CN105011927B - Neck-wearing type electrocardiogram detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a neck-worn ECG detection device, comprising a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a first electrode and a second electrode located on the first surface, an attachment component combined with the housing for attachment to a user's neck, and an ECG signal extraction circuit for performing ECG signal extraction in cooperation with the first and second electrodes, wherein when the user wears the device through the attachment component, the housing is arranged in front of the user's torso, and when the user's hand applies force to the housing in a direction toward the torso, the housing is fixed between the hand and the torso, and a stable contact is generated between the first and second electrodes and the skin in front of the torso, thereby causing the device to enter a state where ECG signals can be extracted. The present invention can easily achieve stable electrode contact and obtain a clear ECG.

Description

Neck-worn ECG detection device

technical field

The present invention relates to a neck-worn ECG detection device, and furthermore, the present invention also relates to a neck-worn ECG detection device which has a stable electrode contact mode and can obtain clear and stable ECG signals.

Background technique

It is known that the electrocardiogram detection device is the main way to check various heart diseases, for example, whether there is arrhythmia, myocardial hypertrophy caused by hypertension or heart valve disease, myocardial infarction, or stenosis.

When people feel heart discomfort and go to the hospital for examination, traditional ECG detection devices are mostly used, such as 12-lead ECG detection, which can detect various heart problems in detail, but if the source of cardiac discomfort If it is an occasional symptom, for example, arrhythmia, it is likely that the heart condition at the onset cannot be measured during the test. Therefore, in response to such occasional symptoms, a Holter electrocardiograph is often used for long-term monitoring. The way of time detection, for example, wear for 24 hours to several days, it is hoped to record the ECG when symptoms appear in this way, and similar to the Holt type ECG machine, the ECG event recorder (ECG event recorder) It is also a long-term wearing method, but the difference is that it allows the user to decide the recording time, for example, when the heart feels uncomfortable, and the electrocardiogram is recorded by means of button activation, for example, the device does not usually record. , but only when the user pressed the button, the ECG was recorded for 30 seconds before and after the pressing time. In addition to recording occasional symptoms, Holt's electrocardiograph is also commonly used to monitor the heart after heart surgery or taking therapeutic drugs to confirm the effect of treatment.

Whether it is a Hult-type electrocardiograph or an ECG event recorder, the setup method requires that multiple electrodes for obtaining electrocardiograms be pasted on the body and connected to a device through a connecting cable. Therefore, the user must always be during the measurement. It is quite inconvenient to stick the electrodes and wear the device on the body, and it is easy to cause skin discomfort due to sticking the electrodes for a long time. These are the reasons why users are discouraged. In addition, sometimes even after a long time. After wearing the test, no ECG was recorded for the analysis of episodic symptoms because there was no disease. Moreover, such detection must be completed with the assistance of professional medical staff. For example, the sticking of electrodes must be completed in the hospital, and usually after a long period of measurement is completed, the doctor downloads and records it. The analysis of the electrocardiogram requires at least several days to know what is wrong with the heart. Therefore, it is not only complicated but also lacks real-time performance.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings, a further improvement is proposed to be a hand-held ECG detection device, which solves the problem of having to wear the device on the body for a long time by using dry electrodes that do not need to be attached to the body, and simplifies the operation. The complexity of detection. As disclosed in US7149571 and US7197351, the hand-held ECG detection device is provided with dry electrodes on the surface of the device, and can perform ECG detection by touching the hand and/or the body surface at any time when required. Therefore, no longer Limited by the time of wearing on the body and the sticking of electrodes, it can be used to monitor the condition of the heart for a longer time. Moreover, such an ECG detection device is usually equipped with an analysis program and a display screen, which allows the user to measure the heart. The test results can be known immediately, and there is no need to wait for a return visit to the hospital. Therefore, it is quite suitable for home use, and it also provides a simple way for users who are highly concerned about their own heart health to regularly understand the heart condition.

Later, with the popularity of portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, in recent years, an ECG detection device combined with a mobile phone has emerged. Using dry electrodes, the only difference is that the device is controlled through the operation interface of the mobile phone. This method allows users who need to monitor the heart to reduce the number of devices they carry with them.

However, the biggest problem faced by the portable hand-held ECG detection device is also caused by the operation by hand. When using the form of touching both hands, as shown in Figure 1, the first problem is that the signal is weak. Because the distance between the hands and the heart is far, and the ECG signal is originally small and weak, it is very vulnerable to environmental noise. This makes the analysis more difficult. Another problem is that the operation stability is low. The measurement method with both hands is prone to unstable phenomena such as hand shaking during the measurement, thus causing the measured ECG to appear. Baseline drift, waveform deformation, etc. affect the analysis. Moreover, when the user wants to maintain a stable hand and the muscles are tense, or when the user applies force to ensure contact with the electrodes, it is easy to produce EMG that affects the signal analysis due to force. Signal.

When using the method of holding the device with one hand and the other side touching the chest, as shown in Figure 2, compared with the two-hand operation, it can be more stable, and the obtained signal is also stronger. However, this operation method has the biggest scruple, that is It is necessary to lift the clothes to touch the chest to measure, which naturally limits the occasions that can be used. In addition, the ups and downs of the chest cavity caused by breathing will still cause the relative movement between the electrodes that touch the chest and the electrodes that touch the hands, which will also affect the Measured electrocardiogram.

In addition, the hand-held ECG detection device must be held by the hand to operate. Under the ergonomic requirements and the need to display the results, the size cannot be too small, and it is still a certain burden to carry; moreover, due to the electrode It is not always installed on the body. Therefore, more steps are required when testing is performed. For example, the testing can be started by taking out the device and then turning it on again. Therefore, the testing opportunity may be missed.

