Electrode system for electrical stimulation

Inventors

Wingeier, Brett • Chao, Daniel S. • Chang, Andrew • Von Kraus, Lee • Sarva, Amol

Assignees

Halo Abc LLC • Flow Neuroscience Inc

Abstract

A system for electrically stimulating and/or detecting bioelectrical signals of a user comprising: an array of permeable bodies configured to absorb a solution that facilitates electrical coupling with a body region of the user; a housing defining an array of protrusions conforming to the body region and comprising: an array of channels distributed across the array of protrusions, each channel at least partially surrounding a permeable body, configured to deliver the solution to the permeable body, and comprising a barrier that prevents passage of the permeable body past the barrier, and a manifold configured to distribute the solution to the array of channels; and a coupling subsystem comprising a first electrical coupling region in electrical communication with an interior of the manifold, wherein the first electrical coupling region is configured to couple to a second electrical coupling region that couples the first electrical coupling region to the electronics subsystem.

Core Innovation

The invention provides an electrode system for performing at least one of electrically stimulating a user and detecting biosignals from the user. The system uses an array of permeable bodies configured to absorb and deliver a solution that facilitates electrical coupling between the system and a body region of the user. The electrode contacts are wet and fluid-absorbing, and the solution delivery supports electrical coupling for stimulation and biosignal detection.

A housing defines an array of protrusions conforming to the body region of the user. The housing includes an array of channels distributed across the array of protrusions, where each channel at least partially surrounds a permeable body and delivers the solution to the permeable body. Each channel includes a barrier configured to prevent passage of the permeable body past the barrier in a distal to proximal direction towards the housing, while a manifold distributes the solution to the array of channels through the barriers.

The system further includes electronics subsystem components for transmitting stimulation by way of the array of permeable bodies. A coupling subsystem includes a first electrical coupling region in electrical communication with an interior portion of the manifold, and the first electrical coupling region is configured to couple to a second electrical coupling region connected to the electronics subsystem. The described coupling is configured for attachment between interior manifold regions and external electronics, including reversible coupling at a location external to the housing.

Dependent refinements specify conforming housing/protrusion geometry and channel openings that cooperate with permeable bodies. These refinements include specific protrusion shapes forming a conforming concave surface, channel openings configured to retain and grip permeable bodies, and multiplexed array regions for independent stimulation delivery. Additional refinements include solution distribution behavior controlled by manifold-connected pathways with varying flow resistance to achieve substantially uniform delivery across the pathways.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes two independent claims. Across them, the inventive coverage centers on a conforming housing with an array of channel-and-barrier structures that deliver an electrical-coupling solution to wet permeable bodies, coupled via a manifold to electronics through an electrical coupling subsystem.

Both independent claims are directed to an electrode system that delivers an electrical-coupling solution via a conforming housing with a channel array and distal-to-proximal barriers around wet permeable bodies, with a manifold distributing the solution and a coupling subsystem that interfaces manifold interior regions to electronics for stimulation and biosignal detection.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications