(19)
`
`(12)
`
`TEPZZ 58496 B_T
`EP 2 584 962 B1
`
`(11)
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
`
`(45) Date of publication and mention
`of the grant of the patent:
`10.09.2014 Bulletin 2014/37
`
`(21) Application number: 11758266.8
`
`(22) Date of filing: 24.06.2011
`
`(51) Int Cl.:
`A61B 5/0428 (2006.01)
`
`(86) International application number:
`PCT/IS2011/050010
`
`(87) International publication number:
`WO 2011/161701 (29.12.2011 Gazette 2011/52)
`
`(54) BIOMETRIC BELT CONNECTOR
`
`BIOMETRISCHER BANDVERBINDER
`
`CONNECTEUR DE CEINTURE BIOMÉTRIQUE
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB
`GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
`PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
`
`(30) Priority: 25.06.2010 US 358472 P
`
`(43) Date of publication of application:
`01.05.2013 Bulletin 2013/18
`
`(73) Proprietor: Nox Medical ehf.
`105 Reykjavik (IS)
`
`(72) Inventor: HERMANNSSON, Kormakur Hlini
`105 Reykjavik (IS)
`
`(74) Representative: Arnason Faktor
`Intellectual Property Consulting
`Gudridarstig 2-4
`113 Reykjavik (IS)
`
`(56) References cited:
`WO-A2-02/080761
`US-A1- 2007 167 089
`
`DE-A1- 19 941 500
`US-A1- 2010 297 868
`
`Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
`Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
`Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
`paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP2 584 962B1
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 1
`
`

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`1
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`EP 2 584 962 B1
`
`2
`
`Description
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention is within the field of med-
`ical devices, in particular biometric devices for measuring
`biosignals, and relates particularly to electrodes for such
`devices and In particular electrode belts and connectors
`for such belts.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Electrode belts are known, both for direct con-
`tact galvanic electrodes for measure cardiography sig-
`nals and inductive belts used in respiratory inductive
`plethysmography. Prior art belts have various types of
`connectors, for transmitting the received signal to the re-
`spective device. There remains a need for improved belt
`connectors that are reliable and easy to use and maintain.
`[0003] US 2010/297868 and WO 02/080761 each dis-
`close biometric belts with connectors
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`[0004] The invention provides a belt with an attached
`connector for electrically connecting an electrode belt to
`a biometric device to be carried on a human or animal
`body. The belt connector is preferably made from one
`single piece which can be economically manufactured in
`order to function as a single-use consumable, to be used
`with a matching biometric device. The belt connector
`comprises a molded plastic frame having a front side and
`a rear side, the frame having a receiving hole, having
`radial flexibility to function as a female snap button fas-
`tener for receiving and fastening on the front side of the
`frame a male snap protrusion. The belt connector further
`comprises fastening means for fastening to the frame a
`belt end of said electrode belt, and a member adjacent
`to said snap fastener receiving hole to engage an elec-
`trode wire end electrically connected to said belt such
`that said wire end is in electrical contact with said hole,
`either by extending into the hole or coming in electrical
`contact e.g. through a bridging conductor, with a con-
`ducting male snap fastener inserted In said receiving
`hole.
`[0005] The belt connector and belt should be config-
`ured such that a person wearing the belt under operation
`Is insulated from current running through the belt, in order
`to meet existing standards for medical devices. The belt
`connector of the invention is configured accordingly, and
`in a preferred embodiment, the belt connector comprises
`a shield member which Is arranged on the rear side of
`said frame to electrically shield the wire end from the rear
`side exterior of the belt connector.
`[0006] The belt connector preferably comprises a cov-
`er enclosing the connector and wire end. The cover may
`suitably include a pre-perforated hole overlapping the
`hole of the frame, or in other embodiments is made from
`
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`such material that can readily be perforated by pressing
`the connector onto a male fastener which fits the receiv-
`ing hole of the frame.
`[0007] The belt end is fixedly engaged with the con-
`nector and the electrode wire connected to the connector
`such that the electrode wire is in electrical contact with
`the female snap fastener hole and thereby comes in elec-
`trical contact with a conducting male snap fastener in-
`serted in the hole.
`[0008] Preferably the belt end is engaged with the con-
`nector in a fashion allowing adjustment of the length of
`the belt.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
`
`[0009]
`
`Figure 1 illustrates a belt connector according to the
`invention.