Furthermore, there is another heart rate monitoring device that is worn on the body by means of a neck hanging, such as those disclosed in US8668643, US20130345578, US20080287768, and US20070106145. Although this type of device is easy to carry, it lacks a fixed force compared to the previous operation methods such as sticking electrodes or applying force on the surface of the electrodes due to the way in which the electrodes naturally touch the body. The skin-to-skin contact is very unstable, so a clear and stable ECG cannot be obtained, so it is not suitable for judging whether the heart is abnormal, for example, whether there is arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and other symptoms. The special configuration of the neck also leads to many limitations in use.

Therefore, there is indeed a need for an ECG detection device that can solve the above-mentioned shortcomings, so that the user can use it more conveniently, and at the same time, it can also minimize the influence of various uncertain factors during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which can be naturally set at a position where the ECG signal is stable and easy to operate through the neck as a medium set on the user's body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which can simultaneously provide a simple one-handed operation mode and stable electrode contact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which can perform measurement without removing clothes and obtain a strong ECG signal, so that it can no longer be limited by the location, and can perform cardiac measurements at any time. Electrical measurement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which has a small size, is convenient to wear for a long time, and can meet the needs of users to measure at any time. When there is a problem and/or user needs, it transmits data and/or information to a remote monitoring center for real-time response, so it is quite suitable for home long-term care needs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which can be worn on the body without affecting the user's activities, so it is suitable for performing ECG at a specific time and/or before and after a specific activity, for example, before and after exercise signal extraction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which can be hidden in clothes for detection, and display relevant information of ECG detection on an external device, such as a mobile phone, in real time, so as to meet the needs of the user. usage habit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a neck-worn ECG detection device, which realizes both neck-worn and hand-held operation modes through special electrode position design, so as to further provide users with a more selective one-machine multi-purpose device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a neck-worn ECG detection device includes a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a first electrode and a second electrode, located on the first surface On the surface, an attachment component is combined with the casing for attaching to the neck of a user, and an ECG signal extraction circuit is used to cooperate with the first and second electrodes to extract an ECG signal, wherein, When the user wears the device through the attachment assembly, the housing is positioned in front of the user's torso, and when the user's hands apply force to the housing in a direction toward the torso, the housing is It is fixed between the hand and the body, and produces a stable contact between the first and second electrodes and the skin in front of the torso, so that the device enters a state of extracting ECG signals.

Preferably, the stable contact achieves a switch to enable the device to enter the ECG-extractable state, or, alternatively, the stable contact causes a physical change of the first and second electrodes to conform to a preset range, so that the device enters the state of extractable ECG signal, and the physical change is detected by a physical state detection unit, wherein the physical state detection unit can be implemented as a pressure sensing module, an impedance sensing circuit, a capacitive sensing circuit, or a switch. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, when the device according to the present invention enters the state of extracting the ECG signal, the ECG signal extraction will automatically start after a certain time.

Furthermore, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention can also provide a joint operation mode to jointly perform ECG signal extraction with an external device in a wired or wireless manner. Here, the external device can receive the ECG signal in real time. And display the ECG signal and related information from the ECG detection device, and start the ECG signal recording for a specific period by the user through the external device, or, alternatively, the device according to the present invention can also enter the After the state of the extractable ECG signal, the ECG signal extraction is started under the control of the external device, and the external device may also include an algorithm to provide information related to arrhythmia. In addition, further, the external device The device can be connected to a remote monitoring center through a network, and when the ECG signal meets a default condition, the external device can automatically send a notification signal to the remote monitoring center.

In addition, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention may include an information providing module to provide information related to the user's ECG detection, wherein the methods of providing information include screen display, sound changes, vibration changes, and visual changes , and, preferably, by loading an appropriate algorithm, information related to arrhythmia can also be provided. In addition, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention may further include a motion sensor to detect the movement of the user's body.

In a preferred embodiment, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention may further comprise a third electrode located on a third surface adjacent to the first surface, and a fourth electrode located on the third surface adjacent to the first surface. On a fourth surface adjacent to the first surface and opposite to the third surface, for performing a hand-held ECG signal extraction, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode can be implemented in parallel connection , and the second electrode and the fourth electrode can be implemented as a parallel connection, or, alternatively, the first electrode and the third electrode can be implemented as one piece, and the second electrode and the fourth electrode can be implemented as One piece.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a neck-worn ECG detection device includes a casing having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a first electrode and a second electrode, respectively located on the On the first surface and the second surface of the casing, an attachment component is combined with the casing to attach to the neck of a user, and an ECG signal extraction circuit is used to cooperate with the first and second ECG electrodes are used to extract an ECG signal, and a physical state detection unit is used to sense a physical change generated when at least one electrode is in contact with the user's skin surface. When the device is installed, the casing is arranged in front of the user's torso, and when the user's hand exerts force on the second electrode on the second surface in a direction toward the torso, the casing is fixed on the hand and the body. between the torso and between the first electrode on the first surface and the skin in front of the torso to create a stable contact, and when the stable contact makes the physical change conform to a default range, the device enters an extractable ECG Signal status.

