阅读说明：本技术 生物电极及生物电极的制造方法 (Bioelectrode and method for manufacturing bioelectrode ) 是由 吉富匠 二嶋谅 宇田彻 于 2019-11-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供能够稳定地连接电极部分和引线(连接线)部分的生物电极及生物电极的制造方法。生物电极(1)包括：支承部件(10)；电极部件(20),是导电性橡胶,具有被支承部(21)和至少一个电极部(24),被支承部是被支承部件(10)支承的部件,电极部是从被支承部(21)突出的部件；以及按扣型连接器(30),设置于支承部件(10),将电极部件(20)与外部电连接。按扣型连接器(30)和被支承部(21)一体成型。(The invention provides a bioelectrode in which an electrode portion and a lead (connecting wire) portion can be stably connected, and a method for manufacturing the bioelectrode. The bioelectrode (1) comprises: a support member (10); an electrode member (20) which is a conductive rubber and has a supported portion (21) which is a member supported by the supported member (10) and at least one electrode portion (24) which is a member protruding from the supported portion (21); and a snap-type connector (30) which is provided on the support member (10) and electrically connects the electrode member (20) to the outside. The snap-type connector (30) and the supported portion (21) are integrally molded.)

1. A bioelectrode, comprising:

a support member;

an electrode member that is a conductive rubber and that has a supported portion that is a member supported by the supporting member and at least one electrode portion that protrudes from the supported portion; and

and a snap connector provided on the support member and electrically connecting the electrode member to the outside, the snap connector being integrally formed with the supported member.

2. The biologic electrode array of claim 1,

the snap-type connector has a supported part side fitting part provided on the supported part side and an outer part side fitting part provided on the outer part side,

the supported-part-side fitting part has a supported-part-side fitting part base and a fitting projection that projects from the supported-part-side fitting part base,

the outer side fitting part has: an outer side fitting part base; and a fitting concave portion recessed from the outer fitting portion base portion and fitted with the fitting convex portion of the supported portion side fitting portion,

the supported-part-side fitting part and the external-part-side fitting part are fixed to the supporting member by the fitting convex part fitting into the fitting concave part via the supporting member,

the supported portion side fitting portion is integrally formed with the supported portion.

3. The bioelectrode according to claim 1 or 2,

the snap-type connector, the supported portion, and the supporting member are integrally molded.

4. The bioelectrode according to any of claims 1 to 3,

the electrode member is molded from a conductive rubber containing silicone rubber and metal particles.

5. The bioelectrode according to any of claims 1 to 4,

the snap-type connector is stainless steel.

6. A method of manufacturing a bioelectrode, the bioelectrode comprising: the method comprises the following steps: a support member; an electrode member that is a conductive rubber and that has a supported portion that is a member supported by the supporting member and at least one electrode portion that protrudes from the supported portion; and a snap-type connector provided to the support member and electrically connecting the electrode member to an outside, the manufacturing method including:

an injection molding step of injection molding the conductive rubber into a shape of the electrode member; and

and a molding step of placing the support member provided with the push button connector on the supported portion of the electrode member injection-molded in the injection molding step, and integrally molding the push button connector and the supported portion by cross-linking the electrode member.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bioelectrode and a method for manufacturing the same, and particularly to a bioelectrode for detecting a biological signal such as an electroencephalogram and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background

In the past, bioelectrodes have been used to detect biological signals. The bioelectrode is used in contact with the body of the subject. For example, bioelectrodes are used for detecting brain wave signals used for analysis of brain functional states for the purpose of early detection of alzheimer's disease and the like.

In order to detect an electroencephalogram signal, bioelectrodes for electroencephalogram detection are used in which an electrode member is brought into direct contact with the scalp of a subject. The conventional bioelectrode is a bioelectrode formed by a disc-shaped thin plate made of a high-conductivity metal such as silver, gold, or the like. The bioelectrode of this sheet is poor in adhesion to the skin, and it is necessary to apply gel, cream, paste, or the like between the skin and the bioelectrode in order to reduce contact resistance with the skin. These coatings need to be removed after detection of the biosignal, which is laborious to use.

