JP6235089B2 - Biological flexible circuit board with protective layer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, living body electrodes that detect weak current generated in a living body by contacting the living body skin have been used. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, this type of electrode is formed by attaching an electrode (1) to the skin surface (M) of a human body and attaching a lead wire (4) to the electrode (1) by a clip (3). ) And this lead wire (4) is used by connecting it to a measuring device such as an electrocardiogram. However, in order to connect the electrode (1) to the measuring device, the clip (3) and the lead wire (4) must be used, so that not only the number of parts is increased, but also the connection work is complicated.

  In order to solve this problem, the electrode and the lead wire may be integrally formed on one flexible circuit board (for example, see Patent Document 2). FIG. 7 of the present application is a perspective view illustrating an example of the biological flexible circuit board 100 in which the detection unit 110 and the flat cable (leader) 130 are configured by a single flexible circuit board. As shown in the figure, the biological flexible circuit board 100 has a circular electrode 103 formed at the center of a circular detection unit 110 and a terminal connection unit 140 at the tip of a flat cable 130 connected to the outer periphery of the detection unit 110. The flat cable 130 is connected so that one connection pattern 141 formed on the terminal connection portion 140 and the electrode 103 and between the other connection pattern 141 and the shield conductive layer (not shown) formed on the detection portion 110 are connected. Two circuit patterns (the description is omitted because an insulating layer is formed on the circuit pattern) are formed thereon. If comprised in this way, since the mounting | wearing will be completed only by affixing the detection part 110 on the skin surface of a biological body, and connecting the terminal connection part 140 to a measuring instrument, attachment work is easy and there are also few number of parts. That's it.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-192707 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 01-65008

  However, when the biological flexible circuit board 100 is attached to a living body, the portion of the flat cable 130 contacts or separates from the surface of the living body, but the surface of the flat cable 130 is smooth, so when the body is in contact with the living body. There is a problem that the skin adheres easily to the skin and the evaporation of the sweat is hindered and the sweat becomes sticky, resulting in discomfort. Further, since the flat cable 130 is thin, there is a risk that the skin may be damaged (or feel that it has been damaged) when the edge portions on both sides contact the living body. These problems are particularly problematic when living with the living body flexible circuit board 100 and a measuring device (for example, an electrocardiograph) attached to the living body for a long time (for example, 24 hours, several days, several weeks). It becomes.

  In order to solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 8, a living body in which flexible foam sheets 150 and 151 having substantially the same dimensions and shape as the flat cable 130 are attached to both surfaces of the flat cable 130 with an adhesive. A flexible circuit board 100-2 is also conceivable (however, the biological flexible circuit board 100-2 is not a prior art). With this configuration, since the surfaces of the foam sheets 150 and 151 are rough and rough, when the flat cable 130 comes into contact with the surface of the living body, it does not adhere to the skin and does not stick, and sweating occurs. Uninhibited and sweaty. Further, since the thickness of the flat cable 130 is increased and the foamed sheets 150 and 151 are not hard, there is no risk of damaging the skin even if both side portions of the flat cable 130 come into contact with the living body.

  However, in the case of the biological flexible circuit board 100-2 shown in FIG. 8, since the foam sheets 150 and 151 are attached to both sides of the flat cable 130 with an adhesive, the adhesive layer is exposed on both sides of the flat cable 130, For this reason, when both sides of the flat cable 130 come into contact with the living body, the adhesive touches the living body and adheres lightly, and a so-called stickiness is generated. This problem also becomes a problem, particularly when the living body flexible circuit board 100-2 is attached to the living body for a long period of time, and the discomfort increases. In addition, since the foam sheets 150 and 151 are attached to the flat cable 130 with an adhesive, a dedicated attaching jig is required, which increases the manufacturing cost, and when the foam sheets 150 and 151 are attached with the adhesive, the sticking shift occurs. There is also a risk of inconvenience such as the occurrence of air bubbles and bubbles entering between the flat cable 130 and the foam sheets 150 and 151.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and its purpose is to reduce the number of parts, and it does not adhere to the skin and does not stick to the skin even when it comes into contact with the surface of the living body. An object of the present invention is to provide a biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer that is easy to manufacture and does not cause discomfort due to stickiness of the agent.

A biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a signal generated from a living body attached to a living body, a flat cable that extracts a signal detected by the detection unit to the outside, and a distal end of the flat cable. An electrode is formed on the upper surface of the detection unit, a circuit pattern connected to the electrode is formed on the upper surface of the flat cable, and an upper surface of the terminal connection unit is formed on the upper surface of the terminal connection unit. A biological flexible circuit board formed with a connection pattern connected to the circuit pattern, wherein a shield pattern is formed on the lower surface of the flat cable, and a shield conductive layer is formed on the lower surface of the detection unit. , the shielding conductive layer, wherein connected to the shield pattern formed on the lower surface of the flat cable, formed in the flat cable A shield pattern is formed on the upper surface of the circuit pattern through an insulating layer, and another connection pattern connected to the shield pattern formed on the upper surface of the flat cable is formed on the upper surface of the terminal connection portion. A shield pattern and a conductive layer for shielding formed on the lower surface of the cable are connected to the shield pattern on the upper surface side and the other connection pattern through a through hole, and a foam protective layer is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the flat cable. Is formed. Since the surface of the foamed protective layer is rough, it does not adhere to the skin even when it comes into contact with the surface of the living body, sweating is not prevented, and sweat does not stick to the skin surface. Therefore, the touch is good.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the foam protective layers formed on both front and back surfaces of the flat cable are formed up to a position reaching the full width of both front and back surfaces of the flat cable .

  According to the biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer according to the present invention, the number of components can be reduced, and even if it contacts the surface of the living body, it does not adhere to the skin and does not stick, and there is no fear of damaging the skin. There is no discomfort due to stickiness, and manufacturing is easy.

1 is a perspective view of a biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer (biological electrode plate with a protective layer) 1-1. FIG. It is a cross-sectional enlarged perspective view of a flat cable 31 portion. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing a state before forming foam protective layers 51 and 53 on the flat cable 31. It is a general | schematic expanded sectional view which shows the foaming agent 60, Fig.4 (a) has shown the state before foaming, FIG.4 (b) has shown after foaming. It is a cross-sectional enlarged perspective view of a flat cable 31-2 portion. It is a perspective view of the flexible circuit board with a protective layer (biological electrode board with a protective layer) 1-2. 1 is a perspective view of a biological flexible circuit board 100. FIG. It is a perspective view of flexible circuit board 100-2 for living organisms.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer (hereinafter referred to as “biological electrode plate with a protective layer”) 1-1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the AA cross section of the biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer includes a detection unit 11 that is attached to a living body and detects a signal generated from the living body, and a flat cable 31 that extracts a signal detected by the detection unit 11 to the outside. It comprises. In the following description, “upper” means the surface side where the electrode 13 shown in FIG. 1 is exposed, and “lower” means the opposite side.

  As the flexible circuit board 21 (see FIG. 2) constituting the base material of the biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) film, a polyimide (PI) film, Various flexible synthetic resin films such as polyetherimide (PEI) film are used.

  The detection unit 11 forms a circular electrode 13 at the center of the upper surface of the circular flexible circuit board 21, and prints a conductive layer for shielding (not shown) around the electrode 13 and the entire lower surface of the flexible circuit board 21. The upper and lower shield conductive layers are electrically connected by through holes, and the insulating layer 15 is formed on the surfaces of the upper and lower shield conductive layers.

  A terminal connection portion 40 is provided at the tip of the flat cable 31, and two connection patterns 41 are formed on the terminal connection portion 40. The connection pattern 41 and the electrode 13 are connected by a circuit pattern 33 (see FIG. 2) formed on the flat cable 31, and the other connection pattern 41 and the shield conductive layer are formed on the flat cable 31. The circuit pattern (shield pattern) 37 (see FIG. 2) is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, at the center of the upper surface of the flexible circuit board 21 constituting the base material of the flat cable 31, a linear circuit pattern 33 that connects between one connection pattern 41 and the electrode 13 is formed as described above. Is formed. The circuit pattern 33 is configured by screen printing a conductive paste formed by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste. As the conductive powder for the conductive paste, other conductive powder such as carbon powder may be used (the same applies to each circuit pattern below).

  An insulating layer 35 is formed on the circuit pattern 33. The insulating layer 35 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31. The insulating layer 35 is configured by screen printing a resin coating paste. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste.

  A circuit pattern (shield pattern) 37 that connects the other connection pattern 41 and the shield conductive layer is formed on substantially the entire top surface of the insulating layer 35. Similarly to the circuit pattern 33, the circuit pattern 37 is configured by screen-printing a conductive paste obtained by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste.

  An insulating layer 39 is formed on the circuit pattern 37. As with the insulating layer 35, the insulating layer 39 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31. The insulating layer 39 is configured by screen printing a resin coating paste. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste.

  On the other hand, a circuit pattern (shield pattern) 43 is formed on substantially the entire lower surface of the flexible circuit board 21 constituting the base of the flat cable 31. The circuit pattern 43 is connected to a shield conductive layer formed on the lower surface of the detection unit 11, and is electrically connected to the shield conductive layer on the upper surface side, the circuit pattern 37, and the connection pattern 41 through a through hole. Similarly to the circuit pattern 37, the circuit pattern 43 is configured by screen-printing a conductive paste obtained by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste.

  Further, an insulating layer 45 is formed on the entire lower surface of the circuit pattern 43. The insulating layer 45 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31, similarly to the insulating layer 39. The insulating layer 45 is configured by screen printing a resin coating paste. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste. The state at this time is shown in FIG.

  In the present invention, the foam protective layer 51 is further formed on substantially the entire upper surface (surface) of the insulating layer 39, and the foam protective layer 53 is formed on the substantially entire lower surface (surface) of the insulating layer 45. Both the foam protective layers 51 and 53 are configured by thermally expanding the foaming agent in the coating paste by heating after screen-printing the resin coating paste, thereby forming a large number of cavities. . In this example, a coating paste in which a foaming agent is dispersed in a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane or epoxy is dissolved in a solvent is used. As the foaming agent, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), a foaming agent 60 in which a foaming material 63 capable of gasification or gas generation at a predetermined temperature is enclosed in a thermoplastic resin outer shell 61 is used. Yes. The outer shell 61 is preferably a thermoplastic resin and has a gas barrier property. The foamed material 63 is preferably a substance that can be gasified or gas generated by heating, and further a substance that is gasified at a temperature lower than the softening point of the material forming the outer shell 61.

  3 is applied to the upper surface (front surface) of the insulating layer 39 and the lower surface (front surface) of the insulating layer 45 in the state shown in FIG. Is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin. As a result, the foam material 63 itself is gasified or thermally expanded (foamed) by the pyrolysis gas of the foam material 63, and the expanded outer shell 65 becomes hollow 67 as shown in FIG. The hollow portion is formed, and the solvent is volatilized and solidified from the coating paste to form the foam protective layers 51 and 53. The thickness of the foam protective layers 51 and 53 can be varied by adjusting the thickness of the coating paste and the amount of foaming during printing.

  As an actual manufacturing method, a plurality of sets of electrodes 13, conductive layers for shielding, circuit patterns 33, 37, 43, insulating layers 15, 35, 39, 45, connection patterns 41, and foam protection are provided on a large flexible circuit board 21. The layers 51, 53, etc. are formed by screen printing or the like, and then the flexible circuit board 21 is cut into the outer shape of the detection unit 11, the flat cable 31, and the terminal connection unit 40 for each product, thereby making a large number of individual products at once What is necessary is just to obtain the biological electrode plate 1-1 with the protective layer made.

  As described above, the biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer includes the detection unit 11 that is attached to a living body and detects a signal generated from the living body, and the flat cable 31 that extracts the signal detected by the detection unit 11 to the outside. Then, on the surface of the flat cable 31, the foamed protective layers 51 and 53 having a high heat insulating effect are formed by heating the resin coating paste to thermally expand the foaming agent in the coating paste to form a hollow. Therefore, even if the flat cable 31 is brought into contact with the surface of the living body, the foamed protective layers 51 and 53 are rough, so that they do not adhere to the skin and do not stick to each other. There is no. Therefore, the touch is good. In addition, the foamed protective layers 51 and 53 after application and drying (solvent volatilization) are not sticky and do not cause discomfort due to stickiness. Further, since the foam protective layers 51 and 53 are formed by applying and heating the application paste, the manufacture can be performed easily and reliably. Further, since the foam protective layers 51 and 53 are thick, the insulating effect is high.