Preferably, the physical state detection unit is implemented as a pressure sensing module, an impedance sensing circuit, a capacitance sensing circuit, or a switch. Also preferably, at least one of the first and second electrodes is implemented as a capacitive electrode, an inductive electrode, or an electromagnetic electrode.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention may further include a photovolume change (PPG) sensor to obtain blood physiological information.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows an operation mode of a known hand-held ECG detection device;

FIG. 2 shows another operation mode of the conventional hand-held ECG detection device;

3 shows a schematic diagram of a neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 shows a schematic diagram of the use of a neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

5A-5B show two usage modes of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows the circuit block diagram of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention;

7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrode arrangement of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the casing of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

9 shows another circuit block diagram of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention;

10 shows a schematic diagram of the neck-worn ECG detection device of the present invention when used together with an external device according to a preferred embodiment;

11 shows a schematic diagram of a built-in connector of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

12A-12B show two electrode configurations of a neck-worn ECG detection device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 13A-13B show two handheld operation modes of the neck-worn ECG detection device as shown in Figures 12A-12B;

FIG. 14 shows the electrode configuration of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the use of the neck-worn ECG detection device as shown in FIG. 14 .

Among them, the reference numerals are described as follows:

10 Neck-worn ECG detection device

12 shell

121 Movable housing part

122 First surface

124 Second surface

126 Third surface

128 Fourth surface

14 Dependent Components

16,162,164,166a,166b,168a,168b Electrodes

22 analog signal processing unit

24 processing units

26 Transmission module

28 batteries

32 Part 1 Housing

34 Second part of the housing

40 Physical state detection unit

50 External Devices

60 connector

Detailed ways

In view of the purpose of allowing the user to record the electrocardiogram in real time, the device of the present invention is implemented in a wearable form, and among many ways in which the electrocardiogram detection device can be set on the body, the present invention chooses a neck wear, as shown in FIG. 4 . The main reasons for wearing it are as follows.

First, through the form of neck hanging, the device can be naturally placed in front of the torso, such as below the collarbone, in front of the chest, in front of the abdomen, etc., because as known to those skilled in the art, the torso is the area with the strongest ECG signals , therefore, such a setting first ensures that the obtained signal has sufficient strength.

Furthermore, compared with the chest strap form in which the device can also be placed on the chest, the neck-mounted form brings much less restraint to the user, thus providing a more comfortable use experience.

In addition, the neck-worn form also allows the device to be naturally positioned between the clothes and the torso, and the action of the electrodes in contact with the torso can be achieved without lifting the clothes, which eliminates the limitation of use occasions and allows users to no longer be deterred by having to lift the clothes. , or succumb to the signal measurement method of hands with weaker signals.

In addition, the present invention adopts dry electrodes, so that the user can use it at any time without worrying about the problem of electrode setting, the trouble of having to use conductive paste, and the doubt that the user may experience skin discomfort.

Therefore, by adopting the neck-worn method, the present invention overcomes various disadvantages of the prior art, such as the need to stick electrodes, possibly causing skin discomfort, insufficient signal strength, lack of real-time performance, and need to lift the garment for measurement, etc. .

And because the neck wear is adopted, the user can wear it on the body for a long time without any burden, and the ECG signal with sufficient strength can be obtained naturally and easily at any time. Therefore, it is quite suitable for use in the field of home care. For example, , the user can wear the device on the neck in daily life, and when it is necessary at any time, for example, when the heart is uncomfortable, the ECG signal detection can be started in real time, or the ECG detection can be performed regularly every day to effectively grasp the own heart changes.

In addition, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention is also quite suitable for use during exercise. For example, the user can wear the device according to the present invention during exercise without feeling burdened, and rest in the middle of exercise. You can directly measure the time of exercise to know the impact of exercise on the heart, for example, whether the exercise intensity is sufficient (whether the heartbeat reaches the expected target), or whether the heart is abnormal, etc., especially exercise is a good time for arrhythmia , therefore, the electrocardiogram when arrhythmia occurs can be recorded in real time through the device of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the neck-worn ECG detection device 10 according to the present invention has a casing 12 , an attachment component 14 , and at least two electrodes 16 , wherein the attachment component 14 is implemented with the The housing 12 is combined and can be attached to the user's neck, so that the housing 12 is located in front of the user's torso, for example, below the collarbone, in front of the chest, in front of the abdomen, etc., as shown in Figure 4, and the electrode 16 is located on the surface of the housing 12 .

In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes according to the present invention are implemented on the same surface of the housing, such as the first surface 122 in FIG. 3 , that is, when the housing is disposed on the When facing the front of the torso, on the surface facing the torso, as shown in Figure 4, even if it is covered in clothing, the contact between the two electrodes and the skin can be easily achieved, so the detection can be performed without lifting the clothing. The basis of such an embodiment is that, through the form of neck wear, the housing of the device according to the present invention is set at a position around the heart, where the strength of the ECG signal is sufficient, and the restrictions on the placement of the electrodes are small, For example, the distance can be short.

In the present invention, the electrodes are arranged on the casing, not on the belt body as in the known technology, except that the stable contact of the electrodes on the belt body is not easy to achieve, the main reasons are:

First of all, as mentioned above, the vicinity of the heart, that is, the body, is the clearest sampling position for the heart signal. Moreover, because the two electrodes are very close to each other and the circuit loop is short, various kinds of noise can be avoided to interfere with the ECG measurement, especially for Common mode noise such as 50Hz/60Hz can be easily eliminated.

Furthermore, when the electrodes are all located on the casing, the user can easily move the electrode positions by moving the casing, thereby changing the relative positions of the electrodes and the heart, and obtaining electrocardiograms of various angles.

When performing ECG measurement, every two electrodes can obtain an ECG at an angle, that is, the location of the electrodes determines the projection angle of the cardiac electrical activity reflected by the ECG. The site may be located in any cardiac position. For example, the examination of myocardial infarction needs to check whether ST drift due to myocardial necrosis occurs in the ECG waveform, but it may not be detected at certain angles because of its location. At this time, it is possible to check it out through ECGs from different angles. Therefore, obtaining ECGs from different angles is of great help in judging heart disease.