In addition, an electrical double layer resulting from ionization of the metal forms at the interface of the skin and the electrode, generating a polarizing voltage. This fluctuation in polarization voltage causes a fluctuation in the baseline of the signal, and in order to stabilize the polarization voltage, it is necessary to form a silver chloride film on the surface of the silver electrode and age it.

On the other hand, as a bioelectrode which does not require application of gel or the like, there are a bioelectrode using a probe made of metal (for example, see patent document 1) and a bioelectrode formed by impregnating a water absorbing member such as sponge with an electrolyte solution in which amino acids or organic salts are dissolved (for example, see patent document 2).

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-248306

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-144051

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a conventional bioelectrode using a silver electrode/silver chloride electrode, an electrode portion and a lead (connecting wire) portion are integrated. However, in the bioelectrode which does not require coating of gel or the like, the electrode portion is separated from the lead portion. Therefore, the connection portion of the electrode portion and the lead portion becomes unstable, and there is a fear that the connection portion of the electrode portion and the lead portion is easily detached due to the movement of the subject or the like. As described above, the conventional bioelectrode is required to have a structure capable of stably connecting the electrode portion and the lead portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a bioelectrode in which an electrode portion and a lead (connecting wire) portion can be stably connected, and a method for manufacturing the bioelectrode.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, a bioelectrode according to the present invention includes: a support member; an electrode member that is a conductive rubber and that has a supported portion that is a member supported by the supporting member and at least one electrode portion that protrudes from the supported portion; and a snap connector provided on the support member and electrically connecting the electrode member to the outside, the snap connector being integrally formed with the supported member.

In the bioelectrode according to an aspect of the present invention, the snap-type connector includes a supported-portion-side fitting portion provided on the supported portion side and an outer-portion-side fitting portion provided on the outer side, the supported-portion-side fitting portion includes a supported-portion-side fitting portion base and a fitting convex portion that protrudes from the supported-portion-side fitting portion base, and the outer-portion-side fitting portion includes: an outer side fitting part base; and a fitting concave portion that is recessed from the outer-side fitting portion base portion and that is fitted to the fitting convex portion of the supported-portion-side fitting portion, wherein the supported-portion-side fitting portion and the outer-side fitting portion are fixed to the supporting member by fitting the fitting convex portion to the fitting concave portion via the supporting member, and the supported-portion-side fitting portion and the supported portion are integrally molded.

In the bioelectrode according to one aspect of the present invention, the snap connector, the supported portion, and the support member are integrally molded.

In the bioelectrode according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode member is molded from a conductive rubber containing silicone rubber and metal particles.

In the bioelectrode according to one embodiment of the present invention, the snap connector is stainless steel.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a bioelectrode, the bioelectrode comprising: a support member; an electrode member that is a conductive rubber and that has a supported portion that is a member supported by the supporting member and at least one electrode portion that protrudes from the supported portion; and a snap-type connector provided to the support member and electrically connecting the electrode member to an outside, the manufacturing method including: an injection molding step of stirring the conductive rubber and injection molding the conductive rubber into a shape of the electrode member; and a molding step of placing the support member provided with the push button connector on the supported portion of the electrode member injection-molded in the injection molding step, and integrally molding the push button connector and the supported portion by cross-linking the electrode member.

Effects of the invention

According to the bioelectrode and the method for manufacturing the bioelectrode of the present invention, the electrode portion and the lead (connecting wire) portion can be stably connected.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bioelectrode in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the structure of a bioelectrode in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a bioelectrode in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view A-A schematically showing the structure of the bioelectrode shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an injection molding step and a molding step in the method for manufacturing a bioelectrode according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a volume resistance evaluation test of the bioelectrode in the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bioelectrode 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the bioelectrode 1, and fig. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the bioelectrode 1. FIG. 4 is an A-A sectional view schematically showing the structure of the bioelectrode 1 shown in FIG. 2. The bioelectrode 1 of the embodiment of the present invention includes: a support member 10; an electrode member 20 which is a conductive rubber and has a supported portion 21 and at least one electrode portion 24, the supported portion 21 being a member supported by the supported member 10, the electrode portion 24 being a member protruding from the supported portion 21; and a snap connector 30 provided on the support member 10 and electrically connecting the electrode member 20 to the outside. The snap type connector 30 and the supported portion 21 are integrally formed.

