode leg 10 without the electrolytic solution L1 in the space S1, for example.

  The inner wall defining the through hole 30 and the space S1 of the electrode leg 10 preferably has water repellency. The provision of water repellency may be realized by the member being made of a fluorine material or the like, or may be realized by a surface treatment such as a triazine treatment or a treatment with a fluorine material. Thus, since the inner wall of the through hole 30 has water repellency, even if the electrolytic solution L1 is contained in the capacity changing body 40 in the first state, the electrolytic solution L1 does not enter the through hole 30. it can. For this reason, the electrolytic solution L1 can be fed into the through-hole 30 only by an external pressing force to the capacity changing body 40, and the electrolytic solution L1 naturally travels through the through-hole 30 to cause unnecessary liquid dripping. Can be prevented.

  When a pressing force F is applied from the outside to the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side with respect to the terminal portion 20 from the first state shown in FIG. 1B, the terminal portion 20 becomes Z1 as shown in FIG. The distance between the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20 changes due to displacement in the −Z2 direction Z1 side. As a result, the capacity changing body 40 is deformed, and the capacity of the capacity changing body 40 becomes smaller than the first state (second state), and the capacity changes. Specifically, the elastically deforming portion 40E is in a conical shape protruding toward the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side. Thus, the capacity of the capacity changing body 40 is reduced by the transition from the first state to the second state, and the volume of the electrolytic solution L1 corresponding to the reduced capacity becomes the opening of the through hole 30 of the electrode leg 10. It is discharged from 30A. In the first embodiment, the inner wall that defines the through hole 30 and the space S1 has water repellency as described above, and therefore, the discharge amount is excellent in controllability when discharging the electrolytic solution L1.

  By having the cylindrical body 40H made of such a rigid body, the external shape change between the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20 in the biological electrode 1 when the pressing force F is applied is reduced. Therefore, the contact state between the living body and the living body electrode 1 is changed due to the application of the pressing force F, and the problem that the measurement becomes unstable is unlikely to occur.

  In addition, since the bioelectrode 1 faces the living body on the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side in use, the terminal portion 20 connected to the elastically deforming portion 40E is positioned most distally from the living body in use. Therefore, when changing the capacity of the capacity changing body 40, it is most workable to apply an external force to the terminal portion 20 to deform the elastic deformation portion 40E.

  Further, the capacity changing body 40 can reversibly maintain different capacity states (the first state shown in FIG. 1B and the second state shown in FIG. 1C). Specifically, the elastically deforming portion 40E of the capacitance changing body 40 is a circular diaphragm, and protrudes in the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side shown in FIG. 1 (b) and in FIG. 1 (c). It can be reversibly changed by applying an appropriate external force to any of the forms protruding in the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side shown.

  Preferably, a rubber material such as silicone rubber is used as the elastically deforming portion 40E, and a pressing force F is applied to the terminal portion 20 from the outside to deform at least a part of the constituent wall of the capacity changing body 40. However, it is not limited to this. For example, instead of a rubber material, a shape memory alloy thin plate may be used to form a deformable structural wall. At this time, it is possible to reversibly maintain the first state and the second state by the action of heat. For example, instead of a rubber material, a deformable structural wall may be used by using a thin plate of a polymer actuator (such as an ion conduction actuator or a conductive polymer actuator). At this time, it is possible to reversibly maintain the first state and the second state by applying a potential.

  Moreover, as will be described next, the biological electrode 1 can perform a suction process that reaches the first state shown in FIG. First, the capacitance changing body 40 of the biological electrode 1 is in the second state shown in FIG. 1C, and the electrolytic solution L1 is not contained in the space S1. In this state, if the end including the opening 30A of the through hole 30 is immersed in the electrolytic solution L1 contained in a beaker or the like and an external force on the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side is applied to the terminal portion 20, the opening 30A Then, the electrolyte solution L1 is sucked, and the electrolyte solution L1 is introduced into the space S1. Thus, the first state shown in FIG. Thus, in the biological electrode 1, the electrolyte L1 can be easily stored in the capacity changing body 40.