Therefore, when the electrodes are all located on the casing, the electrode position can be easily moved by moving the casing. In addition, the casing is located in front of the body and is very close to the heart. Even a short distance movement can obtain angular differences Largely different ECGs, even just turning the housing, for example, a rectangular housing rotated 90 degrees, as shown in Figures 5A-5B, can have the same effect, so with this setup, even very A simple neck-worn ECG detection device can also provide users with a multi-angle ECG and provide more information about the state of the heart.

Therefore, for the device of the present invention, it is because the electrodes are arranged on the housing that the shortcomings of the known neck-worn ECG detection device can be overcome, thereby providing the user with the most convenient and unburdened without losing signal strength. use experience.

In addition, setting the electrodes through a shell with a certain hardness also improves the contact stability between the electrodes and the skin. In addition, the two electrodes are located on the same shell plane, and the relative positions between the two are fixed. , therefore, even if there are body movements such as breathing during the measurement, it can effectively maintain good contact stability.

As mentioned above, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention uses dry electrodes, therefore, the electrodes can be made of stainless steel as generally known and fixed to the surface of the casing; as another option , the electrode can also be implemented as, for example, a local conductive coating on the surface of the casing, or the casing itself is a conductive material, and the electrode position is constructed by coating an insulating material. Therefore, there are various possibilities, no limit.

In addition, since the present invention adopts the form of neck wear, and the device is hidden in the clothes, the use of non-conductive electrodes can also be considered. For example, the ECG signal of the hand can be obtained even through the clothes, and the configuration restrictions of the electrodes are also reduced, so that there are more changes according to the operating habits. When such a non-conductive electrode is used, a casing made of non-conductive material can also be used as an electrode, for example, a part of a capacitive electrode.

Here, the most easily implemented form of the attachment component is a belt around the neck, such as a necklace or a collar, etc., but it is not limited, as long as the shell can be disposed through the neck, it belongs to the present invention The scope covered, and the material used can also be changed according to actual needs. For example, it can be a belt body made of various materials such as fabric, metal, rubber, etc., without limitation.

Furthermore, furthermore, it is possible to assist the orientation of the casing by attaching components, as shown in Figures 5A-5B, by designing the combination between the additional components and the casing, the surface of the casing with electrodes can be made more flexible. Naturally towards the torso to ensure proper contact between the electrodes and the skin.

Next, please refer to FIG. 6 , which shows the ECG signal extraction circuit of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention, including an analog signal processing unit 22 , a processing unit 24 , a transmission module 26 , and a battery 28 , The analog signal processing unit 22 is used to receive the ECG signal extracted through the electrode 16. The processing unit 24 acts as the control center of the entire ECG detection device, and processes the extracted ECG signal. The module 26 is used for external transmission, and the battery 28 is used to provide the power required for operating the ECG detection device.

Here, the ECG signal extraction circuit can be implemented as being accommodated in the housing 12 , or can also be implemented as dispersed in the housing 12 and the attachment component 14 , or separately provided in the attachment component 14 , without limitation , which can be changed according to the actual implementation situation. For example, in addition to the function of supporting the housing, the attachment component can also be implemented to have a bearing function. Placed in it, here, further, the attachment assembly can also be implemented in that the space for accommodating the circuit is communicated with the housing; or, the number of the housing can also be implemented as more than one, so as to accommodate more circuits , and each surface of the casing may have electrodes, or only part of the casings may have electrodes. For example, only a start switch may be provided on the casing, etc. Therefore, there is no limitation.

When the user is using the device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the device can be naturally placed in front of the torso, such as under the collarbone, in front of the chest, in front of the abdomen, etc. Then, just make sure the surface with the electrodes is facing the torso, so that when a test is needed, you can easily use your hand to force the case and bring the surface of the case with the electrodes into contact with the skin, while Start a specific time, for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, ECG signal detection, or determine the length of time to be detected according to your own needs.

Here, it should be noted that, in general, the handheld ECG detection device will default to a measurement time, for example, 30 seconds or 1 minute, and automatically stop after the time is up, except that the duration of the cardiac sudden state is considered. In addition to the time, the user does not need to maintain the measurement posture for a long time, so as to avoid the situation of more unstable hand operation. However, the device of the present invention is in the form of a neck wear, and the factors of hand instability have been eliminated. Minimized, therefore, the user can decide the length of time to be measured each time according to actual needs. For example, when the device emits a sound reminder after the predetermined measurement time of 30 seconds, the user can still press the electrode continuously. The measurement continues without letting go so that all cardiac conditions can be fully recorded.

It should also be noted that the force applied to the housing is not limited to which part of the hand. For example, it can be fingers, palms (palms or backs of hands), wrists, arms, etc., as long as it is the hand that the user finds convenient. All parts can be detected, and the use of the left or right hand is not limited, and the user can freely perform the detection according to personal habits.

Since the contact between the electrode and the skin depends on the shell between the force applying hand and the skin, the shell needs to be able to correctly and properly conduct the force to the electrode and the skin. The surface of the shell that contacts the skin is implemented to have a structure that improves the contact stability of the electrodes. For example, when the shell is placed on the chest by the attachment assembly, the surface can be implemented as a curved surface to conform to the curve of the chest; or , if the attachment component sets the shell in front of the abdomen, the surface can be implemented as a plane; or, if the attachment component sets the shell below the clavicle, the surface can be implemented as a curved surface or a plane. In addition, in particular, in a preferred embodiment, the part of the casing where the electrodes are disposed can be implemented higher than the surrounding casing surface, as shown in FIG. Easier to achieve and also increases stability. Therefore, there is no limit.

