WO2009043196A1 - Textile electrode device, particularly for multi-channel electrostimuation or electrophysiological measurements, and method for the production thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A textile electrode device, particularly for electrostimulation or electrophysiological measurements, comprises a first textile layer (4), which is to be applied to a body surface (2) of an individual wearing the device and which on the side facing the body is provided with at least one embroidered electrode (6), which is formed by an electrically conductive yarn (8) and electrically contacted with an associated electrical supply line (10). The supply line is formed by an electrically conductive wire (11) provided with an electrically insulated sheathing and is embroidered onto the side of the textile layer facing away from the body. The electrical supply line and the embroidered electrode overlap in a planar contacting region. The sheathing of the supply line comprises a plurality of damage sites in the contacting region, said sites forming the electrical contact between the supply line and the embroidered electrode.

Description

 Textile electrode device, in particular for multichannel electrostimulation or electrophysiological measurements, and method for its production

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a textile electrode device according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing a textile electrode device.

PRIOR ART Textile-integrated electrodes for transcutaneous electrostimulation (surface electrode rust simulation) are becoming increasingly important, since their integration in cuffs or garments considerably simplifies the use of electrotherapies, muscular bodybuilding, electrical pain therapy or functional electrostimulation. Furthermore, textile-integrated electrodes are also used for electrophysiological measurements.

A generic textile electrode device is described in WO 01/02052 A2. Namely, there is shown a garment having at least one electrically conductive and one electrically insulating zone and suitable for use as a medical electrode. The known textile electrode device comprises a textile layer which can be prestressed against the body surface of an individual carrying the device and which is provided on the body-facing side with a group of electrodes. Inter alia, WO 01/02052 A2 also mentions embroidered electrodes which, in particular, may be formed from an electrically conductive yarn. Furthermore, WO 01/02052 A2 can be deduced that each electrode is connected to an associated electrical supply line. These electrical leads consist of wires or threads, for example of stainless steel or copper fibers, which overlap in a short end line like the stick electrode. Another embroidery electrode device of this kind is described in WO 2006/060934. The known textile electrode devices have considerable disadvantages, in particular in connection with the electrical leads. First, there is always the risk that wire wires under mechanical stress or stress tear at wire-shaped leads. Second, the electrical contact of the lead wire and the embroidered electrode may be particularly problematic under strain, since the contact zone is formed essentially by a comparatively small number of punctiform contact zones of the wire end with the embroidery thread of the electrode. These zones of contact are easily removed when stretching the textile layer and thus the electrical contact is interrupted.

A further disadvantage of the known textile electrode devices is that in certain situations to bring about optimal electrical contact between the electrode and the skin, a contacting medium, for example a conductive gel, has to be applied. This is not always desirable.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved textile electrode device with which in particular the disadvantages of the known devices can be avoided. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing such a textile electrode device.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a textile electrode device comprises a textile layer intended to be applied to the body surface of an individual carrying the device. On the body-facing side of this textile layer is provided with at least one embroidery electrode, which is formed of an electrically conductive yarn and electrically contacted with an associated electrical lead. The supply line is formed from an electrically conductive wire, which is provided with an electrically insulating sheath and embroidered on the body side facing away from the textile layer. there The supply line and the embroidery electrode overlap in a flat contact area. The sheath of the lead wire has a plurality of injury points in the contacting region, which form the electrical contact between the lead and the embroidery electrode. These points of injury can be generated in particular in the course of the embroidering process for attaching the embroidery electrode, as the embroidery needle scratches the insulating sheathing of the yarn forming the electrical lead when it is pierced into the contact area. In addition to or as an alternative to this mechanical process, additional damage to the cladding by means of laser light, ultrasound or heat can be caused and thus an even better contacting can be achieved.

The term "areal contacting area" in the present context should be understood to mean that the embroidery electrode and the associated supply line have an overlapping area which is not vemachlässigar compared to the total area of the embroidery electrode. Preferably, the overlap area makes up 5% to 10% of the electrode area. Geometrically, the overlapping area results from the product of the diameter of the lead wire and the length of the wire section overlapping the embroidery electrode.

The term "textile layer" is to be understood in the sense of a thin and flexible planar layer; In addition to various woven and knitted fabrics, these also include suitable films and membranes, such as, for example, the hydrophilic or vapor-permeable membranes used for functional clothing.