The snap-type connector 30 has: a supported portion side fitting portion 40 provided on the supported portion 21 side; and a connection surface side fitting portion 50 provided on the connection surface 12 as the outer side. The supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 are integrally molded.

In the bioelectrode 1, the tip portion of the electrode portion 24 of the electrode section 20 is in contact with the body of the subject, and the biological signal of the subject can be detected via the electrode portion 24 of the electrode section 20. The bioelectrode 1 is, for example, a bioelectrode for brain wave detection that is brought into contact with the head of a subject and detects brain waves. The bioelectrode 1 is not limited to the electrode for electroencephalogram detection, and may be applied to other apparatuses for detecting a biological signal, such as wearable information equipment. The structure of the bioelectrode 1 will be specifically described below.

In the bioelectrode 1, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, the support member 10 has, for example, a disk shape or a substantially disk shape. The support member 10 includes: a support surface 11 which is a surface for supporting the electrode member 20; and a connection surface 12 which faces away from the support surface 11 and to which a connection portion (not shown) electrically connectable to a measurement device (not shown) is connected. The measurement device not shown is, for example, a device for receiving the biological signal detected by the bioelectrode 1, and processing, analyzing, displaying, or the like the received biological signal. A through hole 13 (fig. 4) is formed in the center or substantially the center of the support member 10 to pass through the support surface 11 and the connection surface 12. The support member 10 supports the electrode member 20 in the support surface 11.

The support member 10 is made of an insulating material and is not electrically connected to the electrode member 20. The support member 10 is formed of, for example, silicone rubber. The shape of the support member 10 is not limited to a specific shape as long as it can support the electrode member 20.

A supported part side fitting part 40 (fig. 4) of the snap type connector 30 is provided at the center or substantially the center of the supporting surface 11 of the supporting member 10. Details of the supported part side fitting part 40 of the snap type connector 30 will be described later.

A connection surface side fitting portion 50 of the snap connector 30 is provided at the center or substantially at the center of the connection surface 12 of the support member 10. Details of the connecting surface side fitting portion 50 of the snap type connector 30 will be described later.

In the bioelectrode 1, the electrode member 20 has: a supported portion 21 which is a member supported by the support member 10; and at least one electrode portion 24 protruding from the supported portion 21. The supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 has, for example, a disk shape or a substantially disk shape. The supported portion 21 includes: a supported surface 22 which is a surface supported by the supporting surface 11 of the supporting member 10; and a protruding surface 23 which faces away from the supported surface 22 and from which the electrode portion 24 protrudes. The shape of the supported portion 21 is the same or substantially the same shape as the shape of the support member 10 when viewed from the axial direction.

In the bioelectrode 1, a plurality of electrode portions 24 of the electrode member 20 are provided so as to project in the same or substantially the same direction from the projecting surface 23 of the supported portion 21. The tips of the electrode portions 24 of the electrode member 20 are formed in, for example, a hemispherical shape or a substantially hemispherical shape. The electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 is, for example, in a brush shape and protrudes from the protruding surface 23 of the supported portion 21.

The electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 has, for example, a conical or substantially conical shape that tapers toward the tip of the electrode portion 24 as a whole. The shape of the electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 is a cylindrical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape, and may be a shape having a portion tapered toward the tip, and is not limited to a specific shape.

The electrode member 20 is formed of conductive rubber. The conductive rubber forming the electrode member 20 contains silicone rubber and metal particles. The silicone rubber is, for example, a liquid silicone rubber of a room temperature curing type, and the metal particles are, for example, silver particles. The metal particles may be any metal-based material having conductivity, and may be made of a carbon-based material such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes.

