Electrode array for physiological monitoring and device including or utilizing same
Inventors
Zuckerman-Stark, Galit • Ben-Israel, Nir • RACHELI, Noam • YESHAYA, Aviad • AMOSSI, Aviem
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11571137-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-07
Expiration Date
2036-01-06
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Abstract
Electrode array for monitoring of physiological parameters and devices including or utilizing same, the electrode array including an active electrode configured to provide an electrical signal and at least two inactive electrodes configured to collect the electrical signal transferred from the active electrode, wherein each of the at least two inactive electrodes are positioned at a different predetermined distance from the active electrode.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrode array for monitoring physiological signals, specifically a galvanic skin response (GSR) electrode array designed to be attached along a length of a subject's finger. This array includes an active electrode configured to provide an electrical signal and multiple inactive electrodes positioned at different predetermined distances from the active electrode to collect the transferred electrical signal.
The problem addressed by the invention stems from the variability in skin conductance measurements caused by differences in skin dryness among individuals and other factors such as finger length and environmental temperature. Traditional GSR measurement systems typically use two electrodes placed at fixed positions, which can result in low sensitivity or saturation of signals depending on these individual or environmental variations.
The electrode array disclosed enables compensation for interpersonal differences in skin properties by using a scaffold with one active and multiple inactive electrodes spaced at distinct distances. This allows the choice of an optimal inactive electrode based on skin dryness or finger length, improving measurement accuracy and sensitivity. The array may also incorporate additional elements such as resistors, capacitors, thermistors, piezoelectric sensors, and humidity sensors to enhance measurement quality, provide signal calibration, protection from electrical interference, and enable integration into finger probes with multiple sensors.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes several independent claims covering an electrode array, methods for determining skin conductance and physiological parameters, and finger probe devices.
Electrode array with active and multiple inactive electrodes positioned at different distances
An electrode array comprising a scaffold configured for attachment along a length of a subject's finger, including one active electrode continuously receiving an applied electrical signal and at least two measurement electrodes positioned at different predetermined distances from the active electrode, each configured to simultaneously collect the electrical signal transferred along the subject's skin.
Determining preferred electrode and skin conductance based on integrated analysis
A method for determining electrical conductance of a subject's skin using signals from multiple measurement electrodes, including selecting a preferred electrode based on signal quality and determining skin conductance based on the signal and distance between active and preferred electrodes.
Determining physiological parameters via AC excitation and multiple electrodes
A method involving applying alternating current excitation at changing frequency to an active electrode, measuring signals at different inactive electrodes after predetermined times, and determining physiological parameters such as blood flow, heart rate, pulse transient time, respiration rate, or apnea based on these signals.
Finger probe with multiple physiological sensors and connection point for GSR electrode array
A finger probe device comprising at least one sensor selected from PPG, accelerometer, temperature, piezoelectric sensors, etc., and a connection point for electrically connecting to the GSR electrode array, where connection activates the probe sensors.
The claims together cover a GSR electrode array with multiple inactive electrodes at different distances for improved skin conductance measurements, methods for signal selection and physiological parameter determination, and finger probes integrating multiple sensors that activate upon connection to such an array.
Stated Advantages
Enables compensation for interpersonal differences in skin dryness and finger length by selecting an optimal inactive electrode from multiple electrodes at different distances.
Improves sensitivity and accuracy of galvanic skin response measurements by customizing electrode spacing and considering known distances in analysis.
Incorporates additional electrical elements (resistors, capacitors, diodes) that can harmonize measurement scales, provide defibrillation protection, and protect equipment from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Includes sensors (thermistors, piezoelectric sensors, humidity sensors) that help calibrate measurements for temperature, finger posture, hydrogel humidity, and enable extraction of additional physiological parameters (e.g., pulse transient time).
Facilitates integration into finger probes with multiple sensors to obtain synchronized physiological data from a single finger, reducing noise and inaccuracies.
Documented Applications
Objective assessment of pain levels in subjects by measuring skin conductance and other physiological signals using the GSR electrode array attached to a single finger.
Monitoring of physiological parameters such as heart rate, heart rate variability, pulse transient time, blood flow, respiration rate, apnea, and other autonomic responses.
Integration in medical devices and finger probes for continuous monitoring during surgery, anesthesia, or other clinical conditions requiring nociception assessment.
Use in environments requiring defibrillation protection and protection against electrostatic discharge for sensitive electronic monitoring equipment.
Long-term monitoring with hydrogel humidity sensing and possible addition of hydrogel to maintain electrode-skin contact quality.
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