KR102439846B1 - Electrode module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention applies a current to the user's skin, or a patch for measuring EEG received from the user's scalp; a non-conductive body inserted to expose the patch; a cover detachably coupled to one side of the non-conductive body and covering one side of the patch inserted into the non-conductive body; a conductive electrode detachably provided on the cover and in contact with the patch to transmit a current to the patch or receive the EEG from the patch; and a connector that fixes the conductive electrode to the cover, and transmits a current provided from the outside to the conductive electrode, or receives the EEG from the conductive electrode and transmits it to the outside. will be.

Description

Electrode module

The present invention relates to an electrode module that can easily replace internal parts.

The brain is an internal organ of the human head and is the highest central organ of the nervous system, and is divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain, leg brain, and medulla oblongata. The brain also generates EEG, a signal in which the sum of neuronal activity levels is measured in the epidermis of the brain.

As a method of measuring the state of the brain, there is an electroencephalogram (EEG) test that measures and tests EEG received from an electrode module mounted on the scalp.

As a method of treating the brain, there is a brain electrical stimulation technology using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which stimulates the brain by applying an electric current through an electrode module mounted on the scalp.

However, as the conventional electrode module is integrally formed, there is a problem in that the electrode module itself needs to be replaced when an internal component is broken.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0135303 (2013.12.10)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to separate the cover from the non-conductive body when the non-conductive body and the cover are detachably defective, so that the internal parts accommodated in the non-conductive body are broken. This is to provide an electrode module that can easily replace internal parts.'

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a patch for applying a current to the user's skin, or measuring an EEG received from the user's scalp; a non-conductive body inserted to expose the patch; a cover detachably coupled to one side of the non-conductive body and covering one side of the patch inserted into the non-conductive body; a conductive electrode that is detachably provided on the cover and contacts the patch to transmit a current to the patch or receive the brain wave from the patch; and a connector that fixes the conductive electrode to the cover, and transmits a current provided from the outside to the conductive electrode, or receives the EEG from the conductive electrode and transmits it to the outside.

In addition, a fixing protrusion penetrating through the cover may be formed in any one of the conductive electrode and the connector, and a fixing groove fittingly coupled to the fixing protrusion may be formed in the other one of the conductive electrode and the connector.

In addition, a seating groove in which the connector is seated may be recessed in a plate surface of one side of the cover.

In addition, the cover may have a greater elastic modulus than the non-conductive body.

In addition, the patch may have a thickness protruding from the non-conductive body so that the non-conductive body is spaced apart from the skin.

In addition, provided on the cover, it may further include a charging unit for charging the electrolyte to the patch.

In addition, an electrolyte is applied to the patch, and the patch includes a conductive rubber or conductive sponge material, and the electrolyte may be saline, conductive gel, or hydrogel.

In addition, the surface of the conductive electrode may include Ag, AgCl, or TiN material.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

In the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the non-conductive body and the cover are detachably defective, when the internal parts accommodated in the non-conductive body are broken, the cover is separated from the non-conductive body to easily replace the internal parts. There are advantages that can be

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a perspective view showing an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

The electrode module according to the present invention can be applied as an electrode module of a medical device such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) device, an electroencephalogram (EEG) device, an electromyography (EMG) device, a percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) device, and a high frequency surgical unit (ESU) device. have.

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

1 is a perspective view showing an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention. is a cross-sectional view showing

1 , the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a patch 10 , a non-conductive body 20 , a cover 30 , a conductive electrode 40 , and a connector 50 .

The patch 10 applies a current to the user's skin or serves to measure the EEG received from the user's scalp, and is inserted into the non-conductive body 20 to be described later. An electrolyte may be applied to the patch 10, for example, the electrolyte may be saline, a conductive gel, or a hydrogel. Here, the hydrogel gel has a viscoelastic property that can improve the adhesive force between the patch 10 and the skin, and has an ion conductivity property that improves the electrical signal transmission power between the patch 10 and the skin. Therefore, it is preferable that a hydrogel gel is used as the electrolyte, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The patch 10 may be made of a conductive elastic material, for example, a conductive rubber or a conductive sponge. Accordingly, when the patch 10 is in contact with the skin, the patch 10 may be elastically deformed into a shape corresponding to the skin. As a result, the patch 10 may be in close contact with the skin to apply an electric current.

On the other hand, the skin consists of keratin having a relatively high impedance and tissues other than keratin having a relatively low impedance. can be concentrated

To prevent this, the patch 10 may have a thickness protruding from the non-conductive body 20 . Due to this, when the patch 10 is in contact with the skin, a gap is generated between the conductive electrode 40 accommodated in the non-conductive body 20 and the skin. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the current generated from the conductive electrode 40 from being concentrated to a local area of the skin in contact with the patch 10 , and the current generated from the conductive electrode 40 can be applied to the skin in contact with the patch 10 . It can be evenly distributed over the entire area.

The cover 30 and the non-conductive body 20 are electrode housings accommodating the conductive electrode 40 and the patch 10 .