The room temperature curing type liquid silicone rubber is liquid or pasty before curing, and is a silicone rubber which is generally cured at 20 to 100 ℃ to form a rubber elastomer. In the curing reaction, there are a reaction that proceeds slowly due to moisture (moisture) in the air and a reaction that proceeds immediately by adding a curing agent to the main material, but curing may be performed by any curing reaction. In addition, only one kind of room temperature curable liquid silicone rubber may be used, or a plurality of kinds of room temperature curable liquid silicone rubbers may be mixed and used.

As the silver particles of the conductive rubber, particles in a form including aggregated silver powder and flake silver powder can be used. The agglomerated silver powder is a silver powder in which a plurality of particle-like primary particles are agglomerated into a three-dimensional shape, and the shape of the flake-like silver powder is scaly. The average particle diameter of the silver powder in the form of aggregates and the silver powder in the form of flakes is not limited to a specific value.

The conductive rubber forming the electrode member 20 may further contain other components in addition to the above components within a range not impairing the effects of the present invention. As other components, compounding agents generally used in the rubber industry, such as reinforcing agents, fillers such as dry silica, antioxidants, processing aids, and plasticizers, can be appropriately blended.

As described above, the electrode member 20 is formed by curing silicone rubber, has flexibility and elasticity, has good adhesion to the body of the subject, is soft to the touch of the skin, is less likely to cause discomfort even when adhered for a long time, and can maintain stable contact with the body of the subject.

In the bioelectrode 1, the snap connector 30 has a supported portion side fitting portion 40 provided on the supported portion 21 side and a connection surface side fitting portion 50 provided on the connection surface 12, and the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 are integrally molded. The snap-type connector 30 is formed of, for example, stainless steel. Further, if the supported-part-side fitting part 40 is electrically connected to the connection-surface-side fitting part 50, the snap-type connector 30 is not limited to a specific material.

In the snap type connector 30, as shown in fig. 4, the supported portion side fitting portion 40 has a supported portion side fitting portion base 41 and a fitting convex portion 44, and the fitting convex portion 44 is a member protruding from the supported portion side fitting portion base 41. In the supported-part-side fitting part 40, the supported-part-side fitting part base 41 has, for example, a disk-like or substantially disk-like shape, and is formed into a disk-like or substantially disk-like shape with its center or substantially center depressed shallowly. The supported part side fitting part base 41 includes: a protruding surface 42 from which the fitting protrusion 44 protrudes; and an embedded surface 43 that is embedded in the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 so as to face away from the protruding surface 42.

In the supported-part-side fitting part 40, the fitting convex portion 44 protrudes from the center or substantially the center of the protruding surface 42 of the supported-part-side fitting part base 41. The fitting convex portion 44 has a bottomed cylindrical shape or a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and an annular or substantially annular fitting portion 45 recessed in a radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the fitting convex portion 44 is formed at a tip end thereof. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting convex portion 44 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 13 of the support member 10, and the fitting convex portion 44 is inserted through the through hole 13 of the support member 10. The protruding surface 42 of the supported-part-side fitting portion 40 is arranged on the supporting surface 11 of the supporting member 10 by being inserted through the through hole 13 of the supporting member 10 at the center or substantially at the center of the supporting surface 11 of the supporting member 10 by the fitting convex portion 44.

The supported portion side fitting portion 40 is integrally formed with the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20. Specifically, the supported portion side fitting portion 40 is provided such that the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 is embedded in the supported portion 22 side of the supported portion 21 at the center or substantially at the center of the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20, and the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 are integrally molded. Only the embedded surface 43 of the supported-portion-side fitting portion base 41 is embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21, and the protruding surface 42 of the supported-portion-side fitting portion base 41 is not embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21.