  Further, when an external force on the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side is applied to the terminal portion 20 connected to the elastically deforming portion 40E of the capacity change body 40 in the second state shown in FIG. It can be returned to the state. Therefore, after discharging the electrolytic solution L1 from the opening 30A of the through hole 30 of the electrode leg 10 and measuring biological information such as brain waves, the capacitance changing body 40 is returned to the first state and discharged first. The electrolytic solution L1 can be returned to the space S1. Since the electrolytic solution L1 can be easily collected in the living body electrode 1 in this manner, the work for removing the electrolytic solution L1 after the measurement is facilitated, and the workability of the work of measuring biological information is improved.

  Furthermore, when an external force (similar to the pressing force F) on the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side is applied to the terminal portion 20 of the bioelectrode 1 in which the measurement is completed and the electrolytic solution L1 is collected therein, FIG. The recovered electrolyte solution L1 can be discharged in the second state shown in 1 (c). Thereafter, an external force is appropriately applied in a state where the end portion including the opening 30A of the through hole 30 is immersed in the electrolytic solution L1, and the capacitance changing body 40 is repeatedly passed through the first state and the second state. The inner wall defining the hole 30 and the space S1 can be cleaned. Therefore, the bioelectrode 1 can be used repeatedly. In addition, since the inner wall which defines the through-hole 30 and space S1 has water repellency as mentioned above, there is little contamination of these inner walls. Therefore, the bioelectrode 1 is easy to clean and has high durability.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a biological information measuring electrode according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which the capacity of the capacity changing body is relatively large (first state). FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the capacity of the capacity change body is relatively small (second state).

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the biological information measuring electrode (hereinafter referred to as biological electrode 1A) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different in the structure of the capacitance changing body 40, but the other parts. Has the same structure as the bioelectrode 1. Therefore, only the capacity changing body 40 will be described below.

  The capacitance changing body 40 includes a lid 40L made of a plate-like rigid body having a main surface (consisting of a plane parallel to the XY plane) intersecting with the protruding direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the electrode leg 10. An elastic deformation portion 40F disposed between the lid portion 40L and the electrode leg 10 and connected to the outer periphery of the lid portion 40L. And the terminal part 20 is connected with the cover part 40L so that it may protrude in the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side from the main surface of the cover part 40L. Accordingly, the capacitance changing body 40 is positioned between the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20.

  Similarly to the terminal portion 20, the lid portion 40L is made of a conductive metal material, and the portion of the capacitance changing body 40 to which the electrode legs 10 are connected is made of a conductive carbon material. And the part to which the electrode leg 10 in the capacity | capacitance change body 40 is provided in a row by the wiring which is not shown in figure and the terminal part 20 are electrically connected.

  When a pressing force F is applied to the terminal portion 20 in the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side from the first state shown in FIG. 2A, as shown in FIG. The distance between the terminal portion 20 and the electrode leg 10 (the length in the Z1-Z2 direction) changes short due to bending. As the distance becomes shorter, the capacity of the capacity changing body 40 decreases. As a result, as in the case of the bioelectrode 1, a volume of the electrolytic solution L 1 corresponding to the reduced capacity is discharged from the opening 30 </ b> A of the through hole 30 of the electrode leg 10. In addition, although the elastic deformation part 40F of 2nd Embodiment is suitably comprised using the rubber material which has elasticity, it is not restricted to this. For example, a bellows body having a bellows shape may be used as the elastic deformation portion 40F, and the distance between the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20 may be changed using a bellows-shaped expansion / contraction function.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, when it has the cover part 40L provided in a row by the terminal part 20, when the pressing force F is provided with respect to the terminal part 20, the pressing force F is disperse | distributed by the cover part 40L. . For this reason, the contact state between the electrode leg 10 and the living body greatly varies due to the application of the pressing force F, so that a problem that the measurement conditions change is less likely to occur. Therefore, by providing such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the influence of the work of applying the pressing force F on the measurement.

