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Publication Number
US-10939870-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A patient worn sensor assembly for detecting, recording, and communicating patient vital signs includes several structural features that can provide increased signal quality, reduction in signal noise, increased patient comfort, increased reliability, and increased adhesion to a patient's skin. The patient worn sensor can track vital sign information such as blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, heart rhythm (via ECG), heart rate, blood glucose level, and hydration (bio-impedance) levels. The sensor can also track and record additional information about patients, including patient movement, activity, and sleep patterns.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrode assembly configured to operatively and removably connect to a sensor housing of a patient-worn sensor. The electrode assembly includes an elastic layer with an adhesive coating for attaching to the skin of a patient and a plurality of electrodes with portions extending at least partially through the elastic layer. The elastic layer is configured to provide patient contact while supporting electrode positioning for sensing.
A stabilizing sheet is positioned between at least a portion of each electrode and the elastic layer, where the stabilizing sheet is configured to restrict movement of the plurality of electrodes relative to each other along the X-axis and the Y-axis. When the electrode assembly is operatively and removably connected to the sensor housing, the stabilizing sheet is positioned between the elastic layer and the sensor housing and a portion of each electrode extends through the stabilizing sheet. This structure limits lateral electrode motion while permitting compliance in the Z-axis.
In implementations, one or more gel contacts are affixed to the electrodes so that when the elastic layer is placed in contact with skin of a patient, an air pocket at least partially surrounding the gel contact is formed. The air pocket is at least partially defined by the gel contact, the elastic layer, and the patient’s skin, without additional layers between the patient’s skin and the air pocket. This tented electrode/hydrogel geometry is configured to collect air bubbles/sweat and improve signal quality while reducing signal noise caused by motion through the stabilizing arrangement.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims. Across the independent claims, four core inventive elements are emphasized: an adhesive-backed elastic layer supporting electrodes, electrode-associated structure that restricts X/Y relative movement, removable operative connection to a sensor housing, and gel contacts that create air pockets at the skin interface.
Removably connectable electrode assembly with larger X/Y elastic layer
An electrode assembly for contacting a patient, configured to operatively and removably connect to a sensor housing of a patient-worn sensor, comprising an elastic layer that is substantially larger along an X-axis and a Y-axis in comparison to a Z-axis of the elastic layer, a plurality of electrodes with portions extending at least partially through the elastic layer, and an adhesive coating applied to at least a portion of the elastic layer configured to attach to the skin of a patient.
X/Y stabilizing sheet restricting electrode relative movement
A stabilizing sheet positioned between at least a portion of each electrode and the elastic layer, configured to restrict movement of the plurality of electrodes relative to each other along the direction of the X-axis and the direction of the Y-axis; wherein the stabilizing sheet is positioned between the elastic layer and the sensor housing when the electrode assembly is operatively and removably connected to the sensor housing; and wherein a portion of each electrode extends through the stabilizing sheet.
Gel contacts forming air pockets without additional layers
An electrode assembly comprising an elastic layer with an adhesive coating for affixing to the skin of a patient, one or more electrodes with a portion of each extending at least partially through the elastic layer, and one or more gel contacts affixed to the one or more electrodes, positioned such that when the elastic layer is placed in contact with skin of a patient, an air pocket at least partially surrounding the gel contact is formed, the air pocket being at least partially defined by the gel contact, the elastic layer, and the patient's skin, without additional layers between the patient's skin and the air pocket.
Operational removable connection to patient-worn sensor housing
An electrode assembly for contacting a patient configured to operatively and removably connect to a patient-worn sensor housing.
Taken together, the independent claims cover a patient-contact electrode assembly using an adhesive elastic layer with electrodes extending through the elastic layer, optional gel contacts that form air pockets at the skin interface, and a stabilizing sheet that restricts relative electrode motion along the X-axis and Y-axis when the assembly is connected to a patient-worn sensor housing.
Stated Advantages
Improve signal quality.
Reduce signal noise.
Provide adhesion to skin.
Provide patient comfort.
Documented Applications
Patient-worn sensor sensing vital signs, including ECG and other vitals.
Patient-worn sensor assembly use with a disposable adherent electrode pad and a reusable sensor housing.
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