  In particular, in the biomedical electrode plate 1-1 with the protective layer, since the foam protective layers 51 and 53 are formed on the portion of the flat cable 31, the portion of the flat cable 31 that frequently contacts and detaches from the living body is frequently placed on the surface of the living body. Even if it comes into contact with the skin, it does not adhere to the skin, feels good, there is no fear of damaging the skin, and there is no discomfort due to stickiness, so that the effects of the present invention can be exhibited particularly effectively.

  Moreover, in this biomedical electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer, since the foam protective layers 51 and 53 are formed to the position which reaches the full width of both the front and back surfaces of the flat cable 31, the thickness of the flat cable 31 is increased. Even when both sides come into contact with the living body, the risk of damaging the skin (or the risk of feeling damaged) can be reliably prevented.

  Moreover, in this biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer, all the layer formation processes of the circuit patterns 33, 37, 43, the insulating layers 35, 39, 45, and the foam protective layers 51, 53 are screen printed (screen printing machine). Therefore, the manufacturing process can be automated, and a dedicated attaching jig required for attaching the foam sheets 150 and 151 to the flat cable 130 with an adhesive in FIG. Yes. Further, in FIG. 8, there is no inconvenience that a misalignment or bubbles that may occur when the foam sheets 150 and 151 are attached to the flat cable 130 with an adhesive, and the occurrence of defects can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the shield conductive layers provided in the circuit patterns (shield patterns) 37 and 43 and the detection unit 11 are provided in order to prevent noise from entering the circuit pattern 33 and the electrodes 13. Depending on the case, it is not necessarily provided (the same applies to the following embodiments).

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the flat cable 31-2 portion of the biological electrode plate 1-2 with a protective layer according to another embodiment of the present invention (showing the same cross-sectional portion as FIG. 2). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the biological electrode plate 1-2 with a protective layer. In the biological electrode plate with a protective layer 1-2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in the biological electrode plate with a protective layer 1-1 shown in FIGS. A subscript “−2” is attached to each code). Note that matters other than those described below are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

  In this biomedical electrode plate 1-2 with a protective layer, printing is performed only on the upper surface side of the flexible circuit board 21-2 serving as a base material, whereby the printing configuration differs from that of the flexible circuit board 21. Yes. That is, the biological electrode plate 1-1 with a protective layer is configured to be printed on both sides of the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible circuit board 21, whereas the biological electrode plate 1-2 with a protective layer is an upper surface of the flexible circuit board 21-2. Only one side is printed. Therefore, the foam protective layer 51-2 on the flat cable 31-2 is also formed only on one surface (the surface side where the electrode portion 13-2 is exposed).

  And as shown in FIG. 5, the circuit pattern (shield pattern) 43-2 is formed in the substantially whole upper surface of the flexible circuit board 21-2 which comprises the base material of the flat cable 31-2. The circuit pattern 43-2 is configured by screen-printing a conductive paste formed by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste.

  An insulating layer 45-2 is formed on the entire top surface of the circuit pattern 43-2. The insulating layer 45-2 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31-2. The insulating layer 45-2 is configured by screen printing a resin coating paste. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste.

  In the center of the upper surface of the insulating layer 45-2, a circuit pattern 33-2 is formed to connect one connection pattern 41-2 and the electrode 13-2. The circuit pattern 33-2 is configured by screen-printing a conductive paste obtained by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste.

  An insulating layer 35-2 is formed on the circuit pattern 33-2. The insulating layer 35-2 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31-2. The insulating layer 35-2 is configured by screen-printing a resin coating paste in the same manner as the insulating layer 45-2. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste.

  A circuit pattern (shield pattern) 37-2 for connecting the other connection pattern 41-2 and the shield conductive layer is formed on substantially the entire top surface of the insulating layer 35-2. Similarly to the circuit pattern 33-2, the circuit pattern 37-2 is configured by screen-printing a conductive paste obtained by mixing conductive powder in a resin coating paste. In this example, silver powder is used as the conductive powder, and in this example, a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, phenol, etc. dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste, thereby forming a silver paste. The circuit pattern 37-2 and the circuit pattern 43-2 are electrically connected at the terminal connection portion 40-2.

  An insulating layer 39-2 is formed on the circuit pattern 37-2. The insulating layer 39-2 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire length and the entire width of the flat cable 31 in the same manner as the insulating layer 35-2. The insulating layer 39-2 is configured by screen printing a resin coating paste. In this example, a resist material in which a resin material such as urethane, epoxy, or phenol is dissolved in a solvent is used as the coating paste.