  In the bioelectrode 1A, when the pressing force F is released from the second state shown in FIG. 2B, the elastic deformation portion 40F is elastically recovered and the shape of the first state shown in FIG. 2A is obtained. The structure which returns to (2) may be sufficient, and the structure which provides holding members, such as a clip separately, and maintains a 2nd state may be sufficient.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a biological information measuring electrode according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the capacity of the capacity changer is relatively large (first state). FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the capacity of the capacity change body is relatively small (second state), and FIG. 3C is a view in which the capacity of the capacity change body is relatively low. It is sectional drawing of another small state (3rd state).

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the biometric information measurement electrode (hereinafter referred to as bioelectrode 1B) according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the structure of the capacitance change body 40, like the bioelectrode 1A. Since it is different from the biological electrode 1, only the capacity changing body 40 will be described below.

  The capacity changing body 40 of the biological electrode 1B includes an elastic deformation portion 40G except for a portion where the plurality of electrode legs 10 are connected, and the terminal portion 20 is connected to the elastic deformation portion 40G. A portion where the plurality of electrode legs 10 in the capacitance changing body 40 are connected to each other and the terminal portion 20 are electrically connected by a wiring (not shown).

  When a pressing force F is applied to the terminal portion 20 in the Z1-Z2 direction Z1 side from the first state shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. The distance between the terminal portion 20 and the electrode leg 10 changes short due to crushing in the −Z2 direction, and the capacitance of the capacitance changing body 40 decreases. As a result, as in the case of the bioelectrode 1, a volume of the electrolytic solution L 1 corresponding to the reduced capacity is discharged from the opening 30 </ b> A of the through hole 30 of the electrode leg 10.

  Moreover, since the part other than the part by the side of Z1-Z2 direction Z1 in the capacity change body 40 consists of the elastic deformation part 40G, the bioelectrode 1B can also deform the elastic deformation part 40G by the pressing force from various directions. it can. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the pressing force F is applied from the direction inclined from the Z1-Z2 direction to the X1-X2 direction, so that the capacity changing body 40 has a relatively smaller capacity than the first state. The state (third state) is reached. At this time, the elastically deforming portion 40G is deformed so that the distance between the terminal portion 20 and the electrode leg 10 becomes long, but the electrolyte solution L1 having a volume corresponding to the reduced capacity passes through the electrode leg 10. It is discharged from the opening 30A of the hole 30.

  In addition, when changing the capacity | capacitance of the capacity | capacitance change body 40 by directly applying the pressing force F not to the terminal part 20 but to the elastic deformation part 40G, the terminal part 20 is in an indefinite direction with the deformation of the elastic deformation part 40G. There is a possibility of displacement. When such a displacement of the terminal portion 20 affects the measurement of biological information, a member that holds the relative position of the terminal portion 20 with respect to the electrode leg 10 may be prepared separately.

  As described above, since the capacity changing body 40 of the biological electrode 1B has a simple structure, the biological electrode 1B can be easily applied to an application that is used only once and is not reused, for example.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a biological information measuring electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a capacitance variable body of the biological information measuring electrode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the capacitance of the biometric information measuring electrode according to the fourth embodiment is relatively small (see FIG. 4B). It is sectional drawing of a 2nd state.

  In the biological information measuring electrode (hereinafter referred to as biological electrode 1 </ b> C) according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance changing body 40 has a support member 50. That is, the support member 50 is positioned between the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20, and even if the capacitance changing body 40 is deformed and changed in shape by the external pressing force F, the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion are changed. 20 to maintain a relative position. Specifically, the support member 50 extends from the portion of the capacitance changing body 40 where the electrode legs 10 are continuously provided to the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side and is provided continuously to the terminal portion 20. The support member 50 also has a function of electrically connecting the electrode leg 10 and the terminal portion 20. In the portion of the support member 50 that passes through the elastic deformation portion 40G, the elastic deformation portion 40G is in elastic contact with the support member 50 to ensure airtightness on the Z1-Z2 direction Z2 side of the space S1.