Furthermore, due to the use of the neck hanging form, the size of the casing should not be too large to avoid excessive burden on the neck of the user, and there is also no specific restriction on the shape, for example, it can be rectangular, square, circular. , or irregular shape, which can be changed according to actual needs.

In addition, the material of the casing is also an important factor affecting the contact of the electrodes. It needs to be able to transmit the force applied by the hand to the electrodes and ensure stable contact between the electrodes and the skin. Therefore, the material used for the casing can have certain Hardness to ensure the correct transmission of force, for example, plastic, in addition, it can also be implemented in a flexible material, such as rubber, to increase the compliance with the skin, so the material can also have different choices, can vary with actual needs.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing can also be made of two materials, as shown in FIG. 8 , that is, the first part of the casing 32 facing the skin and used to carry the electrodes is made of a flexible material. , so that when the surface is in contact with the skin, it can naturally deform with the fluctuation of the contact area, so that the two are more compliant and the contact between the electrode and the skin is more stable. The second part of the shell 34 can be made of a harder material to effectively convey the pressing force. In this way, no matter where the shell is set, the contact between the electrodes and the skin will not be affected.

During the detection period, in addition to extracting the ECG signal, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention can also have the function of providing the user with information related to the detection period. For example, the device according to the present invention may include an information providing module to provide the user with information related to the usage situation and/or the extracted signal, wherein the information provided includes, but is not limited to, screen display, sound change , vibration changes, and visual changes, such as changes in the color and brightness of light-emitting components.

The content of the provided data may also have various possibilities. For example, when the user presses the casing and wants to start the measurement, the device can use the sound to notify the user that the detection has started, and notify the user when the predetermined detection time ends. The user can end the pressing action; or, when the detection starts, the user can be reminded that the current electrode contact condition is poor or the signal quality is poor, etc., so that the user can adjust the force applied or the position of the casing; During the detection, the user is reminded or notified of what happened. For example, the heartbeat change can be expressed by sound, such as using the same sound as the heartbeat frequency, or the heart state can be notified by sound, such as long and short tones indicating different states. In addition, further, user results may be provided after the detection is completed. Therefore, the method and content of the information provided are not limited, as long as the user can be accurately informed.

Since the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention is arranged in front of the user's torso and adopts the operation method of exerting force on the casing, therefore, in accordance with such operation behavior, the activation of the device and/or detection is not limited to the general opening. In addition to the power and/or startup detection methods, there are also various options. For example, a switch can be provided on the casing, which can be triggered by the force applied to the casing, and the device can enter to perform ECG signal extraction. state, to subsequently activate the device and/or detect; or, alternatively, the electrodes may be connected to a physical state detection unit 40, as shown in FIG. 9, to detect a physical change when the electrodes contact the skin, and Through this physical change, it can be known whether the contact between the electrode and the skin is sufficiently stable, and thus whether the device can perform ECG signal extraction.

Here, the physical changes include, but are not limited to, pressure changes and impedance changes. For example, the physical state detection unit 40 may include a pressure sensing module to know the pressure changes and determine whether the electrodes are pressed enough. , or the physical state detection unit can also be implemented as a switch, which can also know the pressure on the electrodes, or the physical state detection unit can also include an impedance sensing circuit or a capacitance sensing circuit to obtain Knowing the changes in the impedance and capacitance of the electrodes to determine whether ECG detection is possible, the physical state detection unit is implemented as a pressure sensing module, an impedance sensing circuit, a capacitance sensing circuit, or a switch, or at least The combination of the two is not limited, and the physical state detection component can be implemented to be connected to one of the electrodes, or to all the electrodes, depending on the actual implementation, which is also not limited.

Therefore, when making a judgment, if the switch is not completely switched, and/or the physical change does not meet a preset range, it means that the contact state between the electrodes and the skin is not sufficient for ECG signal extraction. Therefore, the device is in ECG signal extraction. The state that cannot be activated, if the switch has been fully switched and/or the physical change conforms to a preset range, it means that the electrode and the skin have reached enough contact for ECG signal extraction, therefore, the device converts the ECG signal Extraction can be activated state.

Here, in particular, it is also possible to control whether the electrodes can be used by judging whether the switch is completely switched, or whether the physical changes conform to a preset range, for example, whether the electrodes are turned on or not, that is, whether the electrodes are in an unusable state , until the switch is completely switched, or the physical change conforms to the preset range, the electrode is converted into a usable state, for example, turned on, so that the obtained ECG signal can be further ensured. It is more conducive to the accuracy of the analysis results.

Furthermore, after it is determined that the ECG signal can be extracted, there are also various options for how to start the device and/or detect. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention can be designed as , the device will automatically start to detect the ECG signal after a certain time, for example, after 3 seconds; or in another preferred embodiment, the device will not switch to the ECG signal after a certain time, for example, after 3 seconds. The ECG signal extraction state is performed, and if the extractable state continues, the ECG signal detection is started. Therefore, there are various possibilities, but the actual needs vary and there is no limit.

In addition, in conjunction with the above-mentioned starting and judging methods, the device according to the present invention can also be implemented in a state of signal extraction all the time, but only when the characteristics of the ECG signal are detected, the recording is performed, or the sampling frequency or signal magnification is adjusted. , in order to record all possible ECG signal changes more completely.

