Electrode for measuring biomedical signal and electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an electrode for measuring a biomedical signal and an electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal which are preferably used in a medical measuring apparatus for measuring vital information, such as an electroencephalograph or an electrocardiograph.

[0004] 2. Related art

[0005] Conventionally, in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Instrument) diagnosis, an electroencephalogram or an electrocardiogram is measured. FIG. 10 is a view diagrammatically showing the configuration of MRI.

[0006] The case where an electroencephalogram or an electrocardiogram is to be obtained in MRI will be considered. In a strong magnetic field formed in MRI magnet of the MRI, a movement of the body of the subject causes a voltage in conformance to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to appear in lead wires of electrodes of an electroencephalograph or an electrocardiograph. Such a voltage functions as noises, and produces a problem in that the measurement cannot be correctly performed. This problem is produced also by a minute movement of the body of the subject caused by the heartbeat. Therefore, it is requested to develop a countermeasure to the problem as soon as possible. FIG. 11 shows an electrocardiogram and the waveform of noises. From the figure, it will be seen that noises appear in synchronization with the electrocardiogram. The noise level varies depending on the site to which an electrode is attached and the manner of drawing out a lead wire therefrom, and is in proportion to the number of crossing magnetic fluxes.

[0007] Conventionally, in order to solve this problem, the arrangement direction of lead wires of electrodes is made coincident with the direction of the line of magnetic force so that the opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force is reduced, or a filter is disposed in a signal processing circuit. However, such countermeasures are insufficient for suppressing noises.

[0008] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrode for measuring a biomedical signal and an electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal which, when used in a magnetic field, can suppress noises generated in lead wires connected to electrodes of an electroencephalograph or an electrocardiograph, to a low level.

[0009] In order to attain the object, according to the present invention, there is provided the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal including a plurality of electrodes for taking out a biomedical signal; lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes; and a support member which supports the electrodes and the lead wires, and which is made of a flexible and insulative material such as plastic or rubber, and the lead wires are tightly twisted in the support member and the twisted lead wires are disposed in a straight line.

[0010] According to this configuration, the lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes are tightly twisted in the support member. Consequently, even when the electrode is placed in a magnetic field, there is little opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force. As a result, even when the electrode is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, a voltage induced in each lead wire is very low in level, and hence an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram can be correctly measured.

[0011] The electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention comprises: a plurality of electrodes for taking out a biomedical signal; lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes; and a support member which is made of a flexible and insulative material such as plastic or rubber, and in which the electrodes are stacked so as not to overlap one another and the lead wires are stacked so as to overlap one another in a noncontact state.

[0012] According to this configuration, the electrodes are stacked so as not to overlap one another and the lead wires are stacked so as to overlap one another in a noncontact state. Therefore, the opening area of each lead wire with respect to the line of magnetic force is reduced. As a result, even when the electrode is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, a voltage induced in each lead wire is very low in level, and hence an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram can be correctly measured.

[0013] Furthermore, a sensor which, when placed in a magnetic field, generates a current corresponding to the number of crossing magnetic fluxes may be disposed in the support member. For example, the sensor is configured by disposing a conductive wire in the support member, in a shape of a loop.

[0014] The electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention comprises: a plurality of housing portions which are made of a flexible and insulative material such as plastic, or rubber, and which respectively house a plurality of electrodes for taking out a biomedical signal; and a groove through which lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes are drawn out in a straight line to an outside.

[0015] According to this structure, the lead wires can be linearly fixed, and hence the opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force in the stack direction can be reduced. As a result, even when the electrode support device is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, a voltage induced in each lead wire is very low in level, and hence an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram can be correctly measured.

[0016] The electrode support device may further comprise an accommodating portion which accommodates a sensor which generates a current corresponding to the number of crossing magnetic fluxes.

[0017] FIG. 1(a) is a plan view showing a first Embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 1(b) is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of a first Embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a section view taken along the line A—A of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a section view taken along the line B—B of FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view a third embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a signal processing circuit using the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of third embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of the embodiment of the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a section view of a part of the embodiment of the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a view diagrammatically showing the configuration of MRI; and

[0028] FIG. 11 is a waveform chart showing an electrocardiogram and a current generated in a lead wire.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal and the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] First Embodiment of the Electrode for Measuring a Biomedical Signal

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the upper side showing a first Embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a section perspective view from the arrow A of FIG. 1.

