Skin-mounted electrodes with nano spikes

• US 20020028991A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Thompson, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,690,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/293 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/734 Fullerenes, i.e. graphene-based structures, such as nanohorns, nanococoons, nanoscrolls or fullerene-like structures, e.g. WS2 or MoS2 chalcogenide nanotubes, planar C3N4, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/925 Bioelectrical

Abstract

Epidermally mountable device includes terminus structures to enable positive connection with conductive tissue. The device includes nano spikes shaped to penetrate the epidermis of the skin to collect electrical biopotentials such as cardiac depolarization waveforms (ECGs) and various signals transmitted by implanted devices. Generally, the nano spikes are integrated on a substrate comprising, preferably, a flexible metalized conductive plate attachable to an adhesive backing. The device could be mounted on any external body of the patient to collect ECG, EEG or other signals. Further, the device is adaptable to include a programmable microprocessor, including memory and an antenna to store, receive and transmit data as needed. In one embodiment, in addition to collecting physiologic data through direct contact, the device may also be used as a smart patch to download, store and transfer data from implanted medical devices or other data sources using wireless data transmission medium.

Claims

1. A device for establishing reliable contact with conductive tissue, the device comprising:

a plurality of shaped nano spikes attachable to the conductive tissue; and

a conductive substrate on said plurality of nano spikes integrated therewith;

at least one electrode formed on said substrate to collect biopotential signals sensed by said nano spikes in contact with the conductive tissue.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of nano spikes include shapes configured to penetrate the cornified layer of the skin.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of nano spikes include angularly disposed end shapes configured to contact the conductive tissue at various angles.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said shapes are formed at protruding extremities of said nano spikes.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said shapes are selected from one and a combination of pins, knives, spikes, prismatics forming pointed extremities to penetrate the cornified layer of the skin.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said nano spikes are less than about 10 micron length.

7. A biopotential sensing and display system in operable data communication with a programmer, the combination comprising:

the programmer;

a plurality of nano spikes integrated with at least one electrode substrate to provide said biopotential sensing; and

an interface providing said operable data communication between said at least one electrode substrate and the programmer.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the at least one electrode provides ECG input to the programmer via said interface.

9. A smart patch including shaped nano spikes attachable to the skin, the smart patch comprising:

a microprocessor controller including a programmable memory;

a telemetry transceiver to operate in a biodirectional data communication mode under the control of the microprocessor; and

said nano spikes including electrodes to detect biopotential signals for storage in the programmable memory.

10. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein said telemetry transceiver transmits said biopotential signals to another device.

11. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein said electrodes include electrodes positioned in orthogonal configuration.

12. The smart patch of claim 10 wherein said telemetry is implemented to collect data from various devices.

13. The smart patch of claim 10 wherein said various devices consist of the group selected from pacemakers, defibrillators, Chronicle™

, neurological devices, drug administration devices and a combination thereof.

14. The smart patch of claim 12 wherein said data collected from said various devices is transmitted to another device or data collection center.

15. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein the smart patch is implemented to replace an ILR (implantable loop recorder) device.

16. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein the smart patch is implemented to replace difficult to apply electrodes for EEG input.

17. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein the telemetry transceiver is operable with one and a combination of telemetry A, B and C.

18. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein the electrodes are implemented to record EEG electrical body wave-forms.

19. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein said patch is implemented to collect data from a body bus medical device.

20. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein said patch is detachable and adaptable for downloading data stored in the programmable memory.

21. The smart patch of claim 9 wherein dug and agent delivery from a device is controlled by the biopotential signals sensed at the electrodes.