The inventive textile electrode device is characterized by various advantages compared to the prior art. In particular, a good and reliable electrical contact between the supply line and the embroidery electrode is ensured. Due to the omission of the wire-shaped supply lines, probably a tearing of the electrical contact as well as the inconvenience of bruises avoided. Since the electrical lead is embroidered from an electrically insulated yarn, unwanted short circuits and leakage currents are avoided in the supply line without additional measures such as a cover layer or the like would be necessary.

The inventive textile electrode device is particularly suitable for electrostimulation, but it can also be used for electrophysiological measurements. In principle, however, it can also be used for other medical or non-medical applications.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned textile electrode apparatus comprises the steps of

a) attaching the electrical lead on the first side of the textile layer by embroidering an electrically conductive yarn provided with an electrically insulating sheath, thereby forming an embroidered trace; and

b) attaching the embroidery electrode on the second side of the textile layer by embroidering an electrically conductive yarn, wherein the embroidery electrode and the electrical supply overlap in a planar contact area, and wherein the embroidering of the embroidery electrode has a multiplicity of points of injury in the envelope of the embroidery electrode causes the supply of forming yarn and thus an electrical contact of embroidery electrode and

Feed line generated in the areal contacting area.

In this case, the said second side of the textile layer is provided as the body-facing side of the textile electrode device. The inventive method is characterized inter alia by the fact that first the textile layer can be embroidered with the desired arrangement of interconnects and then embroidered in a single operation, the electrodes and contacted at the same time with the leads.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the embroidered conductor track serving as an electrical lead is applied in a serpentine manner outside the contacting region, that is, with a large number of turns in the textile layer plane. This ensures that, despite a comparatively low inherent extensibility of the conductor track, an elongation of the textile layer along the conductor track direction is possible, since the distance between the turns is increased with such an expansion.

In principle, the electrical supply line can run linearly in the contacting region, with as large as possible a flat overlap region being present to form a good contact. If the width of the supply line is significantly smaller than the width or the diameter of the embroidery electrode, a spiral course of the supply line is advantageously provided in the contacting region. For example, the supply line initially runs in an area near the edge of the embroidery electrode and subsequently describes a spiral in the direction of the embroidery electrode center. But it can also be used other geometric lines that result in the longest possible overlap of lead and embroidery electrode.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the textile electrode device has a second textile layer on the side of the first textile layer facing away from the body, wherein the first textile layer is comparatively elastic and the second textile layer is comparatively inelastic. Furthermore, a padding element is arranged between the two textile layers over which the first textile layer is biased including the embroidery electrode, wherein the two textile layers in a surrounding the padding element edge zone secured together, in particular glued together. The padding element used is advantageously a cushion-like part, for example of an elastic spacer knitted fabric. With this configuration, a good pressure of the stick electrode against the skin of the individual carrying the device can be achieved.

For the production of such a textile electrode device, the following process steps are carried out following process step b):

c) on the first side of the first, comparatively elastic textile layer, the padding element and the second, comparatively inelastic textile layer are applied in such a way that the padding element is between the two textile layers and opposite the embroidery electrode;

d) the first textile layer including the embroidery electrode is biased by the padding element; and

e) the two textile layers are fastened together in a peripheral zone surrounding the cushioning element.

Advantageously, the two textile layers are glued together in step e), wherein in particular a thermosetting adhesive, for example in the form of a hot-adhesive film, is used. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a hot-adhesive film is arranged between the two textile layers in step c) at least in said edge zone, and then steps d) and e) are effected by pressing a heated stamp. According to a further aspect of the invention, a textile electrode device is provided in which the embroidery electrode is formed from said electrically conductive yarn and from a moisture-storing thread. Preferably, the moisture-storing thread has a water retention capacity of at least 40%, based on the dry weight. For example, cotton threads can be used for this purpose; However, particularly suitable are threads of rayon or viscose. Such embroidery electrodes are characterized by an improved electrical contact with the skin of the wearer, whereby it is generally possible to dispense with the attachment of a contacting medium. Particularly suitable are such electrodes in endurance athletes or in other applications, which are associated with a relatively strong release of condensation. This principle can basically be applied to any type of embroidery electrodes. For example, an improved electrical contact with the skin of the wearer can be achieved even with an embroidery electrode known per se according to WO 2006/060934 by the additional embroidering with a moisture-storing thread.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a textile electrode device is provided which has controllable pressure means for adjusting the pressure of the embroidery electrode against the skin of an individual carrying the device. Such pressure means may comprise, for example, a controllable air cushion or an electrical actuator element. With such a configuration, the pressure can be built up individually or automatically as needed. In particular, the pressure can be significantly reduced in periods of rest, in which is not measured or stimulated, so no contact must exist. Accordingly, the pressure is temporarily increased only during the measuring or stimulation phases. This results in a considerable improvement in comfort for the wearer, especially when the textile electrode device has to be worn for hours or even days. Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