`
`Figure 2 illustrates a belt connector and connected
`belt.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0010] The disclosed belt connector is suitable for var-
`ious types of electrode belts, such as for cardiographic
`measurements, both in clinical settings or for training pur-
`poses, but also for belts such as RIP (respiratory induc-
`tive plethysmography) belts.
`[0011] As mentioned above, the belt connector is in-
`tended for electrically connecting an electrode belt to a
`biometric device, the term biometric device in this context
`includes any devices for receiving electrical biosignals
`as well as extension cables, intermediate devices, con-
`necting boxes, etc. or other means for receiving and
`transmitting the biosignals.
`[0012] The belt connector is preferably made from any
`of various suitable non-conducting plastic materials,
`such as but not limited to ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene
`styrene), PC/ABS, polyethylene, e.g. low density poly-
`ethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE),
`or derivatives such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
`or polyfluoroethylene (PTFE), or more preferably poly-
`propylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyamide (nylon). In
`other embodiments the connector is made from paper
`based material or other material from natural fibers.
`[0013] The electrode belt is generally a flexible belt
`such as commonly used in respiratory inductance
`plethysmography (RIP) devices today. Such electrode
`belt is preferably a flexible textile belt where an electrode
`wire is interwoven in the belt or can be laminated between
`two layers, typically in a zig-zag fashion to allow longitu-
`dinal elasticity.
`[0014] The molded frame of the connector has a front
`side and a rear side, which are defined as follows: the
`front side of the frame faces the biometric device which
`is fastened onto the connector for operation and the rear
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 2
`
`

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`3
`
`EP 2 584 962 B1
`
`4
`
`side faces away from the device. In the presently pre-
`ferred embodiment the rear side of the connector faces
`the body of the patient when mounted, i.e. the belt con-
`nector comes between the patient and the biometric de-
`vice. However, the biometric device can also be config-
`ured such that the device faces the patient and the belt
`connectors lie on top of the device, i.e. connect to the
`device on the face of the device facing away from the
`patient, thus in such embodiment the front side of the
`connectors face the patient and the rear side face away
`from the patient.
`[0015] The frame has a receiving hole with radial flex-
`ibility to function as a female snap button fastener for
`receiving and fastening on the front side of the frame a
`male snap protrusion. A mating biometric device will thus
`have a corresponding mating male snap fastener which
`can be fastened securely onto the belt connector. The
`hole can preferably be shaped circular or semi-circular
`but may in other enbodiments have any other suitable
`shape, such as a general elongated shape shaped by
`two parallel members, suitably including guiding mem-
`bers to ensure proper positioning of the mating male snap
`member, a square opening, or the like.
`[0016] The radial flexibility of the hole can in one em-
`bodiment be achieved by one or more slot extending from
`said hole. The embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2
`shows two slots extending across from each other in the
`belt direction. The one or more slot are preferably formed
`by at least one elongated member having flexibility trans-
`verse to its longitudinal axis (e.g. by being sufficiently
`thin), thus imparting flexibility to the width of the hole.
`Preferably the hole is between two elongated members
`where one or both have sufficient and suitable flexibility
`to provide a snap fastener hole with suitable fastening
`strength.
`[0017] As mentioned, the belt connector comprises a
`member adjacent to said snap fastener receiving hole to
`engage an electrode wire coming from the belt end. This
`wire must come in electrical contact with said receiving
`hole, either by extending into the hole or coming in elec-
`trical contact with the hole e.g. through a bridging con-
`ductor. In one embodiment, the wire end is crimped onto
`said member such the crimping tubing fixes the wire and
`conducts and connects electrically the wire to the receiv-
`ing hole, such that thus the wire and the belt is in electrical
`contact with a conducting male snap fastener inserted in
`said receiving hole.
`[0018] The slot mentioned above can also function to
`provide an additional opening for a mating male projec-
`tion on the biometric device. By this arrangement it is
`assured that the device cannot be incorrectly fastened,
`and the device will not fit any generic non-proprietary
`belts having connectors with female fasteners but without
`the correctly shaped and placed extended hole.
`[0019] The connector frame has in another embodi-
`ment a separate further hole, not joined to the main fas-
`tener and electrical connection hole, where the further
`hole can mate with a corresponding male projection on
`
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`said biometric device. Alternatively, the biometric device
`can have a female hole for mating with a corresponding
`male projection on the belt connector.