  Since the relative position between the terminal portion 20 and the electrode leg 10 is maintained by the support member 50, even if a pressing force F as shown in FIG. It is unlikely that the electrical connection state between the external wiring and the external wiring fluctuates. Therefore, in the biological electrode 1C, it is possible to reduce the influence of the work of applying the pressing force F on the measurement of biological information.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state (first state) in which the capacity of the capacity changing body of the biological information measuring electrode according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is relatively large.

  In the bioelectrode (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) described in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, a configuration in which one space S1 formed by the capacitance changing body 40 is connected to a plurality of electrode legs 10 is provided. However, it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, the biological information measuring electrode according to the fifth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as biological electrode 1 </ b> D) is provided with an elastic deformation portion 40 </ b> P corresponding to each of the plurality of electrode legs 10. It has become. In the biological electrode 1D, the electrolyte solution L1 is contained in the spaces (S11, S12, S13) formed by the respective elastic deformation portions 40P. In the case of such a configuration, even when one of the elastically deforming portions 40P breaks due to some trouble and the internal electrolyte L1 flows out, the electrolyte L1 in the remaining elastically deformable portion 40P is the bioelectrode. Since it remains in 1D, the electrolyte solution L1 can be supplied to the living body during use. Therefore, the biological electrode 1D having such a configuration has high reliability.

  Although this embodiment and its application example were demonstrated above, this invention is not limited to these examples. For example, those in which the person skilled in the art appropriately added, deleted, or changed the design of the above-described embodiments or application examples thereof, or combinations of the features of each embodiment as appropriate are also included in the present invention. As long as the gist is provided, it is included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the material of the conductive portion is not limited. The electroconductive part in the electrode leg 10 and the capacity change body 40 may be comprised from the electroconductive metal material. The terminal portion 20 and the lid portion 40L may be made of a conductive carbon material.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D: Bioelectrode 10: Electrode leg 20: Terminal part 30: Through hole 30A: Opening 40: Capacity changing body 40E, 40F, 40G, 40P: Elastic deformation part 40H: Cylindrical body 40L : Lid 50: Support member F: Pressing force L1: Electrolytes S1, S11, S12, S13: Space

Claims (10)

Conductive electrode legs; and
A terminal portion electrically connected to the electrode leg,
A biological information measuring electrode for measuring information on the living body by bringing one end of the electrode leg into contact with the living body,
The electrode leg is provided with a through hole having an opening on the one end side,
On the other end side of the electrode leg, a capacitance changing body having a space communicating with the through hole is continuously provided,
An electrode for measuring biological information, wherein at least a part of a wall of the capacitance changing body is deformable.   The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the electrode legs.   The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the electrode legs are connected to the capacitance changing body. A plurality of the capacity change bodies;
The electrode leg connected to one of the plurality of capacitance changing bodies is different from the electrode leg connected to the other one of the plurality of capacitance changing bodies. The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 2 or claim 3.   5. The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance changing body can reversibly maintain different capacitance states. The capacitance changing body is located between the electrode leg and the terminal portion,
The capacitance changing body has a shape in which the capacitance changes when the distance between the electrode leg and the terminal changes due to an external pressing force. The biological information measuring electrode according to any one of 5. The capacity changing body has an elastically deforming portion that is elastically deformed according to the pressing force from the outside,
The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 6, wherein the elastic deformation portion is connected to the terminal portion.   The capacitance changing body is located between the cylindrical body and the terminal portion, and is formed of a rigid body having an outer surface extending in a direction along the protruding direction of the electrode legs. The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 6, further comprising an elastically deforming portion that is elastically deformed in accordance with a pressing force. The capacity changing body is:
A lid portion made of a plate-like rigid body having a main surface intersecting with the protruding direction of the electrode legs;
An elastically deformable portion that is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the lid portion and elastically deforms according to the pressing force from the outside;
The biological information measuring electrode according to claim 6, wherein the terminal portion is connected to the lid portion so as to protrude from the main surface of the lid portion. The capacitance changing body is located between the electrode leg and the terminal portion,
The biological information according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a support member that maintains a relative position between the electrode leg and the terminal portion even when the capacitance of the capacitance changing body changes. Measuring electrode.