In the snap-type connector 30, as shown in fig. 4, the connection surface side fitting portion 50 has a connection surface side fitting portion base 51 and a fitting concave portion 54, and the fitting concave portion 54 is formed so as to be recessed from the connection surface side fitting portion base 51 and to be capable of fitting with the fitting convex portion 44 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40. In the connection surface-side fitting portion 50, the connection surface-side fitting portion base 51 has, for example, a disk-like or substantially disk-like shape, and is formed into a disk-like or substantially disk-like shape in which the center or substantially center thereof is shallowly recessed.

The connection surface-side fitting portion base 51 includes: a concave surface 52 recessed from the fitting recess 54; and an opposing face 53, opposite the concave face 52 and opposite the connecting face 12 of the support member 10. The diameter of the connection surface side fitting portion base 51 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41.

In the connection surface-side fitting portion 50, a fitting recess 54 is recessed from the center or substantially the center of the recessed surface 52 of the connection surface-side fitting portion base 51. The fitting concave portion 54 has a bottomed cylindrical shape or a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and is radially expanded from the root portion toward the tip end of the fitting concave portion 54, and is fitted to the fitting portion 45 of the fitting convex portion 44 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 at the root portion of the fitting concave portion 54.

That is, the diameter of the root of the fitting concave portion 54 is the same as or substantially the same as the diameter of the fitting portion 45 of the fitting convex portion 44 of the supported portion-side fitting portion 40, and the fitting concave portion 54 is fitted to the fitting portion 45 of the fitting convex portion 44 of the supported portion-side fitting portion 40 inserted through the through hole 13 of the supporting member 10 at or substantially at the center of the connecting surface 12 of the supporting member 10. In this way, the supported-part-side fitting portion 40 and the connection-surface-side fitting portion 50 are fixed to the support member 10 by the fitting convex portion 44 being fitted to the fitting concave portion 54 via the support member 10, for example, by caulking or the like. That is, the supporting body side fitting portion 40 and the connecting surface side fitting portion 50 are fixed to the supporting member 10 by fitting the fitting convex portion 44 and the fitting concave portion 54 in a state where the supporting member 10 is sandwiched by the supporting body side fitting portion base portion 41 and the connecting surface side fitting portion base portion 51.

The connection surface-side fitting portion 50 functions as a terminal for electrically connecting the bioelectrode 1 to the measurement device (not shown). The connection surface-side fitting portion 50 is fitted and connected to a connection portion (not shown) of another snap connector or the like corresponding to the snap connector 30, which can be electrically connected to the measurement device (not shown), for example. The connection surface-side fitting portion 50 may be electrically connected not only to a measurement device (not shown) but also to an external device such as a lead wire, an external device, or a measurement device.

Next, a method for manufacturing the bioelectrode 1 having the above-described structure will be described. The method for manufacturing the bioelectrode 1 includes an injection molding step and a molding step. The injection molding step is a step of stirring the conductive rubber and injection molding the conductive rubber into the shape of the electrode member 20, and the molding step is a step of: the support member 10 provided with the snap connector 30 is placed on the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 after injection molding in the injection molding step, and the electrode member 20 is cross-linked to integrally mold the snap connector 30 and the supported portion 21. Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the bioelectrode 1 will be specifically described.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an injection molding step and a molding step in the method for manufacturing the bioelectrode 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the injection molding step, as shown in fig. 5, the conductive rubber containing the silicone rubber and the metal particles is stirred and injected into a molding die (cavity) in the shape of the electrode member 20, thereby injection molding the intermediate product 60 molded from the supported portion 21 and the electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20. In the intermediate product 60, the embedded surface 43 of the supported-part-side fitting part 40 of the snap connector 30 is not embedded in the supported part 21 of the electrode member 20.

Next, in the molding step, as shown in fig. 5, the support member 10 is placed on the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 of the intermediate product 60 injected into the molding die (cavity) and molded, with the supported portion side fitting portion 40 of the snap connector 30 fitted to the connecting surface side fitting portion 50 on the supporting surface 11 of the support member 10 and fixed to the support member 10.