The cover 30 is detachably coupled to one side of the non-conductive body 20 , and serves to cover one side of the patch 10 inserted into the non-conductive body 20 . This cover 30 may be manufactured by injection molding. Therefore, when it is necessary to replace the internal components such as the conductive electrode 40 or the patch 10 accommodated in the non-conductive body 20, the cover 30 is separated from the non-conductive body 20, and the conductive electrode 40 ) or internal parts such as the patch 10 can be easily replaced.

A cavity 21 into which the patch 10 is exposed may be formed inside the non-conductive body 20 . Therefore, when replacement of the patch 10 is necessary, the patch 10 is pulled out from the cavity 21 to separate it, and then a new patch 10 can be inserted into the cavity 21 to replace it.

The non-conductive body 20 may be made of an insulating material, for example, it may be made of a rubber material. Therefore, in the electrode module of the present invention, as the non-conductive body 20 that the user's hand mainly touches is made of an insulating material, the risk of electric shock to the user can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a fitting groove 22 is formed around the non-conductive body 20 , and a fitting protrusion 32 to be seated in the fitting groove 22 is formed around the cover 30 , so the vision The conductive body 20 and the cover 30 may be detachably coupled.

For example, the fitting groove 22 and the fitting protrusion 32 may be formed in a disk shape or an arc shape.

In addition, the fitting groove 22 is configured as a pair, and the fitting protrusion 32 is also configured as a pair, so that when assembling the cover 30 to the non-conductive body 20 , the cover 30 becomes the non-conductive body 20 . ) and can be combined without swinging along the circumference.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , a locking jaw 33 is formed on the inner surface of the cover 30 , and a locking groove 23 through which the locking jaw 33 is hooked and fixed between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the non-conductive body 20 is provided. can be formed.

For example, the locking jaw 33 includes an annular first jaw 33a protruding from the inner surface of the cover 30 toward the non-conductive body 20, and the first jaw protruding along the outer circumferential surface of the first jaw 33a. It may have two jaws (33b).

And, the locking groove 23 is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the non-conductive body 20 from the annular first groove 23a and the second groove 23b recessed between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the non-conductive body 20 . An annular second groove 23b may be formed.

Therefore, when the locking jaw 33 is inserted into the locking groove 23 , the locking jaw 33 is inserted into the first groove 23a of the locking groove 23 , the first jaw 33a is inserted into the locking jaw 33 . ) of the second jaw (33b) by being caught in the second groove (23b) of the locking groove (23), the locking jaw (33) can be locked in the locking groove (23).

Accordingly, when assembling the cover 30 to the non-conductive body 20 , the cover 30 can be coupled without being oscillated along the axial direction of the non-conductive body 20 .

Accordingly, when the cover 30 is assembled to the non-conductive body 20 , the locking jaw 33 is engaged with the locking groove 23 , and at the same time, the fitting groove 22 is fitted with the fitting protrusion 32 . , the cover 30 does not fluctuate by an external force and can cover the patch 10 stably.

The conductive electrode 40 is detachably provided on the cover 30 , contacts the patch 10 , and serves to transmit a current to the patch 10 or receive an EEG from the patch 10 . The material of the conductive electrode 40 may include at least one of Au, Ag, and AgCl. In addition, the surface material of the conductive electrode 40 may include Ag, AgCl, or TiN material.

The connector 50 fixes the conductive electrode 40 to the cover 30 , and transmits a current provided from the outside to the conductive electrode 40 , or receives an EEG from the conductive electrode 40 and transmits it to the outside. do

A fixing protrusion 41 penetrating through the cover 30 is formed on any one of the conductive electrode 40 and the connector 50 , and the fixing protrusion 41 is formed on the other of the conductive electrode 40 and the connector 50 . A fixing groove 51 to be fitted with and may be formed. Accordingly, the conductive electrode 40 and the connector 50 can be easily electrically coupled through the fixing protrusion 41 and the fixing groove 51 . 1 to 3 show an example in which the fixing protrusion 41 is formed on the conductive electrode 40 and the fixing groove 51 is formed in the connector 50, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, a through hole 34 through which the fixing protrusion 41 passes may be formed in the cover 30 . The through hole 34 may be formed in the center of the cover 30 .

A seating groove 31 in which the connector 50 is seated may be recessed in one plate surface of the cover 30 . For example, the seating groove 31 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the opposite surface of the connector 50 facing the cover 30 . Accordingly, in a state in which the connector 50 is seated and fixed in the seating groove 31 of the cover 30 , the fixing protrusion 41 of the conductive electrode 40 is fitted into the fixing groove 51 of the connector 50 . can do.

In addition, the cover 30 may have a greater modulus of elasticity than the non-conductive body 20 . Accordingly, since the cover 30 has a relatively smaller strain than the non-conductive body 20 , the connector 50 can be firmly seated in the seating groove 31 of the cover 30 , and the The locking jaw 33 may be firmly caught and fixed to the locking groove 23 of the non-conductive body 20 .