  A foam protective layer 51-2 is formed on substantially the entire top surface of the insulating layer 39-2. The material and forming method of the foam protective layer 51-2 are the same as those in the above example.

  In this manner, the circuit patterns 33-2, 37-2, 43-2 and the foam protective layer 51-2 may be formed on one surface of the flexible circuit board 21-2. Further, the number of circuit patterns may be one, three or more, and a plurality of patterns may be provided in parallel on the same surface. In the above example, the insulating layer is formed on the circuit pattern and the foam protective layer is formed thereon. However, the insulating layer may be omitted by making the foam protective layer also serve as the insulating layer. In the above example, the foam protective layer is formed over the entire width of the flat cables 31 and 31-2. However, in some cases, the foam protective layer may be formed over a part of the width instead of the full width. In the above example, the foam protective layer is formed over substantially the entire length of the flat cables 31 and 31-2. However, in some cases, it may be formed on a part of the flat cables 31 and 31-2 in the longitudinal direction.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims and the specification and drawings. Is possible. Note that any shape, structure, or material not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are exhibited. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the living body electrode plates 1-1 and 1-2 with the protective layer are configured by the one detection unit 11 or 11-2 and the one flat cable 31 or 31-2. A plurality of detection units and a plurality of flat cables may be integrally provided on the layered biological electrode plate. The biological electrode plate with a protective layer may have various other shapes, and the biological electrode plate with a protective layer may be provided with parts for performing various functions other than the detection unit and the flat cable.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which utilized this invention for the biological electrode board with a protective layer was shown as a biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer, this invention may be applied to other various biological circuit boards. . Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to various types of circuit boards other than those for living bodies (that is, flexible circuit boards with a protective layer that do not have a portion in contact with living bodies). In this case, the foam protective layer has a function as an insulating material, a function as an impact absorbing material, and a function as a heat insulating material.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the foam protective layer was formed in the surface of a flat cable, you may form a foam protective layer in the part which may touch the biological body on circuit boards other than a flat cable. Moreover, although the electrically conductive paste was used as a circuit pattern in the said embodiment, you may use the metal layer by the etching of metal foil, or vapor deposition depending on the case.

1-1, 1-2 Biological electrode plate with protective layer (biological flexible circuit board with protective layer, biological circuit board with protective layer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 11-2 Detection part 13, 13-2 Electrode 15,15-2 Insulation layer 21,21-2 Flexible circuit board 31, 31-2 Flat cable 33, 37, 43, 33-2, 37-2, 43 -2 Circuit pattern 35, 39, 45, 35-2, 39-2, 45-2 Insulating layer 40, 40-2 Terminal connection part 41, 41-2 Connection pattern 51, 53, 51-2 Foam protective layer 60 Foam Agent

Claims (2)

A detection unit for detecting a signal generated from the living body attached to the living body, a flat cable for extracting the signal detected by the detection unit to the outside, and a terminal connection unit provided at a tip of the flat cable, and the detection unit An electrode is formed on the upper surface of the flat cable, a circuit pattern connected to the electrode is formed on the upper surface of the flat cable, and a connection pattern connected to the circuit pattern is formed on the upper surface of the terminal connection portion. A flexible circuit board for a living body,
Forming a shield pattern on the lower surface of the flat cable;
On the other hand, a conductive layer for shielding is formed on the lower surface of the detection unit, and the conductive layer for shielding is connected to a shield pattern formed on the lower surface of the flat cable,
While forming a shield pattern through an insulating layer on the upper surface of the circuit pattern formed on the flat cable,
On the upper surface of the terminal connection portion, another connection pattern connected to the shield pattern formed on the upper surface of the flat cable is formed,
A shield pattern and a shield conductive layer formed on the lower surface of the flat cable are connected to the shield pattern on the upper surface side and the another connection pattern through a through hole,
Furthermore, the biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer which formed the foaming protective layer in the front and back both surfaces of the said flat cable. A biological flexible circuit board with a protective layer according to claim 1,
The bio-flexible circuit board with a protective layer , wherein the foamed protective layers formed on both front and back surfaces of the flat cable are formed up to a position reaching the full width of both front and back surfaces of the flat cable .

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