`[0020] The connector frame further comprises fasten-
`ing means for fastening to the frame a belt end of an
`electrode belt. The fastening means can in one embod-
`iment comprise a slot with a row of teeth, pins or hooks,
`transverse to the belt direction, to engage a belt end. The
`slot preferably allows to insert through it a loop of the belt
`such that the belt length is adjusted and fixed, but pref-
`erably so that a user can later re-adjust the length.
`[0021]
`In another embodiment, the fastening means
`comprise a ridge member, which can be a flat or sharp
`elongated ridge or ridge or row comprising pins or hooks,
`which ridge lies transverse to the belt direction and to
`which a belt end can be fastened onto with heat melting
`or gluing. Alternatively, the ridge member can have pins
`or hooks that grab onto the belt fabric without need of
`heating.
`[0022] Preferably, the frame has also an adjustment
`slot for user adjustment of the belt, which can be config-
`ured with either of the two described fastening means,
`the adjustment slot having a row of teeth, pins or hooks
`transverse to the belt direction, through which adjustment
`slot a loop of said belt can be inserted, which hooks onto
`the teeth/pins when pulled on, such that the length of the
`belt can be readily adjusted but also secured in the de-
`sired adjusted length.
`[0023] The connector will preferably include a cover
`substantially or essentially fully enclosing the frame,
`which cover either includes a pre-made hole overlapping
`the receiving hole of the frame, or can be readily perfo-
`rated by pressing the connector onto a male fastener
`which fits the receiving hole of the frame. A suitable cover
`can be arranged by a suitably sized paper, plastic or fab-
`ric sticker (foldable sheet with glue on one side) which
`sticker is folded over the frame after the belt end has
`been fastened and the wire end electrically connected to
`the receiving hole, or the cover can be from but not limited
`to a paper envelope, a plastic envelope and a textile en-
`velope, which envelope is suitably fastened by gluing,
`sewing or the like.
`[0024]
`In the embodiments where the biometric device
`has a further male projecting member which fits within
`the slot of the frame or within a separate mating hole, the
`cover is suitably arranged with corresponding openings
`for such hole or slot for receiving such mating male mem-
`ber, and the cover may also have a suitable hole allowing
`the protrusion of a male protruding member being a part
`of the frame which fits in a mating receiving hole or slot
`on the mating biometric device.
`[0025]
`In a preferred embodiment, the connector com-
`prises a shield member which is arranged on the rear
`side of the frame to electrically shield the wire from the
`rear side exterior of the belt connector. The shield mem-
`ber is in one embodiment a sheet member extending
`from the frame, which sheet member is configured to be
`folded over onto the rear side of the frame to cover said
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 3
`
`

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`5
`
`EP 2 584 962 B1
`
`6
`
`hole and engaged wire. Such shield member molded in
`one piece with the frame with enough strength but suit-
`ably flexible to allow folding at least once without braking
`allows the use of a cover enclosing the frame, which cov-
`er need not be electrically insulating, as the shield insu-
`lates the only part of the connector which could conduct
`electrical current of the connector, except through the
`hole.
`[0026]
`In another aspect, the invention sets forth a
`process for making an electrode belt with biometric belt
`connectors, comprising
`
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`10
`
`connecting the belt with the hole and which comes in
`electrical contact with a conducting male snap fastener
`inserted in said hole. The connector further comprises a
`slot (14) with teeth members or pins (15), through which
`slot a loop of said belt (2) can be inserted such that it is
`held by the teeth/pins when pulled back, to adjust the
`length of the belt.
`[0029] The connector further comprises a shield mem-
`ber (10) which is molded in one piece with the frame (3)
`and joined to the frame with foldable hinges (16) such
`that the shield member can be folded over to cover the
`rear side of the hole and wire end.
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`placing an end of a flexible electrode belt with an
`incorporated wire onto a belt connector as defined
`above, in the suitable direction in which it is to be
`fastened onto the connector, such that a portion of
`the belt end extends beyond said ridge member or
`row of pins,
`pressing a heat element, ultrasonic hot body or other
`means of heat transfer onto said belt and ridge mem-
`ber, and through the action of the heat, shearing an
`end piece of the belt but leaving intact the incorpo-
`rated wire, thus revealing an end of said wire,
`
`-
`
`through the action of heat from said heat ele-
`ment, fastening by heat melting said belt to said
`ridge, and
`
`fastening the wire end to a member adjacent to the
`hole of the connector frame, such that said end is in
`electrical contact with said hole and comes in elec-
`trical contact with a conducting male snap fastener
`inserted in said hole.
