Method and device for quick press on EEG electrode
Inventors
Wilson, Scott B. • Scheuer, Mark • Johnson, Dale • Clear, Scott
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8185183-B1
Publication Date
2012-05-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring bioelectric potentials. In some instances, an electrode is applied to a patient's skin. The electrode may be at least partly inserted into the patient's skin, such as by inserting at least part of one or more teeth underneath the skin.
Core Innovation
An electrode is disclosed that includes a main portion defining a plane and a plurality of legs extending radially from the main portion. The legs carry a plurality of protrusions that also extend radially, with the main portion, legs, and protrusions lying in the plane in an initial configuration. Each leg is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to an attack configuration and to return toward the initial configuration upon release of the force.
When the electrode is placed against skin of a patient, the protrusions insert into the skin upon the electrode returning from the attack configuration to the initial configuration. The disclosed structure supports stable placement for receiving biopotentials and reduces skin movement artifacts through engagement with the epidermis/stratum corneum region.
The described EEG electrode system includes an applicator and an EEG recording system/kit with electronics, amplifier/filtering, conversion to digital, analysis/recording, and wireless/receiver components, in conjunction with electrode insertion/attachment using a suspension/applicator mechanism. Alternative electrode behavior is described where the electrode can expand then contract, and removal tools are included for detaching the electrode after use.
Claims Coverage
The provided material shows five independent claims directed to the mechanical self-anchoring electrode architecture, including three claims specifically for an EEG electrode. Across the independent claims, the core inventive theme is a planar electrode with legs that bend away into an attack configuration under applied force and return to an initial configuration to drive protrusions/teeth into patient skin, with several claims further narrowing geometry and electrical/mechanical ranges.
Bending legs with radially extending protrusions to self-anchor to skin
An electrode comprising a main portion defining a plane; a plurality of legs extending radially from the main portion; and a plurality of protrusions extending radially from each of the plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to the electrode from the initial configuration to an attack configuration and to return towards the initial configuration upon release of the force, whereby when the electrode is placed against skin of a patient, each of the plurality of protrusions inserts into the skin of the patient upon the electrode returning from the attack configuration to the initial configuration and secures the electrode to the skin of the patient.
EEG electrode with attack angle and teeth length constraints
An electrode for EEG comprising a main portion defining a plane; a plurality of legs extending away from the main portion; and a plurality of teeth extending from each of the plurality of legs, each of the plurality of teeth having a length of at least 50 microns and less than 1000 microns, wherein each of the plurality of legs is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to an attack configuration and to return towards the initial configuration upon release of the force, wherein an attack configuration of each of the plurality of legs is at an attack angle of at least 20 degrees and less than 60 degrees relative to the main portion, and each of the plurality of legs is substantially planar with the main portion upon application of a force on the electrode.
EEG electrode with attack angle relative to a score line
An electrode for EEG comprising a main portion defining a plane; a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs extending opposite from an opposing leg of the plurality of legs; and a plurality of teeth extending from each of the plurality of legs, each of the plurality of teeth having a length of at least 50 microns and less than 1000 microns, wherein each of the plurality of legs is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to an attack configuration and to return towards the initial configuration upon release of the force, wherein an attack configuration of each of the plurality of legs is at an attack angle of at least 20 degrees and less than 60 degrees relative to a score line.
Multi-leg, multi-protrusion electrode with first and second legs bending to an attack configuration
An electrode comprising a main portion defining a plane; a first leg extending away from the main portion, the first leg having a plurality of first protrusions extending from an end of the first leg opposite of the main portion; and a second leg extending away from the main portion, the second leg having a plurality of second protrusions extending from an end of the second leg opposite of the main portion, wherein each of the first and second legs is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to an attack configuration wherein each of the first and second legs do not lie in the plane, and to return towards the initial configuration upon release of the force.
EEG electrode coplanar initial legs/protrusions that secure skin during return
An electrode for EEG comprising a main portion defining a plane; a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs extending opposite from an opposing leg of the plurality of legs; and a plurality of protrusions extending from each of the plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs and each of the plurality of protrusions lie in a plane in an initial configuration, wherein each of the plurality of legs is configured to bend away from the plane upon application of a force to an attack configuration wherein each of the plurality of legs do not lie in the plane, and each of the plurality of legs returns towards the initial configuration upon release of the force, whereby when the electrode is placed against skin of a patient, each of the plurality of protrusions inserts into the skin of the patient upon the electrode returning from the attack configuration to the initial configuration and secures the electrode to the skin of the patient.
Across the independent claims, the document covers a self-anchoring electrode architecture in which legs bend away from a planar initial configuration into an attack configuration under applied force and then return upon release, driving protrusions/teeth into patient skin to secure electrical contact. Additional independent claim scope narrows the EEG electrode embodiments with specific attack-angle relationships, tooth/protrusion length ranges, and a constrained planar geometry.
Stated Advantages
Secures the electrode to the skin of the patient by inserting protrusions into the skin as the electrode returns from the attack configuration to the initial configuration.
Provides stable electrical contact for receiving biopotentials while characterizing engagement with the epidermis/stratum corneum region to reduce skin movement artifacts.
Documented Applications
EEG recording using an electrode that self-anchors by inserting teeth/protrusions into patient skin, as part of an EEG recording system/kit including electronics, amplifier/filtering, digital conversion, analysis/recording, and wireless/receiver components.
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