1 shows a textile electrode device, in plan view of the body-facing side of the textile layer;

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in a schematic sectional view along the section H-II of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the device of FIG. 2, illustrating a yarn course; FIG.

4 shows a section of a further textile electrode device, in a schematic sectional representation;

5 shows an arrangement for producing the device of FIG. 4, in a schematic sectional view, in an initial position of the press-bonding operation; and

Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of Fig. 4, in a schematic sectional view, in an end position of the Pressklebevorgangs.

Ways to carry out the invention

The textile electrode device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a textile layer 4 which can be prestressed against the body surface 2 of an individual carrying the device and which is provided on the body-facing side with a group of flat-shaped embroidery electrodes 6. The embroidery electrodes are formed from an electrically conductive yarn 8. As a rule, such a textile device comprises an electrode group comprising at least two embroidery electrodes, but in principle two or more textile electrode devices, each with only one embroidery electrode, could also be used. The embroidery electrode 6 is connected to an associated electrical lead 10, which is formed as an embroidered conductor track on the body side facing away from the textile layer and overlaps with the embroidery electrode in a flat Kontaktierungsbe-. The supply line 10 comprises a provided with an electrically insulating sheath electrically conductive wire 11, for example, a commercial electric wire with electrically conductive core and an electrically insulating plastic sheath. The supply line 10 is fixed to the textile layer 4 with a first thread 12 and a second thread 12a.

The embroidery electrode 6 is embroidered by the textile layer 4 including the supply line 10, wherein a braid is preferably used for this purpose. The sheath of the electrically conductive wire 11 has a plurality of injury points in the contacting region. As a result, there is contact between the electrically conductive yarn 8 forming the embroidery electrode and the electrically conductive core of the wire 11 forming the lead.

As electrically conductive yarn 8 for the embroidery electrode 6, for example, a stickable metal-coated monofilament or multifilament yarn made of polyester is used. Such a thread, e.g. a silver-coated, twisted PES 24x1 thread has good electrical conductivity. However, it is also possible to use less conductive materials, such as carbon threads or metal strands, since the many transverse contacts of the embroidery can nevertheless produce a good conductive electrode surface.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the supply lines 10 are guided in parallel at their end 14 facing away from the electrode surface 6 at a grid spacing. This allows flanging a flat ribbon connector to the textile fabric with the embroidered leads, as is common in computer interconnect technology. A multichannel electrostimulator not described here can be connected to this ribbon connector, which can supply each electrode surface with individual power. Another way of contacting tion is a connection by means of appropriately designed electrically conductive push buttons. As an alternative to the electrostimulator, however, it is also possible to connect a measuring device for carrying out electrophysiological measurements. In addition, it is possible to use one part of the stick electrodes as measuring electrodes and another part as stimulating electrodes.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1 in one of the embroidery electrodes, the leads 10 in the contacting region with the respective associated embroidery electrode 6 are made spirally, which results in a large overlap region. As a result, the entire electrode surface can be supplied as homogeneously as possible with electricity.

Depending on the elasticity of the textile layer, moreover, the electrical leads 10 are not rectilinear, but guided serpentine, so that the elasticity of the structure is not affected by the leads.

If necessary, the textile layer on the body-facing side is covered with a contacting medium, which covers the embroidery electrodes.

