Interface element for a biomedical electrode

Details Interface element for a biomedical electrode Interface element for a biomedical electrode

1996-12-27

1999-04-06

Cohen, Lee

Surgery

Diagnostic testing

Structure of body-contacting electrode or electrode inserted...

A61B 50416

Patent

active

058910280

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to biomedical electrodes, that is, electrodes to be used for examinations or treatments in which an electrode member is electrically connected with the skin of a patient. Examples of electrodes of this kind are ECG and EEG electrodes.
The biomedical electrodes with which the invention is concerned preferably are so-called suction electrodes. Such electrodes are held to the skin by vacuum in a chamber which is delimited on the skin by a sealing device resembling a suction cup in which the electrode member is positioned. Accordingly, the invention will be described with particular reference to its use in connection with suction electrodes.
More particularly, the invention relates to a contact or interface element for use in a biomedical electrode, especially a vacuum electrode, which element is of the kind defined in the precharacterising portion of claim 1. A contact or interface element of this kind is known from GB-A-2 240 928. This known element is intended only for use with adhesive electrodes and does not lend itself to use with suction electrodes.
Moreover, the invention relates to a method for carrying out biomedical measurements using suction electrodes.
Especially when carrying out measurements using biomedical electrodes it is important have a low impedance in the electrical connection between the skin and the electrode member, but even more important is that the connection is stable throughout the measuring process in respect of the electrical properties. If variations of the electrical properties occur, they will have an adverse influence on the measuring signals.
Such variations are particularly difficult to avoid when suction electrodes are used. This is because the signals are picked up not only from the skin area engaged by the contact face of the electrode member, but also from the surrounding area, especially if sweat and electrolyte form a layer under and around the electrode member. When suction electrodes are used it is almost impossible to prevent air from leaking inwardly between the skin and the edge of the sealing device. Air that leaks in may form bubbles which migrate from the periphery of the sealing device and inwardly along the skin toward the centrally positioned electrode element and cause variations of the electrical conductivity, and possibly also dipole variations if electrostatic fields exist around the electrode member.
One proposed solution to the problem caused by the aforesaid variations involves a special design of the sealing device.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a different solution to the problem and involves placing between the electrode member and the skin an electrically conducting element, hereinafter termed interface element, with a high conductivity.
According to the inventive solution, the interface element is constructed such that upon application of the suction electrode the interface element is readily deformed into a domed or toroidal shape (double upward curvature) within the annular electrolyte substrate region which is situated between, on the one side, the marginal portion of the substrate (that portion of the substrate which is adapted to be placed under the annular sealing edge of the sealing device and pressed against the skin by the sealing edge) and, on the other side, the central region of the substrate (that portion of the substrate which is adapted to be positioned under the electrode member). In addition, this intermediate region is permeable to air so that it transmits the vacuum in the sealing device (the suction cup) to the underlying skin surface.
The inventive construction of the interface element ensures that the portion of the element which engages the skin between the electrode member and the sealing edge of the sealing device conforms to the domed or concave interior shape of the sealing device. Thus, the intermediate element portion can be stretched or extended or otherwise expanded or enlarged when the vacuum in the sealing device lifts the underlyin

REFERENCES:
patent: 2887112 (1959-05-01), Smith
patent: 3340868 (1967-09-01), Darling
patent: 3998215 (1976-12-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4899753 (1990-02-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5289822 (1994-03-01), Highe et al.

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