In another conception, the operation of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned independent operation mode, can also communicate with an external device 50 through its own transmission module, and use The two work together to complete the ECG signal detection, as shown in Figure 10.

Here, without limitation, the transmission module can be implemented to perform wired or wireless transmission, for example, USB wired connection, or wireless connection methods such as Bluetooth, 3G, wifi, and NFC, and the external device includes, but is not limited to , personal computers, smartphones, tablets, smart watches and other devices.

Since the device of the present invention is in the form of a neck wear, the device of the present invention is naturally hidden in the clothes, and therefore, the connection with the external device, such as a daily smart phone, can provide the user with more convenient operation.

When performing ECG signal extraction with an external device, there are various options for cooperation between the two. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the measurement can be viewed in real time through a corresponding application running on a mobile phone For example, heart rate changes or ECG waveforms, etc., and in another preferred embodiment, the obtained ECG signals can be directly stored on the mobile phone in addition to the display, and in particular, in another preferred embodiment In one embodiment, the user can first observe the waveform through the mobile phone, and then select the ECG signal interval to be stored. For example, as mentioned above, the user can adjust the angle of the casing and/or the casing before storing. The position where the body and the torso are in contact can obtain ECGs of different phases, and observe the waveforms in real time through the mobile phone, and then decide what ECG to record; or, alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the mobile phone can directly pass the application The program controls the operation of the neck-worn ECG detection device. For example, the user can start/stop the device and/or ECG signal extraction through the mobile phone, or perform device settings. Therefore, there is no limit, and there can be different divisions of labor between the two according to the actual use requirements.

Furthermore, the device according to the present invention can also be implemented to selectively operate alone or in cooperation with an external device. For example, when the detection is to be performed, the user can firstly confirm whether there is an external device by pressing the casing. If no external device is found, the ECG signal extraction is performed separately as described above. The external device, for example, the application program on the mobile phone has been opened and allowed to connect. At this time, the device enters the mode of connecting with the external device. After that, in one case, the user continues to press the shell again to achieve electrode contact and activate the heart. The electrical signal is extracted, and during the extraction, the ECG signal is displayed on the mobile phone in real time, or, in another case, after the user presses the shell again to achieve electrode contact, the device enters a state where the ECG signal can be extracted , and allows the user to start the extraction of ECG signals through the interface on the mobile phone.

By providing such a mode that can cooperate with an external device, the applicable scope of the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention becomes wider. For example, the display interface and storage of the external device can be used. space for personal heart health management to reduce the size and cost of the neck-mounted device and increase the willingness to use; or, through the network connection of the external device itself, such as the 3G network connection of the mobile phone, the ECG obtained The signal can be transmitted to the remote medical staff or monitoring center, or uploaded to the cloud for storage for medical staff to access. This transmission can be implemented by the user and set to be performed after a fixed period of time, such as a week One time, or it is automatically transmitted after each measurement, etc., without limitation; and further, it can also be implemented when the analysis result shows that the heart is abnormal, for example, it meets a default condition, such as the heart rate is too low , or when an abnormal rhythm or waveform occurs in the ECG, the device will automatically notify the remote monitoring center of the result in real time no matter what the setting is, so that the monitoring center can immediately understand the physical condition of the user. For example, if the abnormal heart is accompanied by When life is in danger, such real-time transmission can make rescue more real-time.

Next, after acquiring the ECG signal, the neck-worn ECG detection device according to the present invention provides several options for processing/analyzing the ECG signal. Analyze the ECG signal, and transmit the analysis result to the external device for display; or, the processing unit is implemented to perform only partial processing or analysis, and after transmission to the external device, the external device is used for further processing Alternatively, the ECG signal can be stored in the neck-worn device first, and then processed and analyzed by the external device after being transmitted to the external device.

The method of processing and the result of analysis depend on the difference in the calculation formula. For example, it can provide analysis of average heart rate, irregular heart rate, frequency pulse, bradycardia, etc., and can also provide more detailed analysis results, such as the type and type of arrhythmia, such as VEB, SVEB, AF, etc., and in addition to In addition to providing analysis of different diseases, various time-based analysis such as real-time analysis, beat-to-beat analysis, fixed time interval (for example, 30 seconds) analysis, and continuous analysis can also be performed according to different needs. There is no limit to the method of analysis. As mentioned above, the basis of these analyses lies in clear and stable ECG signals, and because this case is different from the known technology, even the simple neck-hung form can have stable electrode contact to obtain clear ECG signals. These analysis results can thus be provided without hindrance.

Here, in particular, the neck-mounted ECG detection device according to the present invention can be implemented as a direct built-in transmission connector 60, such as a USB connector, to achieve transmission between external devices, so as to save the need to use a connecting wire Trouble. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the USB connector 60 may be covered by a movable housing portion 121 of the housing, eg, a cover under which the USB connector is hidden when measurements are made , and when the measurement is completed and the wired transmission is desired, the cover only needs to be moved to expose the USB connector, which can be directly used to connect external devices, such as the USB port of a personal computer, which is quite convenient to use.

Further, since removing the cover to expose the connector is an action that must be performed during transmission, the device according to the present invention can be further implemented such that when the cover is removed, the electrodes on the surface of the casing and the internal circuit The connection between them will also be disconnected at the same time to ensure safe use.

