Electrode array system for measuring electrophysiological signals

• US 20020183605A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Chamoun, Nassib G., Fendrock, Charles, Devlin, Philip H., Cordero, Rafael M., Shambroom, John R., McDaniel, Terrie L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,654,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• 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 5/4821 Determining level or depth of anaesthesia A61B5/1106 takes precedence

Abstract

An array of electrodes is constructed to allow the user to easily adjust to the correct size of the patient'"'"'s head. The array is self-adhesive, pre-gelled and disposable. The array fits easily over the temple and forehead areas where EEG signals can be acquired by specially designed monitors for purposes of monitoring a number of bodily phenomena, including but not limited to, depth of anesthesia, and/or ischemia, and burst suppression. The array is connected to the monitor via a tab connector that is integral to the disposable device. The tab connector is insertible into a reusable connector that is part of a monitoring system.

Claims

1. An array of electrodes, including only three electrodes, for monitoring physiological electrical signals, said array comprising:

a flexible body having a main portion, one satellite portion, and a flexible connector connected between said main portion and said one satellite portion;

two electrodes of the three electrodes being positioned on said main portion and a third electrode of the three electrodes being positioned on said satellite portions.

2. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 wherein conductors are positioned on said flexible body to carry signals from said electrodes.

3. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 2 wherein said array further comprises a tab connection into which said conductors are inserted and locked.

4. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 3 were in said tab connection comprises

a body into which said conductors are inserted, said body having a first end and a second end;

a hinge position between said first end and said second end about which said second end is rotated to be positioned in close proximity to said first end;

a locking mechanism for locking said second end adjacent said first end.

5. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 wherein said array further comprises an adhesive material on one surface of said flexible body.

6. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 further comprising non-conductive tines positioned beneath each electrode for separating layers of a patient'"'"'s skin.

7. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 further comprising a blow-out compartment for storing electrolytic gel out of contact with gel from any other electrode.

8. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 6 further comprising a sponge through which said tines pass to contact a patient'"'"'s skin.

9. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 3 wherein said tab connector further comprises at least two rails for guiding said connector into a reusable connector of said monitor, said rails being dimensioned uniquely for a particular application.

10. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 wherein said conductors are Ag/AgCl conductors.

11. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 further comprising a salt bridge barrier for preventing electrolytic gel in contact with one of said electrodes from contacting electrolytic gel in contact with a second of said electrodes.

12. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 1 further comprising means for storing a unique code in a connector attached to said array.

14. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 wherein conductors are positioned on said flexible body to carry signals from said electrodes.

15. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 14 wherein said array further comprises a tab connection into which said conductors are inserted and locked.

16. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 15 were in said tab connection comprises

a body into which said conductors are inserted, said body having a first end and a second end;

a hinge position between said first end and said second end about which said second end is rotated to be positioned in close proximity to said first end;

a locking mechanism for locking said second end adjacent said first end.

17. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 wherein said array further comprises an adhesive material on one surface of said flexible body.

18. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 further comprising non-conductive tines positioned beneath each electrode for separating layers of a patient'"'"'s skin.

19. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 further comprising a blow-out compartment for storing electrolytic gel out of contact with gel from any other electrode.

20. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 18 further comprising a sponge through which said tines pass to contact a patient'"'"'s skin.

21. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 15 wherein said tab connector further comprises at least two rails for guiding said connector into a reusable connector of said monitor, said rails being dimensioned uniquely for a particular application.

22. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 wherein said conductors are Ag/AgCl conductors.

23. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 further comprising a salt bridge barrier for preventing electrolytic gel in contact with one of said electrodes from contacting electrolytic gel in contact with a second of said electrodes.

24. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 13 further comprising means for storing a code unique to the array in a connector attached to said flexible body.

26. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 wherein conductors are positioned on said flexible body to carry signals from said electrodes.

27. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 26 wherein said array further comprises a tab connection into which said conductors are inserted and locked.

28. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 27 were in said tab connection comprises

a body into which said conductors are inserted, said body having a first end and a second end;

a hinge position between said first end and said second end about which said second end is rotated to be positioned in close proximity to said first end;

a locking mechanism for locking said second end adjacent said first end.

29. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 wherein said array further comprises an adhesive material on one surface of said flexible body.

30. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 further comprising non-conductive tines positioned beneath each electrode for separating layers of a patient'"'"'s skin.

31. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 further comprising a blow-out compartment for storing electrolytic gel out of contact with gel from any other electrode.

32. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 30 further comprising a sponge through which said tines pass to contact a patient'"'"'s skin.

33. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 27 wherein said tab connector further comprises at least two rails for guiding said connector into a reusable connector of said monitor, said rails being dimensioned uniquely for a particular application.

34. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 wherein said conductors are Ag/AgCl conductors.

35. The array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 25 further comprising a salt bridge barrier for preventing electrolytic gel in contact with one of said electrodes from contacting electrolytic gel in contact with a second of said electrodes.

37. The method of positioning electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 36 further comprising the step of positioning a third electrode adjacent said first electrode on the forehead of the subject.

38. The method of positioning electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals of claim 36 further comprising the step of positioning a third electrode on the forehead of the subject and a fourth electrode on a second temple of the subject, said third electrode being positioned adjacent said first electrode.

13. An array of electrodes, including only four electrodes, for monitoring physiological electrical signals, said array comprising:

a flexible body having a main portion, at least one satellite portion, and a flexible connector connected between said main portion and each of said at least one satellite portion;

at least two electrodes of the four electrodes being positioned on said main portion and one electrode of the four electrodes being positioned on each of said satellite portions.

25. An array of electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals, said array comprising:

at least one electrode;

means for storing a code unique to the array in a connector attached to said electrode array.

36. A method of positioning electrodes for monitoring physiological electrical signals, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning a first electrode on a forehead of a subject from whom the electrical signals are to be monitored;

positioning a second electrode on a first temple of the subject from whom the electrical signals are to be monitored.