For the production of the device described above, the electrical supply line 10 is first attached to the first side of the textile layer 4, wherein the provided with an electrically insulating sheath electrically conductive wire 11 is embroidered. Subsequently, the embroidery electrode 6 is attached to the second side of the textile layer 4 by embroidering the electrically conductive yarn 8 through the textile layer 4, including the supply line 10, so that the embroidery electrode and the electrical supply line overlap in a two-dimensional contacting region. When embroidering the embroidery electrode 6, a multiplicity of points of injury is caused in the sheath of the wire 11 forming the lead, and thus the required electrical contacting of the embroidery electrode and the lead in the areal contacting area is produced. Another embodiment of the textile electrode device is shown in FIG. As in the case of the first embodiment, it comprises a textile layer 4 which has an embroidery electrode 6 on the side facing the body and an electrical supply line 10 connected to the embroidery electrode 6 on the side facing away from the body. The method of attachment and the electrical contact between lead and embroidery electrode are realized in the same manner as in the first embodiment. On the side facing away from the body of the first textile layer 4 is a second textile layer 14. In this case, the first textile layer 4 comparatively elastic and the second textile layer 14 comparatively inelastic. Furthermore, a padding element 16 is arranged between the two textile layers, via which the first textile layer 4 including the embroidery electrode 6 is biased. The two textile layers are fastened to one another in a peripheral zone 18 surrounding the cushioning element 16.

To produce such a textile electrode device, the first textile layer 4 is first of all equipped, as described above, with the electrical supply line (s) 10 or with the embroidery electrode (s) 6. The upholstery element 16 and then the second textile layer 14 are then applied to the first side of the first textile layer 4 provided on the side facing away from the body, so that the cushioning element 16 is located between the two textile layers 4 and 14 and there in the zone opposite the embroidery electrode 6 , Then, the first textile layer 4 including the embroidery electrode 6 is biased by the cushioning member 16. Finally, the two textile layers are fastened to each other in an edge zone 18 surrounding the cushioning element, for example by gluing.

Advantageously, the above manufacturing method is performed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The arrangement used for this purpose comprises a base part 20 with a silicone pad 22, which has an upper end face 24 with a recess 26 for the embroidery electrode. A fixing frame 28 arranged above the base part 20 is provided with a lower end face 30, which gene, the upper end surface 24 of the base member 20 is pressed. Accordingly, when the fixing frame is lowered, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a marginal clamping zone 32 is defined between the fixing frame and the base part. In addition, the arrangement comprises a heatable punch member 34, which is received in a recess 36 of the fixing frame 28 in a fully slidable manner and can be pushed downwards. Due to the fact that the lower recess 26 has a smaller inner diameter than the recess 36 or the outer diameter of the punch member 34, the inner part of the upper end face 24 of the base part 20 forms a lower stop for the punch member 34.

To produce the textile electrode device of FIG. 4, a textile layer 4 provided with embroidery electrode 6 and supply line 10 is first placed on the base part 20. The body-facing side of the textile layer 4 is directed downwards. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the textile layer 4 is to be chosen so large that it covers the upper end face 24 of the base part 20. Subsequently, the fixing frame 28 is placed on the base member 20 and biased down against this. The textile layer 4 is clamped between the base part 20 and fixing frame 28. Then, a padding element 16 is placed on the middle part of the textile layer 4, ie on the back of the embroidery electrode 6. Thereafter, first, a hot-adhesive film 38, the dimensions of which substantially correspond to the internal dimensions of the recess 36, followed by a second, comparatively inelastic textile layer 14, is placed on the cushioning element 16. Finally, the punch member 34 is inserted from above into the recess 36. Thus, the initial position shown in Fig. 5 is reached.

As a result, the preheated to about 14O ⁰ C to 200 ⁰ C punch member 34 is pressed down. In this way, the second textile layer 14, the hot-adhesive film 38 and the padding element 16 are biased against the first textile layer 4 together with the embroidery electrode 6 and the lead 10. Upon reaching the lower stop position, the hot-adhesive film 38 is at least in an edge zone 18 between see the two textile layers compressed and thus forms a marginal bonding zone.

Although a cylindrically symmetrical arrangement has been described in the above example, other cross-sectional shapes can also be used, depending on the electrode shape. In addition, instead of a circular disk-shaped hot-adhesive film, which covers substantially the entire rear surface of the electrode, for example, an annular film can be used, which covers only the edge zone 18. To produce a textile electrode device with a plurality of embroidery electrodes, a suitably configured system with several punches can be provided.