This is because, when the external device is a device connected to the mains, such as a personal computer, the device according to the present invention has to provide a protection mechanism because the surface of the casing has electrodes, so that the user will not be disturbed by touching the electrodes. In the event of an electric shock, since removing the cover is a natural and necessary action before making a transmission connection, if it can be matched with an appropriate circuit design, for example, the circuit connecting the electrodes passes through the cover, or the cover can Through the structure, the switching of the circuit switch that controls the connection of the electrodes is achieved when closing and removing. In this way, such electrical insulation can be completed naturally through the action of removing the cover, which is not only convenient to use, but also easy to use. Safety is also guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment, the ECG detection device according to the present invention may further include a motion sensing component, such as a motion sensor or an accelerometer, to detect the movement of the body during the detection, so as to detect the movement of the body during the detection. It is used as a reference when processing and analyzing ECG signals. For example, when abnormal ECG signals are found, you can first compare the situation of body movement, such as whether you are exercising vigorously, or whether the abnormality occurs before fall, etc., to improve the accuracy of judgment; or, when used for home care, it can be used to understand the physical activity of the user, such as whether a fall occurs, whether the sleep is stable, whether the exercise time is sufficient, etc., which can not only be used as an analysis The ECG signal is used as a reference, and it is also helpful for the caregiver to understand the daily life of the user.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the configuration of the electrodes on the casing can also be extended. As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B , the two electrodes originally located on the first surface 122 of the casing, can extend to the third and fourth surfaces 126, 128, respectively, which are adjacent to and opposite to each other, i.e., each electrode has two parts, one part on the first surface facing the skin, and the other part then extend opposite to each other, and the two parts can be implemented as the same electrode 162, 164, as shown in FIG. 12A, or implemented as two electrodes but connected in parallel with each other 166a, 166b, 168a, 168b, as shown in FIG. 12B Show.

Through such an arrangement, the device according to the present invention can not only be installed in front of the torso to perform detection through the attachment component, but also can be implemented as a hand-held measurement when it is removed from the neck, as shown in FIGS. 13A-13B . As shown in the figure, due to the extension of the electrodes, the user can touch one of the electrodes by holding one end of the housing, and then easily touch the electrode at the other end with the other hand or the torso, just like a general hand-held ECG detection device. In this way, the effect of one machine with multiple uses can be achieved.

Here, different electrode parts can be activated or deactivated according to different operation modes, for example, switched by arranging a switch, or can also be implemented by the connection between the attachment component and the housing. Determining, for example, that when the attachment member is attached to the housing, it indicates that the housing is in a state in which it can be placed in front of the torso, so that the electrode portion located on the same surface is activated, and when the attachment member is detached from the housing , indicating that the housing has been removed from the neck, and is in a state where hand-held ECG detection can be performed. At this time, the electrode part located on the opposite surface is activated.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the electrodes on the casing can also be implemented on opposite surfaces, as shown in FIG. 14 , that is, when one of the electrodes is located in front of the casing, On the first surface 122 facing the torso, and the other electrode is located on the second surface 124 opposite the first surface, so that during operation, the user can adjust the housing's position when he wants to measure. The second surface applies force and simultaneously contacts the electrodes thereon, as shown in FIG. 15, so that the electrodes located on the first surface contact the skin in front of the torso at the same time. After a force action, the ECG signal is obtained.

In this case, as mentioned above, in addition to the dry electrode form, the electrodes on the housing can also be implemented as the aforementioned non-conductive electrodes, such as capacitive, inductive, or electromagnetic, etc. To increase the convenience of use, for example, only the electrodes on the second surface can be implemented without direct contact with the skin, so that the ECG signal can be obtained even through the contact of the force applying hand, such as clothing, so the , no matter what the setting position of the casing is, the detection can be carried out, or, furthermore, all electrodes can be implemented without direct contact with the skin, so that there is no directional restriction on the use, no matter which side The ECG signal can be extracted towards the torso, which effectively improves the user's convenience.

When implemented as a non-conductive electrode, the application of the neck-worn ECG signal detection device according to the present invention will be more extensive. For example, the device can be fastened to the front of the torso by means of a double-sided adhesive attachment element, so that the contact between the electrodes and the skin and the setting of the housing can be accomplished simultaneously. In this case, the two electrodes may be implemented both on the first surface, or on the first and second surfaces, respectively, without limitation.

In addition, according to another aspect of the concept, the number of electrodes is not limited. For example, reference electrodes can be added to eliminate noise. When the number of electrodes increases, in addition to arranging the electrodes on the attachment components or extending by connecting wires, it is also possible to The number of shells is increased to set electrodes, so that the user can perform detection by applying force to the shell in the same convenient manner.

Further, the device according to the present invention can also have a photo volume change (PPG) sensor, which is arranged at the position where the force finger or the dry skin will come into contact. It also obtains relevant blood physiology information, thereby providing users with more information. When using the PPG sensor, the light emitting component will emit light into the blood vessels under the skin, and then the light that penetrates the blood vessels or is reflected by the blood is received by the photodetector. Calculation of , then information about blood physiology can be obtained. For example, since the heartbeat will cause changes in blood flow volume, the light absorption value will change, so pulse wave information can be obtained, and when it interacts with ECG signals During the comparison, the pulse wave transit time (PTT) can be calculated, and then the relevant value of the blood pressure change can be obtained. The user understands the changes in the amount of oxygen in the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the ECG detection device according to the present invention can also be implemented as having a marked button, so that when the user feels it is necessary, for example, the heart suddenly appears during the daily routine ECG detection. If you feel uncomfortable, at this time, you can mark the time point by pressing the button, so that the doctor can pay special attention to the signal changes before and after the time point when watching the recorded signal afterwards.