Next, in the molding step, the intermediate product 60 is cross-linked in a state where the supporting member 10 is placed on the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 of the intermediate product 60. Thus, the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion-side fitting portion base 41 of the supported portion-side fitting portion 40 is solidified in the state of being embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21, and the supported portion-side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 are integrally molded. The protruding surface 42 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 is not embedded inside the supported surface 22 side of the supported portion 21.

The electrode member 20 is molded by curing silicone rubber as a binder with metal particles, and a molded surface layer (not shown) as a layer with few metal particles is formed on the surface of the molded electrode member 20. The contact resistance between the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion-side fitting portion base 41 and the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 is not defined by the apparent contact area, but is defined by the effective contact area between the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion-side fitting portion base 41, which is responsible for electrical contact, and the metal particles of the supported portion 21.

Therefore, when the surface of the embedded surface 43 of the supported-portion-side fitting base 41 and the surface of the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 are in contact, that is, when the embedded surface 43 of the supported-portion-side fitting base 41 is not embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 and the surfaces are bonded to each other, the embedded surface 43 of the supported-portion-side fitting base 41 and the molding surface layer (not shown) are in contact, so that contact resistance becomes high, noise mixed into the detected biological signal increases, or the biological signal itself cannot be acquired.

On the other hand, the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 is embedded inside the supported surface 22 side of the supported portion 21, and does not contact the molded surface layer (not shown) on the surface of the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 but contacts the supported portion 21 inside the molded surface layer (not shown). Therefore, the contact resistance between the electrode member 20 and the supported-portion-side fitting portion 40 can be reduced, noise mixed into the detected biological signal does not increase, and acquisition of the biological signal itself does not become impossible.

In the method of manufacturing the bioelectrode 1, the embedded surface 43 of the supported-portion-side fitting base 41 of the supported-portion-side fitting portion 40 is embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 and cured. Therefore, the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 is formed to follow the irregularities of the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40, and therefore the supported portion 21 of the electrode member 20 is in surface contact with the irregularities of the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41.

Therefore, the effective contact area, which is the contact area between the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 and the metal particles of the supported portion 21, can be increased, and as a result, the contact resistance between the electrode member 20 and the supported portion side fitting portion 40 can be reduced. Further, since the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 are integrally molded, the interface between the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 and the metal particles of the supported portion 21 does not move, and a stable contact resistance is obtained.

As described above, the snap connector 30 of the bioelectrode 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the supported portion side fitting portion 40 provided on the supported portion 21 side and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 provided on the connection surface 12. The fitting convex portion 44 of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 is inserted through the through hole 13 of the supporting member 10, and the fitting portion 45 is fitted to the root portion of the fitting concave portion 54 of the connecting surface side fitting portion 50, whereby the supporting member 10 and the electrode member 20 are fixed, and the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the supported portion 21 are integrally molded.

Therefore, the bioelectrode 1 can be electrically connected to the measurement device (not shown) via the connection surface-side fitting portion 50 by fitting the connection surface-side fitting portion 50 to a connection portion (not shown) of another snap connector or the like corresponding to the snap connector 30 in the measurement device (not shown). This makes the connection portion between the electrode portion and the connection wire portion unstable, prevents the connection portion between the electrode portion and the connection wire portion from easily separating due to movement of the subject, and enables stable connection between the electrode portion and the connection wire portion.

In the bioelectrode 1, the electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 is formed of conductive rubber, has good elasticity so as not to give discomfort to the subject, and can be uniformly brought into close contact with the target portion of the subject. Therefore, a reinforcing member such as a core member for providing elasticity to the electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 is not required. Further, the electrode portion 24 of the electrode member 20 can be formed only of the conductive rubber, and the electrode member 20 can be easily manufactured without complicating the structure. In the bioelectrode 1, the snap connector 30 is formed of stainless steel, and therefore, the bioelectrode has good conductivity and is easy to handle, and the electrode portion and the connecting wire portion can be stably connected at low cost.