Hereinafter, an assembly process of the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the connector 50 is seated in the seating groove 31 of the cover 30 .

Then, the fixing protrusion 41 of the conductive electrode 40 is passed through the through hole 34 of the cover 30 and fitted into the fixing groove 51 of the connector 50 .

Next, the engaging projection 33 of the cover 30 is engaged with the engaging groove 23 of the non-conductive body 20 . At this time, by turning the cover 30 , the fitting protrusion 32 of the cover 30 may be fitted into the fitting groove 22 of the non-conductive body 20 .

Subsequently, the patch 10 is inserted into the cavity 21 of the non-conductive body 20 .

In this way, when the assembly of the electrode module is completed, the assembled electrode module is placed on the user's skin, for example, the user's scalp, and then when an external current is applied to the connector 50, the external current is transferred to the conductive electrode 40 It may be applied to the user's scalp through the patch 10 to give stimulation to the brain. Here, before applying a current to the connector 50 , an electrolyte may be applied to the patch 10 .

Hereinafter, a process of separating the cover 30 and the conductive electrode 40 and the connector 50 of the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the outer peripheral surface of the non-conductive body 20 is pressed inward. Then, the locking jaw 33 of the cover 30 is partially separated from the locking groove 23 of the non-conductive body 20 , and at the same time, the fitting protrusion 32 of the cover 30 is inserted into the non-conductive body 20 . spaced apart from the groove 22 .

Then, the cover 30 is separated by pulling it away from the non-conductive body 20 .

Next, the connector 50 is separated by pulling it away from the cover 30 . At this time, the conductive electrode 40 is also separated.

As such, in the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the non-conductive body 20 and the cover 30 are detachably defective, when the internal components accommodated in the non-conductive body 20 are broken, the non-conductive body By simply separating the cover 30 from the 20, there is an advantage that the internal parts can be easily replaced.

Hereinafter, the separation process of the patch 10 of the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Separate the patch 10 by pulling it away from the non-conductive body 20 .

As such, the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of very easy replacement of the patch 10 .

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is an electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention is a cross-sectional view showing

4 to 6 , the electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided on the cover 30 , and may further include a charging unit 60 for charging the electrolyte with the patch 10 .

The charging part 60 is formed through the cover 30 to communicate with the non-conductive body 20 , and may be formed in an arc shape of a predetermined length. A plurality of such charging units 60 may be formed. For example, the plurality of charging units 60 may be radially formed on the cover 30 .

According to the present invention, in the electrode module according to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte can be easily charged with the patch 10 through the charging unit 60 .

Here, although the charging unit 60 is illustrated as having an arc shape in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the charging unit may be formed in various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

As mentioned above, although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

10: patch
20: non-conductive body
21: cavity
22: fitting groove
23: jamming groove
23a: first groove
23b: second groove
30: cover
31: seating groove
32: fitting projection
33: jamming jaw
33a: first jaw
33b: second jaw
34: through hole
40: conductive electrode
41: fixing protrusion
50: connector
51: fixed groove
60: charging part

Claims (8)

a patch for applying an electric current to the user's skin or measuring an EEG received from the user's scalp;
a non-conductive body inserted to expose the patch;
a cover detachably coupled to one side of the non-conductive body, covering one side of the patch inserted into the non-conductive body, and having a larger elastic modulus than the non-conductive body;
a conductive electrode that is detachably provided on the cover and contacts the patch to transmit a current to the patch or receive the brain wave from the patch; and
A connector for fixing the conductive electrode to the cover, transmitting a current provided from the outside to the conductive electrode, or receiving the EEG from the conductive electrode and transmitting it to the outside,
A seating groove in which the connector is seated is recessed in one plate surface of the cover,
the patch has a thickness protruding from the non-conductive body so that the non-conductive body is spaced from the skin;
A locking jaw is formed on the inner surface of the cover, and a locking groove is formed between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the non-conductive body for fixing the locking jaw,
The locking jaw has an annular first jaw protruding from the inner surface of the cover toward the non-conductive body, and a second jaw protruding along the outer circumferential surface of the first jaw,
The locking groove is recessed between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the non-conductive body and includes a first groove into which the first jaw is inserted, and a first groove recessed from the first groove toward the outer circumferential surface of the non-conductive body and into which the second jaw is inserted. Electrode module comprising a second groove.
According to claim 1,
A fixing protrusion passing through the cover is formed on any one of the conductive electrode and the connector,
The electrode module, characterized in that the other one of the conductive electrode and the connector, characterized in that the fixing groove is formed to be fitted with the fixing projection.
delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The electrode module is provided on the cover, characterized in that it further comprises a charging part for charging the electrolyte with the patch.
According to claim 1,
The patch is coated with an electrolyte,
The patch is
Containing a conductive rubber or conductive sponge material,
The electrolyte is
An electrode module, characterized in that it is saline, conductive gel or hydrogel.
According to claim 1,
The surface of the conductive electrode is,
Electrode module comprising Ag, AgCl or TiN material.

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