`
`[0027] The process further preferably comprises en-
`closing the connector frame with the fastened belt end
`and connected wire with a cover such as suitably a cover
`as described above.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`[0028] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a biometric belt con-
`nector (1) electrically connected to an electrode belt (2),
`the connector comprising: a molded plastic frame (3) hav-
`ing a front side (4) and a rear side (5), a shaped circular
`or semi-circular hole (6) with radial flexibility to function
`as a female snap button fastener, fastening means (7)
`which comprise a ridge member (12) (in this configuration
`shaped like a series of buts) which lies transverse to the
`belt direction and to which the belt end can be fastened
`onto with heat melting or gluing. The frame (3) has two
`members (8, 13) adjacent to said hole which form a slot
`(11) extending from the hole and a second slot (15)
`across from the first slot (11). The elongated members
`and slots provide the hole with sufficient flexibility (i.e.
`elasticity in the width of the hole) to function as a female
`snap fastener. The member (13) also functions to engage
`an electrode wire end (9) from the belt end electrically
`
`15
`
`Claims
`
`1. An electrode belt (2) with attached biometric belt con-
`nector (1) for electrically connecting the electrode
`belt to a biometric device to be carried on a human
`or animal body, the belt connector comprising:
`
`(a) a molded plastic frame (3) having a front side
`and a rear side,
`(b) said frame having a receiving hole (6) with
`radial flexibility to function as a female snap but-
`ton fastener for receiving and fastening on the
`frame a male snap protrusion,
`(c) fastening means (7) for fastening to the frame
`a belt end of said electrode belt, and
`(d) a member (13) adjacent to said hole, which
`member engages an electrode wire end (9) elec-
`trically connected to said belt such that said end
`is in contact with said hole and comes in elec-
`trical contact with a conducting male snap fas-
`tener inserted in said hole.
`
`2. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 1,
`wherein said belt connector further comprises a
`shield member (10) which is arranged on the rear
`side of said frame (3) to electrically shield the wire
`(9) from the rear side exterior of the belt connector.
`
`3. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 1,
`wherein radial flexibility of said receiving hole is
`achieved by one or more slot (11,15) extending from
`said hole.
`
`4. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 3,
`wherein said receiving hole and one or more slot are
`formed by at least one elongated member (8) having
`flexibility transverse to its longitudinal axis, thus im-
`parting flexibility to the width of the hole.
`
`5. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 2,
`wherein said shield member (10) is a sheet member
`extending from the frame, which sheet member is
`configured to be folded over onto the rear side of the
`frame (3) to cover the back side of said receiving
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`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 4
`
`

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`EP 2 584 962 B1
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`hole and engaged wire.
`
`6. The electrode belt and belt connector of any of the
`preceding claims, wherein said belt connector com-
`prises a cover enclosing the frame, which cover ei-
`ther includes a hole overlapping the receiving hole
`of the frame, or can be readily perforated by pressing
`the connector onto a male fastener which fits the
`receiving hole of the frame.
`
`7. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 6,
`wherein said cover is selected from the group con-
`sisting of a folded paper, plastic or fabric sticker, a
`plastic envelope and a textile envelope.
`
`8. The electrode belt and belt connector of any of the
`preceding claims wherein said fastening means
`comprise a slot (14) with a row of teeth, pins or hooks
`(15) transverse to the belt direction, to engage a belt
`end.
`
`9. The electrode belt and belt connector of any of the
`preceding claims, wherein said fastening means (7)
`comprise a ridge member (12) or row of pins which
`lies transverse to the belt direction and to which a
`belt end can be fastened onto with heat melting or
`gluing.
`
`10. The electrode belt and belt connector of any of the
`preceding claims, wherein said belt connector com-
`prises an adjustment slot with teeth, pin or hook
`members, through which slot a loop of desired length
`of said belt can be inserted, to adjust and fix the
`length of the belt.
`
`11. The electrode belt and belt connector of claim 1,
`wherein said belt is a flexible textile belt with an elec-
`trode wire interwoven in the belt or laminated be-
`tween two layers of the belt.