[0032] The electrode for measuring a biomedical signal 10 of the first embodiment includes thin foil electrodes 11ato 11cwhich are formed into a square shape; lead wires 12ato 12cwhich are connected to the electrodes 11ato 11c,respectively; and a support section 13 which is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, formed into a slender thin plate-like shape, and supports the electrodes 11ato 11cin a straight line and at constant intervals.

[0033] The electrodes 11aand 11care used for taking out a biomedical signal. One of the electrodes is a positive electrode (+) and the other electrode is a negative electrode (−). The electrode 11bis a reference electrode (E). The lead wires 12ato 12care tightly twisted so as not to have an opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force. As shown in the section view of FIG. 2, the support section 13 consists of two plate-like members 13aand 13bwhich are bonded to each other by an adhesive agent. A groove 15 (see FIG. 1) which is very thin and through which the lead wires 12ato 12care to be passed is formed in the plate-like member 13aso as to elongate in the longitudinal direction. The lead wires 12ato 12cin a twisted state are inserted into the groove 15. An insulation cover is formed on each of the lead wires 12ato 12c,so that the lead wires are not short-circuited as a result of the twisting. Also the portions of the lead wires 12ato 12cwhich are drawn out to the outside from the support section 13 are tightly twisted so as to have a reduced opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force.

[0034] Since the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal 10 is configured as described above and the lead wires 12ato 12cconnected to the electrodes 11ato 11care tightly twisted, there is little opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force. Even when the electrode is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, therefore, only a very low voltage is induced in the lead wires 12ato 12c,and hence little noises are produced.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, it is applicable for drawing the twisted lead wire from the vicinity of center portion of the electrode 10 like in shape of T-type.

[0036] Second Embodiment of the Electrode for Measuring a Biomedical Signal

[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the upper side showing a second embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention, and FIG. 4 is a section perspective view from the arrow B of FIG. 3.

[0038] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the electrodes 11ato 11care arranged with being staggered so as to be in a straight line and at constant intervals. Lead wires 22ato 22care stacked so as to overlap one another in the thickness direction of the electrode body by molding with rubber or plastic, fixing the lead wires and minimizing the gap among the lead wires.

[0039] The disposition in which the lead wires 22ato 22care stacked so as to overlap one another in the thickness direction of the electrode body can reduce the vertical opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force. The lateral opening area can be-reduced by forming the lead wires 22ato 22cso as to be thin.

[0040] As described above, in the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal 20 of second embodiment, the lead wires 22ato 22care stacked so as to overlap one another in the thickness direction of the electrode body. In the lead wires 22ato 22c,therefore, the opening area in the thickness direction with respect to the line of magnetic force is reduced. As a result, even when the electrode is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, only a very low voltage is generated in the lead wires 22ato 22c,and hence little noises are produced.

[0041] The electrodes 11ato 11cand the lead wires 22ato 22cmay be formed by using flexible printing board, that reduces the lateral opening area and forms the electrode to be thin.

[0042] (III) Third Embodiment of the Electrode for Measuring a Biomedical Signal

[0043] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the upper side showing a third embodiment of the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention.

[0044] The electrode for measuring a biomedical signal 30 of the third embodiment comprises a noise-detecting sensor 31 which detects a current flowing through lead wires 12ato 12cplaced in a strong magnetic field. The sensor 31 is configured by disposing a conductive wire in a support section 13, in a shape of a loop, and inserted into a groove 32 which is formed so as to surround electrodes 11ato 11cof a plate-like member 13aof the support section 13. Since the conductive wire is disposed in a loop so as to have an opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force, a voltage of the level which is sufficient for detecting noises is generated and noises can be surely detected.

[0045] Namely, the conductive wire is arranged in the vicinity of the electrode. It is preferable for definding the loop in such a manner the conductive wire surrounds at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a signal processing circuit using the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal 30. Referring to the figure, a biomedical signal obtained in the electrodes 11ato 11cis amplified by an amplifier 40, and a signal obtained in the sensor 31 is amplified by an amplifier 41. An output of the amplifier 40 is supplied to a noninverting input of a comparator 42, and that of the amplifier 41 is supplied via an subtracter 43 to an inverting input of the comparator 42. The comparator 42 produces an output corresponding to a difference between the outputs of the amplifiers 40 and 41. The output is supplied to a measuring circuit which is not shown, and also to a noise detecting section 44. The noise detecting section 44 detects noise components from the output of the comparator 42, and adjusts the attenuation rate of the subtracter 43 so that the noise level becomes zero.