In another preferred embodiment, the ECG detection device according to the present invention may also be provided with a warning button for the user to press when an emergency occurs in the body to trigger the processing unit to issue a warning signal, for example, to emit a warning sound , to attract the attention of the surrounding people, or to transmit to the nursing center through the telephone or the network, to activate the emergency rescue system, etc.; and further, the ECG detection device according to the present invention can also be implemented to have the function of GPS positioning, such a The caregiver can confirm the user's location to provide necessary assistance when necessary.

To sum up, according to the neck-worn ECG detection device of the present invention, by adopting a neck-worn form different from the known technology, the device can be installed on the trunk with high signal strength and stability without burdening the user. The front side further minimizes the restrictions on the placement position of the electrodes on the surface of the device casing, and also reduces the use restrictions during operation, and only requires one hand to simply apply force to the casing to make the electrodes on the casing surface contact the skin. , you can easily complete stable electrode contact and obtain a clear ECG for professional interpretation of cardiac abnormalities, such as arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction. Therefore, it does provide a more convenient and effective ECG than the known technology. detection device.

Claims (26)

1. A neck-worn electrocardiographic detection device providing a plurality of modes of operation comprising:

a shell having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other;

a first electrode and a second electrode on the first surface;

a third electrode on a third surface adjacent to the first surface, and a fourth electrode on a fourth surface adjacent to the first surface and opposite to the third surface;

a attaching member coupled to the housing for attaching to a neck of a user; and

an electrocardiosignal extracting circuit for extracting an electrocardiosignal,

wherein,

when the user wears the device through the attachment component, the shell is arranged in front of the trunk of the user; and

when the hand of the user applies force to the shell in the direction towards the trunk, the shell is fixed between the hand and the trunk, and stable contact is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode and the skin in front of the trunk, so that the device enters a state of extracting electrocardiosignals, and the electrocardiosignal extracting circuit obtains the electrocardiosignals through the first electrode and the second electrode;

wherein,

when the user holds the shell through one hand, the hand can contact at least one of the first electrode and the third electrode, then the shell is held and moved through the hand, the fourth electrode contacts the trunk of the user or the other hand of the user, and the electrocardiosignal extraction circuit can obtain electrocardiosignals through at least one of the first electrode and the third electrode and the fourth electrode; and

wherein,

when the user holds the shell by both hands, one hand contacts at least one of the first electrode and the third electrode, and the other hand contacts at least one of the second electrode and the fourth electrode, so that the electrocardiosignal can be obtained by the electrocardiosignal extracting circuit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said stationary contact effects a switching to place said device in said extractable ecg signal state.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stable contact causes a physical change of the first and second electrodes to be within a predetermined range, thereby causing the device to enter the extractable cardiac signal state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a physical state detection unit for sensing the physical change generated by at least one of the first and second electrodes when contacting the skin surface of the user.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the physical state detection unit is implemented as a pressure sensing module, an impedance sensing circuit, a capacitance sensing circuit, or a switch, or a combination of at least two of the same.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus automatically initiates the extraction of the cardiac signal after a specified time period after entering the extractable cardiac signal state.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to have a common mode of operation for performing cardiac signal extraction with an external device via wired or wireless means.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the external device receives and displays the ecg signal and related information from the ecg detection device in real time.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the user initiates recording of the cardiac electrical signal for a specified period of time via the external device.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the neck-worn ECG detecting device is controlled by the external device to initiate ECG signal extraction after entering the extractable ECG signal state.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the external device is connected to a remote monitoring center via a network.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the external device automatically transmits a notification signal to the remote monitoring center when the cardiac signal meets a predetermined condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the external device further comprises an algorithm to provide information about arrhythmia.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an algorithm to provide information about arrhythmia.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal extracting circuit is disposed in the housing and/or the attachment assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an information providing module for providing information about the electrocardiographic examination of the user, wherein the information is provided in a form selected from the group consisting of a screen display, an audio change, a vibration change, and a visual change.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor for detecting body movement of the user.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode are implemented in parallel connection, and the second electrode and the fourth electrode are implemented in parallel connection.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode are integrally formed, and the second electrode and the fourth electrode are integrally formed.

20. A neck-worn electrocardiographic detection device comprising:

a shell having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other;

a first electrode and a second electrode located on the surface of the housing;

a attaching member coupled to the housing for attaching to a neck of a user;

an electrocardiosignal extracting circuit for extracting an electrocardiosignal by matching the first electrocardio electrode and the second electrocardio electrode; and

a wireless transmission module for performing a wireless connection with an external device,

wherein, during the period of executing the electrocardiosignal extraction:

the shell is arranged in front of the trunk of the user through the attachment component;

a hand of the user applies force to the shell in a direction towards the trunk, so that the shell is fixed between the hand and the body, the first electrode and the second electrode are stably contacted with the skin, and the device enters a state of extracting electrocardiosignals;

the other hand of the user controls the neck-wearing type electrocardio-detection device and executes the electrocardio-signal acquisition by operating an application program operated on the external device;

the external device receives the obtained electrocardiosignals in real time; and

the application program displays the heart related information of the user in real time.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an optical volume change sensor for obtaining blood physiological information.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is implemented as a capacitive electrode, an inductive electrode, or an electromagnetic electrode.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are implemented as one of the following, comprising: respectively located on the first surface and the second surface, and at least simultaneously located on the first surface.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the cardiac signal is implemented to be stored in the neck-worn cardiac sensing device and/or the external device.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a physical state detection unit for sensing a physical change of at least one of the first and second electrodes when contacting the skin surface of the user, and entering the extractable ecg signal state when the stable contact meets the physical change within a predetermined range.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the physical state detection unit is implemented as a pressure sensing module, an impedance sensing circuit, a capacitance sensing circuit, or a switch, or a combination of at least two of the same.