`
`12. A process for making an electrode belt (2) with bio-
`metric belt connectors (1), comprising
`
`- placing an end of a flexible electrode belt (2)
`with an incorporated wire onto a belt connector
`frame (3) as defined in claim 9, in the suitable
`direction in which it is to be fastened onto the
`connector, such that a portion of the belt end
`extends beyond said ridge member (12) or row
`of pins,
`- pressing a heat element, ultrasonic hot body
`or other means of heat transfer onto said belt
`and ridge member or row of pins, and through
`the action of the heat, shearing an end piece of
`the belt but leaving intact the incorporated wire
`within said end piece, thus revealing an end of
`said wire (9),
`- through the action of heat from said heat ele-
`
`ment or another heat element, fastening by heat
`melting said belt to said ridge, and
`- fastening the wire end (9) to a member (13)
`adjacent to the hole (6) of the connector frame
`(3), such that said end is in electrical contact
`with said hole and comes in electrical contact
`with a conducting male snap fastener inserted
`in said hole.
`
`13. The process of claim 12, wherein two heating steps
`are applied, a first heating step to shear an end piece
`of the belt and a second heating step to fastening
`the belt to the connector frame
`
`14. The process of claim 12 or 13, further comprising
`enclosing the frame with a cover and fastening the
`cover.
`
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`Patentansprüche
`
`1. Elektrodenband (2) mit daran befestigtem biometri-
`schem Bandverbinder (1) zur elektrischen Verbin-
`dung des Elektrodenbands mit einer biometrischen
`Vorrichtung, die an einem menschlichen oder tieri-
`schen Körper getragen werden soll, wobei der Band-
`verbinder Folgendes umfasst:
`
`(a) einen geformten Plastikrahmen (3) mit einer
`Vorderseite und einer Rückseite,
`(b) wobei der Rahmen ein Aufnahmeloch (6) mit
`radialer Flexibilität aufweist, um als weiblicher
`Druckknopfverschluss zur Aufnahme und Be-
`festigung eines männlichen Rastvorsprungs auf
`dem Rahmen zu wirken,
`(c) ein Befestigungsmittel (7) zur Befestigung ei-
`nes Bandendes des Elektrodenbands auf dem
`Rahmen, und
`(d) ein Element (13) neben dem Loch, wobei
`das Element in ein Elektrodendrahtende (9) ein-
`greift, das elektrisch mit dem Band verbunden
`ist, so dass das Ende mit dem Loch in Kontakt
`steht und mit einem leitenden männlichen
`Druckknopfverschluss, der in das Loch einge-
`führt wird, in elektrischen Kontakt kommt.
`
`2. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`1, worin der Bandverbinder ferner ein Abschir-
`mungselement (10) umfasst, das auf der Rückseite
`des Rahmens (3) befestigt ist, um den Draht (9) elek-
`trisch von der Außenseite der Rückseite des Band-
`verbinders abzuschirmen.
`
`3. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`1, worin die radiale Flexibilität des Aufnahmelochs
`durch einen oder mehrere Schlitze (11, 15), die sich
`von dem Loch aus erstrecken, erreicht wird.
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`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 5
`
`

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`4. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`3, worin das Aufnahmeloch und einer oder mehrere
`Schlitze von zumindest einem langgestreckten Ele-
`ment (8), das quer zu seiner Längsachse flexibel ist,
`geformt werden, so dass der Breite des Lochs Fle-
`xibilität verliehen wird.
`
`5. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`2, worin das Abschirmungselement (10) ein flächen-
`förmiges Element ist, das sich von dem Rahmen aus
`erstreckt, wobei das flächenförmige Element auf die
`Rückseite des Rahmens (3) umgeklappt werden
`kann, um die Rückseite des Aufnahmelochs und den
`eingegriffenen Draht abzudecken.
`
`6. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach einem der
`vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin der Bandverbin-
`der eine den Rahmen umschließende Abdeckung
`umfasst, wobei die Abdeckung entweder ein Loch
`aufweist, das das Aufnahmeloch des Rahmens
`überlappt, oder einfach perforiert werden kann, in-
`dem der Verbinder auf einen männlichen Befesti-
`gungsteil, der in das Aufnahmeloch des Rahmens
`passt, gedrückt wird.
`
`7. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`6, worin die Abdeckung aus der aus gefaltetes Pa-
`pier, Plastik- oder Stoffsticker, Plastikumschlag und
`Textilumschlag bestehenden Gruppe ausgewählt
`ist.