Next, an evaluation test of the volume resistance of the bioelectrode 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The inventors fabricated the bioelectrode 1 (example) in the above-described embodiment of the present invention and performed a volume resistance evaluation test on the bioelectrode 1. As shown in fig. 6, the volume resistance evaluation test was performed by measuring the volume resistance of the example using an LCR meter. Specifically, the bioelectrode 1 (example) was placed on a metal plate, connected by a kelvin clamp, and the volume resistance was measured by an LCR meter. As the LCR meter, the following LCR meter was used.

LCR meter: ZM2371, PRODUCTION OF NF CIRCUIT DESIGN MODULE, KOKAI

In the examples, the conductive rubber of the formulation shown in table 1 below was centrifugally stirred and injected into a molding die (cavity). Next, the support member 10 is placed on the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 of the intermediate product 60 injected into the molding die (cavity) and molded, with the supported portion side fitting portion 40 of the snap connector 30 fitted to the connecting surface side fitting portion 50 on the supporting surface 11 of the support member 10 and fixed to the support member 10. Next, the intermediate product 60 was crosslinked under the crosslinking conditions shown in table 2 in a state where the supporting member 10 was placed on the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 of the intermediate product 60. Then, the bioelectrode 1 of the example was produced by performing the saline treatment in the autoclave under the saline treatment conditions shown in table 3.

[ Table 1]

[ Table 2]

	Examples
		Once crosslinked	150 ℃ for 3 minutes
Secondary crosslinking	150 ℃ for 30 minutes

[ Table 3]

	Examples
		Concentration of brine	10％
Time of impregnation	1 hour
		Temperature of brine	121℃
Pressure of	0.1MpaG

In the present evaluation test, the volume resistance was measured with 10 samples as described above for the examples. The test results are the average of the values determined for the 10 samples. The volume resistance of the examples was measured to be 0.98. omega. Thus, it can be confirmed that the electrode member 20 is electrically connected via the snap connector 30.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and includes all the embodiments included in the concept of the present invention and the claims. Further, the respective structures may be combined as appropriate and selectively to achieve at least part of the above-described problems and effects. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, and the like of each component in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed by a specific use mode of the present invention.

For example, the support member 10 is not limited to the above shape, and may have another shape. Similarly, the electrode member 20 is not limited to the above shape, and may have another shape.

Further, both the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 may be formed of the same material from the stainless steel, or may be formed of different materials. When the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 are formed of different materials, the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 can be formed of a material having conductivity different from stainless steel. As the material having conductivity of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50, for example, other metal such as copper or aluminum can be used. The material of the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 is not limited to these, and a material having conductivity such as conductive rubber can be used.

In addition, the case where the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 are fitted and fixed to the support member 10 by, for example, caulking or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the supported portion side fitting portion 40 may be provided on the electrode member 20, the connection surface side fitting portion 50 may be provided on the support member 10, and the supported portion side fitting portion 40 and the connection surface side fitting portion 50 may be fixed to the support member 10 by fitting, for example, caulking or the like.

In addition, the case where only the embedded surface 43 of the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 is embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the supported portion side fitting portion base 41 may be entirely embedded in the supported surface 22 of the supported portion 21. The connection surface-side fitting portion 50 may be provided by adhering the outer edge of the opposing surface 53 of the connection surface-side fitting portion 50 to the connection surface 12 of the support member 10 with an adhesive or the like at the center or substantially at the center of the connection surface 12 of the support member 10, or may be provided by partially embedding the connection surface 12 of the support member 10.

Description of the marks

1 … bioelectrode; 10 … support member; 11 … bearing surface; 12 … connecting surface; 13 … through holes; 20 … an electrode member; 21 … supported portion; 22 … supported surface; 23 … projection surface; 24 … electrode portions; 30 … snap-type connectors; 40 … supported part side fitting part; 41 … supported part side fitting part base part; 42 … projection surface; 43 … buried surface; 44 … fitting projection; a 45 … fitting part; 50 … connection surface side fitting part; 51 … connection surface side fitting part base part; 52 … concave; 53 … opposite faces; 54 … fits into the recess.