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Publication Number
US-9966694-B2
Publication Date
2018-05-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A biomedical electrode structure is presented. The electrode structure comprises a contact member having a tissue interfacing face for contacting a tissue surface, and an opposite electrical coupling face; at least a first electrically conductive surface disposed within said tissue interfacing face, and being configured to electrically couple to a portion of the contacted tissue; and at least two electrical connectors mounted in a spaced apart relationship on said electrical coupling face and electrically coupled to different regions of said electrically conductive surface for allowing measurement of at least one electrical property of at least a portion of said at least first electrically conductive surface residing therebetween.
Core Innovation
The biomedical electrode assembly includes a contact member having a tissue-facing face and an opposite electrical coupling face, a first elongated electrically conductive surface, and at least two spaced-apart electrical connectors on the electrical coupling face. The first elongated electrically conductive surface is coupled to the electrical connectors so that electrical properties of the conductive surface residing between connector regions can be measured along a length of the conductive surface.
A testing mode and a measurement/monitoring mode are provided. The testing mode verifies electrode condition by applying signals through one electrical connector and sensing through another electrical connector, and generating calibrating data. The measurement/monitoring mode applies and/or senses signals to/from tissue using the electrical connectors and the first elongated electrically conductive surface.
In embodiments with a second spaced-apart electrically conductive surface, parallel to the first elongated electrically conductive surface, the electrode operates in a mixed mode. In mixed mode, active application of current is performed via the first elongated electrically conductive surface while sensing is performed via the second spaced-apart electrically conductive surface, improving current homogeneity and reducing patient discomfort.
Connector unit concepts are also described for electrically coupling monitoring equipment to an electrode structure having two electrical connectors. The connector unit includes two electrically conductive latching elements shiftable between engaged and disengaged states, and a housing configured to receive two electrically conductive wires and electrically couple each wire with a respective latching element.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified provides a connector unit for electrically coupling monitoring equipment to an electrode structure having two electrical connectors. The independent claim specifies two electrically conductive latching elements with engaged and disengaged states, a housing that receives two electrically conductive wires and electrically couples each wire with a respective latching element, and depressible actuators with lever arms that shift a stationary and movable hook shaped clasping arrangement defining clasping openings.
Electrically conductive latching elements with engaged/disengaged states
Two electrically conductive latching elements are shiftable between engaged and disengaged states.
Housing configured to electrically couple wires to respective latching elements
A housing is configured to receive two electrically conductive wires and electrically couple each wire with a respective one of the two electrically conductive latching elements.
Depressible actuators with lever arms for reversible state shifting
Two actuators movably attached to the housing are configured and operable to shift the latching elements between their engaged and disengaged states; the actuators are depressible actuators having lever arms mechanically coupled to the latching elements, where the lever arms are reversibly depressible towards the housing.
Stationary and movable hook shaped clasping arrangement defining clasping openings
Each latching element comprises a stationary hook shaped member and a movable hook shaped member positioned in a clasping arrangement, such that the hook shaped members define a clasping opening.
Engaging and releasing corresponding connecting elements of the electrode structure
Two latching elements are configured to engage to grab corresponding connecting elements of the electrode structure and disengage to release them.
Holding electrically conducting studs of the electrical connectors
The latching elements are configured to hold and engage electrically conducting studs of the two electrical connectors of the electrode structure.
Lever arms having bay portions attach over knee elements on opposing housing sides
The lever arms have bay portions that can movably fit and attach over knee elements on opposing sides of the housing.
Reversible actuator-driven state change for attachment to electric connectors
The actuators reversibly change the states of the latching elements to enable attachment of the connector unit to electric connectors.
Pressing and retracting to change clasping opening for stud insertion and firm embracing
Pressing the lever arms towards the housing moves the movable hook shaped members away from the stationary hook shaped members to increase clasping openings for inserting electrically conducting studs, and releasing pressure retracts the movable members so the clasping openings firmly embrace the studs to electrically connect the wires to the studs.
Across the independent claim and dependent refinements, the coverage centers on a connector unit where two electrically conductive latching elements with engaged/disengaged states are electrically coupled to wires in a housing, and depressible lever-arm actuators shift a stationary and movable hook shaped clasping arrangement to change clasping openings for electrical coupling to electrically conducting studs of an electrode structure.
Stated Advantages
Improving current homogeneity.
Reducing patient discomfort.
Documented Applications
Operating in a testing mode to verify electrode condition and generate calibrating data.
Operating in a measurement/monitoring mode to apply and/or sense signals to/from tissue.
Using mixed mode with active current application via the first elongated electrically conductive surface and sensing via the second spaced-apart electrically conductive surface.
Electrically coupling monitoring equipment to an electrode structure having two electrical connectors using a connector unit.
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