`
`8. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach einem der
`vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das Befesti-
`gungsmittel einen Schlitz (14) mit einer Reihe von
`Zähnen, Stiften oder Haken (15) quer zur Bandrich-
`tung zum Eingriff in ein Bandende umfasst.
`
`9. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach einem der
`vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das Befesti-
`gungsmittel (7) ein starres Element (12) oder eine
`Reihe von Stiften umfasst, die quer zur Bandrichtung
`liegt und an der ein Bandende durch Heißschmelzen
`oder Kleben befestigt werden kann.
`
`10. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach einem der
`vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin der Bandverbin-
`der einen Einstellschlitz mit Zähnen, Stiften oder Ha-
`kenelementen umfasst, durch den eine Schlaufe mit
`einer gewünschten Länge des Bands eingeführt
`werden kann, um die Länge des Bands einzustellen
`und zu fixieren.
`
`11. Elektrodenband und Bandverbinder nach Anspruch
`1, worin das Band ein flexibles Textilband mit einem
`Elektrodendraht ist, der in das Band eingeflochten
`oder zwischen zwei Schichten des Bandes laminiert
`ist.
`
`12. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Elektrodenbands
`(2) mit biometrischen Bandverbindern (1), umfas-
`send
`
`- Platzierung eines Endes eines flexiblen Elek-
`trodenbands (2) mit einem eingearbeiteten
`Draht auf einen Bandverbinderrahmen (3) wie
`in Anspruch 9 definiert, in der geeigneten Rich-
`tung, in der es auf dem Verbinder befestigt wer-
`den soll, so dass sich ein Teil des Bands über
`das starre Element (12) oder die Reihe von Stif-
`ten hinaus erstreckt,
`- Andrücken eines Heizelements, Ultraschall-
`Wärmekörpers oder eines anderen Wärmeü-
`bertragungsmittels auf den Band und das starre
`Element oder die Reihe von Stiften und durch
`die Wärmewirkung Abscheren eines Endstücks
`des Bandes, wobei aber der eingearbeitete
`Draht in dem Endstück intakt bleibt, so dass ein
`Ende des Drahts (9) freigelegt wird,
`- durch die Wärmewirkung des Heizelements
`oder eines anderen Heizelements Befestigung
`des Bandes durch Heißschmelzen an der Leis-
`te, und
`- Befestigung des Drahtendes (9) an einem Ele-
`ment (13) neben dem Loch (6) des Verbindungs-
`rahmens (3), so dass das Ende mit dem Loch
`in elektrischem Kontakt steht und mit einem lei-
`tenden männlichen Druckknopfverschluss, der
`in das Loch eingeführt wird, in elektrischen Kon-
`takt kommt.
`
`13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, worin zwei Heizschrit-
`te angewendet werden, ein erster Heizschritt zum
`Abscheren eines Endstücks des Bandes und ein
`zweiter Heizschritt zur Befestigung des Bandes an
`dem Verbindungsrahmen.
`
`14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, ferner umfas-
`send das Umschließen des Rahmens mit einer Ab-
`deckung und die Befestigung der Abdeckung.
`
`Revendications
`
`1. Ceinture à électrodes (2) avec un connecteur de
`ceinture biométrique attaché (1) pour connecter
`électriquement la ceinture à électrodes à un dispo-
`sitif biométrique devant être porté sur un corps d’une
`personne ou d’un animal, le connecteur de ceinture
`comprenant :
`
`(a) un cadre en plastique moulé (3) ayant un
`côté avant et un côté arrière,
`(b) ledit cadre ayant un trou de réception (6) à
`flexibilité radiale devant fonctionner en tant
`qu’attache à bouton encliquetable femelle pour
`recevoir et attacher sur le cadre une saillie d’en-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1027, p. 6
`
`

`
`11
`
`EP 2 584 962 B1
`
`12
`
`cliquetage mâle,
`(c) un moyen d’attache (7) pour attacher au ca-
`dre une extrémité de ceinture de ladite ceinture
`à électrodes, et
`(d) un organe (13) adjacent audit trou, lequel
`organe s’engage avec une extrémité de fil
`d’électrode (9) connectée électriquement à la-
`dite ceinture de telle sorte que ladite extrémité
`soit en contact avec ledit trou et vienne en con-
`tact électrique avec une attache d’encliquetage
`mâle conductrice insérée dans ledit trou.
`
`2. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 1, ledit connecteur de ceinture
`comprenant en outre un organe écran (10) disposé
`sur le côté arrière dudit cadre (3) pour protéger élec-
`triquement le fil (9) de l’extérieur du côté arrière du
`connecteur de ceinture.
`
`3. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 1, une flexibilité radiale dudit trou
`de réception étant réalisée par une ou plusieurs fen-
`tes (11, 15) s’étendant à partir dudit trou.
`
`4. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 3, dans laquelle ledit trou de ré-
`ception et une ou plusieurs fentes sont formés par
`au moins un organe allongé (8) ayant une certaine
`flexibilité transversalement à son axe longitudinal,
`ce qui confère une flexibilité à la largeur du trou.
`
`5. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 2, ledit organe écran (10) étant
`un organe de type feuille s’étendant depuis le cadre,
`lequel organe de type feuille est configuré pour être
`plié par-dessus le côté arrière du cadre (3) pour cou-
`vrir le côté arrière dudit trou de réception et du fil
`engagé.
`
`6. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon l’une quelconque des revendications précéden-
`tes, ledit connecteur de ceinture comprenant un re-
`couvrement enveloppant le cadre, lequel recouvre-
`ment comportant un trou chevauchant le trou de ré-
`ception du cadre, ou pouvant être aisément perforé
`en pressant le connecteur sur une attache mâle qui
`s’ajuste dans le trou de réception du cadre.
`
`7. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 6, ledit recouvrement étant sé-
`lectionné dans le groupe constitué de papier plié, de
`plastique ou de tissu adhésif, d’une enveloppe en
`plastique et d’une enveloppe textile.
`
`8. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon l’une quelconque des revendications précéden-
`tes, ledit moyen d’attache comprenant une fente (14)
`avec une rangée de dents, de goupilles ou de cro-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`7
`
`chets (15) transversalement à la direction de la cein-
`ture, pour s’engager avec une extrémité de la cein-
`ture.
`
`9. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon l’une quelconque des revendications précéden-
`tes, ledit moyen d’attache (7) comprenant un organe
`de crête (12) ou une rangée de goupilles située trans-
`versalement par rapport à la direction de la ceinture
`et auquel ou à laquelle une extrémité de ceinture
`peut être attachée par thermofusion ou collage.
`
`10. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon l’une quelconque des revendications précéden-
`tes, ledit connecteur de ceinture comprenant une
`fente d’ajustement avec des organes de dents, de
`goupilles ou de crochets, à travers laquelle fente
`peut être insérée une boucle de longueur souhaitée
`de ladite ceinture, pour ajuster et fixer la longueur
`de la ceinture.
`
`11. Ceinture à électrodes et connecteur de ceinture se-
`lon la revendication 1, ladite ceinture étant une cein-
`ture textile flexible avec un fil d’électrode tissé dans
`la ceinture ou stratifié entre deux couches de la cein-
`ture.
`
`12. Procédé de fabrication d’une ceinture à électrodes
`(2) avec des connecteurs de ceinture biométriques
`(1), comprenant les étapes suivantes
`
`- placer une extrémité d’une ceinture à électro-
`des flexible (2) avec un fil incorporé sur un cadre
`de connecteur de ceinture (3) selon la revendi-
`cation 9, dans la direction appropriée dans la-
`quelle elle doit être attachée sur le connecteur,
`de telle sorte qu’une partie de l’extrémité de la
`ceinture s’étende au-delà de l’organe de crête
`(12) ou de la rangée de goupilles,
`- presser un élément chauffant, un corps chaud
`à ultrasons ou un autre moyen de transfert ther-
`mique sur ladite ceinture et l’organe de crête ou
`la rangée de goupilles, et sous l’effet de la cha-
`leur, cisailler un élément d’extrémité de la cein-
`ture tout en conservant intact le fil incorporé à
`l’intérieur dudit élément d’extrémité, pour ainsi
`exposer une extrémité dudit fil (9),
`- sous l’effet de la chaleur provenant dudit élé-
`ment chauffant ou d’un autre élément chauffant,
`attacher par thermofusion ladite ceinture à ladite
`crête, et
`- attacher l’extrémité du fil (9) à un organe (13)
`adjacent au trou (6) du cadre de connecteur (3)
`de telle sorte que ladite extrémité soit en contact
`électrique avec ledit trou et vienne en contact
`électrique avec une attache d’encliquetage mâ-
`le conductrice insérée dans ledi