In a further, not shown here textile electrode device, the embroidery electrode is formed from said electrically conductive yarn and additionally from a moisture-storing thread, for example made of cotton or viscose in particular. Such a device can be produced, for example, as follows. First, a first textile layer is provided with the electrical lead, which may be an embroidered trace or an embroidered wire. Thereafter, a second, provided for the body-facing side textile layer, preferably a thin membrane, placed. Now, in the area of the embroidery electrode to be created, embroidering said moisture-storing thread through both layers, whereby optionally a conductive bobbin thread can be entangled. Finally, stitch through both layers with conductive thread (front and back). Thus, a textile electrode device is provided per se. If desired, a third textile layer is applied on the non-body side. For the electrical connection to a power source, for example, a push button system is used, which leads from the first textile layer through the third textile layer to the outside. As explained above, the device can be glued together and optionally equipped with a padding element.

Claims

claims 1. Textile electrode device, in particular for electrostimulation or for electrophysiological measurements, with a first textile layer to be applied to the body surface (2) of an individual carrying the device (4), which is provided on the body-facing side with at least one embroidery electrode (6) which is formed from an electrically conductive yarn (8) and electrically contacted with an associated electrical supply line (10), wherein the supply line from one with an electrically insulating covering provided electrically conductive wire (11) is formed and embroidered on the body side facing away from the textile layer, characterized in that the electrical lead and the embroidery electrode overlap in a flat contacting region and that the enclosure of the lead in Kontaktierungsbereich a plurality of injury len, which form the electrical contact between the lead and the embroidery electrode. 2. Textile electrode device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical supply line runs outside the serpentine pentine-like manner. 3. textile electrode device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical supply line in the contacting region is spiral. 4. textile electrode device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises on the body side facing away from the first textile layer (4) a second textile layer (14), wherein the first textile layer comparatively elastic and the second textile layer is relatively non-elastic and wherein between the two textile layers a padding element (16) is arranged, via which the first textile layer including the Embroidery electrode is biased, wherein the two textile layers are secured in a peripheral region surrounding the padding element (18) to each other. 5. textile electrode device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two textile layers are glued together in said edge zone. 6. textile electrode device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the embroidery electrode is formed from said electrically conductive yarn (8) and from a moisture-storing thread. 7. Textile electrode device according to claim 6, characterized in that the moisture-storing thread has a water retention capacity of at least 40%, based on the dry weight. 8. textile electrode device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has controllable pressure means for adjusting the pressure of the stick electrode against the skin of an individual carrying the device. 9. A method for producing a textile electrode device according to claim 1, comprising the steps: a) attaching the electrical lead on the first side of the textilla by embroidering an electrically conductive wire provided with an electrically insulating sheath; and b) attaching the embroidery electrode on the second side of the textile layer, being embroidered with an electrically conductive yarn, wherein the embroidery electrode and the electrical lead overlap in a planar contacting region, and wherein the piercing causes a plurality of points of injury in the sheath of the wire forming the lead, and thus produces an electrical contact between the embroidery electrode formed and the lead; wherein said second side of the textile layer is provided as a body-facing side of the textile electrode device. 10. The method according to claim 9 for the production of a textile electrode device according to claim 4, characterized by the following method steps following the method step b): c) on the first side of the first, comparatively elastic textile layer, the cushioning element and the second, relatively inelastic textile layer are applied such that the cushioning element is located between the two textile layers and opposite the embroidery electrode; d) the first textile layer including the embroidery electrode is biased by the padding element; and e) the two textile layers are fastened together in an edge zone surrounding the cushioning element. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that in step e), the two textile layers glued together. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that in step c) at least in said edge zone, a hot-adhesive film between see arranges the two textile layers and then causes the steps d) and e) by pressing a heated stamp. 13. Textile electrode device, in particular for electrostimulation or for electrophysiological measurements, to be applied to the body surface of a device supporting the individual textile layer, which is provided on the body-facing side with at least one embroidery electrode, which consists of an electrically conductive yarn and an associated electrical supply line is electrically contacted, characterized in that the embroidery electrode additionally comprises a moisture-storing thread.