[0047] (IV) Embodiment of the Electrode Support Device for Measuring a Biomedical Signal.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a part of the tool.

[0049] The electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal (hereinafter, referred to merely as “electrode support device”) 50 of the embodiment is configured by two portions (hereinafter, referred to as “plate-like members”) 50aand 50bwhich are made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic and which are formed into a rectangular shape. In one of the plate-like members or the plate-like members 50b,housing portions 53ato 53cwhich respectively houses electrodes 60ato 60c(see FIG. 8) for taking out a biomedical signal, and a thin groove 54 which houses lead wires 61ato 61crespectively connected to the electrodes 60ato 60care formed. The electrodes 60ato 60care identical with those which are independently used in the prior art.

[0050] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 8, the groove 54 is formed so as to elongate in the arrangement direction of the housing portions 53ato 53cand in adjacent to the housing portions 53ato 53c.As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7, the plate-like members 50aand 50bare coupled together by means of a hinge between their edges elongating in their longitudinal direction, so as to be openable with respect to each other. Engaging pieces 51 and 52 are respectively formed at the middle portions of the opening edges of the plate-like members 50aand 50b,so that the plate-like members in the closing state are hardly opened. As shown in a section view of FIG. 9, a recess is formed in a middle portion of the inner side of the engaging piece 51, and the engaging piece 52 can be fitted into the recess. When the engaging piece 52 is fitted into the recess of the engaging piece 51 in this way, the plate-like members 50aand 50bcan be surely closed.

[0051] When the thus configured electrode support device 50 is to be used, the plate-like members 50aand 50bare opened, and the electrodes 60ato 60care placed into the housing portions 53ato 53cof the plate-like member 50b,respectively. Thereafter, the lead wires 61ato 61care placed into the groove 54. At this time, the lead wires 61ato 61care twisted. After the electrodes 60ato 60cand the lead wires 61ato 61care inserted, the plate-like members 50aand 50bare closed.

[0052] In the configuration in which the lead wires 61ato 61care housed in a compacted state, the lead wires 61ato 61chave little opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force. Even when the electrode support device is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, therefore, only a very low voltage is generated in the lead wires 61ato 61c,and hence little noises are produced.

[0053] A groove which accommodates the noise-detecting sensor 31 may be disposed in the electrode support device 50.

[0054] The shape of the electrode support device is not restricted to that of the embodiment. The electrode support device may have any shape as far as the electrodes 60ato 60ccan be housed and the lead wires 61ato 61ccan be housed in a straight line.

[0055] According to the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the present invention, the lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes are tightly twisted so that the opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force is minimum. Even when the electrode is placed in a strong magnetic field such as MRI, little noises are produced. As a result, correct measurement results can be obtained in an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram.

[0056] According to the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the present invention, the lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes are stacked so as to overlap one another in the thickness direction of the electrode body so that the opening area with respect to the line of magnetic force is minimum. Even when the electrode is placed in a strong magnetic field such as MRI, little noises are produced. As a result, correct measurement results can be obtained in an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram.

[0057] According to the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal of the present invention, the sensor which detects a voltage corresponding to the number of crossing magnetic fluxes is disposed. When the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal is placed in a magnetic field, therefore, it is possible to pick up noises synchronized with an electrocardiogram. The picked-up noises can be used for canceling noises of a low level which are contained in a biomedical signal obtained from the electrode for measuring a biomedical signal.

[0058] According to the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal of the present invention, the lead wires respectively connected to the electrodes can be fixed in a straight line, and hence the opening area in the stack direction with respect to the line of magnetic force can be reduced. As a result, even when the electrode support device is used together with an apparatus such as MRI which produces a strong magnetic field, generation of noises due to a current flowing through each lead wire can be suppressed to a low level. Furthermore, the sensor which detects a voltage corresponding to the number of crossing magnetic fluxes is disposed. When the electrode support device for measuring a biomedical signal is placed in a magnetic field, therefore, it is possible to pick up noises synchronized with an electrocardiogram. The picked-up noises can be used for canceling noises of a low level which are contained in a biomedical signal obtained from an electrode for measuring a biomedical signal.