Medical electrode and release liner configurations facilitating pakaged electrode characterization
First Claim
1. An electrode comprising:
- a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one nonconductive region therein.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode includes a conductive adhesive layer and a conductive foil layer having a void therein. One such electrode may be mounted in conjunction with another electrode upon a release liner having one or more openings therein to facilitate electrical signal exchange between electrodes. A release liner may include a moisture permeable and/or moisture absorbent membrane. A release liner may alternatively include a conductive backing layer. A release liner may also include an insulating swatch covering an opening. A release liner may be implemented as a foldable sheet, such that multiple electrodes may be mounted upon the same side of the foldable sheet. A medical device to which the mounted electrodes are coupled may characterize the electrical path between the electrodes. The medical device may perform a variety of electrical measurements, including real and/or complex impedance measurements. Based upon one or more measurements, the medical device may provide an indication of electrode condition, fitness for use, and/or an estimated remaining lifetime. An electrode condition indicator, which may form a portion of the medical device, may generate, present, or display electrode condition and/or estimated remaining lifetime information via a visual metaphor, such as a fuel gauge.
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Citations
177 Claims
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1. An electrode comprising:
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a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one nonconductive region therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electrode comprising:
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a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one void therein that provides a nonconductive region within the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrode comprising:
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a conductive adhesive layer;
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer; and
a set of swatches positioned between the conductive adhesive layer and the conductive layer, wherein a swatch is characterized by an area that is smaller than that of the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. An electrode comprising an ultrasonic transmitter.
- 21. An electrode comprising an ultrasonic receiver.
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24. A system comprising:
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a device comprising an electrical measurement element; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one nonconductive region therein. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An system comprising:
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a device comprising an electrical measurement element; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one void therein that provides a nonconductive region within the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system comprising:
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a device comprising an electrical measurement element; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer;
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer; and
a set of swatches positioned between the conductive adhesive layer and the conductive layer, wherein a swatch is characterized by an area that is smaller than that of the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system comprising:
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a device comprising an electrical measurement element; and
an electrode comprising an ultrasonic transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. A system comprising:
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a device comprising an electrical measurement element; and
an electrode comprising an ultrasonic receiver. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer; and
one from the group of a moisture permeable membrane and a moisture absorbent membrane. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A release liner comprising:
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a first release layer;
one from the group of a moisture permeable membrane and a moisture absorbent membrane; and
a second release layer. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55)
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56. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer having an electrode mounting side and a rear side; and
a conductive strip upon the electrode mounting side, wherein the conductive strip is maintained in a position parallel to the electrode mounting side. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side; and
a conductive band that encircles the first and second sides.
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59. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side;
a first conductive strip upon the first side; and
a second conductive strip upon the second side, wherein the first conductive strip is maintained in a position parallel to the first side.
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60. A release liner comprising:
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a single release layer having an electrode mounting side, a rear side, and a set of openings; and
a conductive backing layer positioned upon a portion of the release liner'"'"'s rear side. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A release liner comprising:
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a conductive backing layer;
a first release portion positioned upon a portion of the conductive backing layer; and
a second release portion positioned upon a portion of the conductive backing layer, wherein the first and second release portions may be positioned in an essentially identical plane. - View Dependent Claims (66)
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67. A release liner comprising:
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a first release layer having a first opening;
a second release layer having a second opening; and
a conductive adhesive layer between the first and second release layers. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69)
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70. A release liner comprising:
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a conductive adhesive layer; and
a foldable release layer folded to surround a portion of the conductive adhesive layer. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
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74. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer having an opening; and
an insulating swatch positioned over a portion of the opening.
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75. A release liner comprising:
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a release layer having a first and a second opening; and
an insulating swatch positioned over a portion of the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (76)
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77. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer;
one from the group of a moisture permeable membrane and a moisture absorbent membrane; and
a first electrode mounted upon the release layer. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80)
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81. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side;
one from the group of a moisture permeable membrane and a moisture absorbent membrane;
a first electrode mounted upon the release layer'"'"'s first side; and
a second electrode mounted upon the release layer'"'"'s first side. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83)
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84. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side;
a conductive strip upon the first side; and
a first electrode upon the first side, wherein the conductive strip is maintained in a position parallel to the first side. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side;
a conductive strip that encircles the first and second sides; and
a first electrode upon the first side.
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90. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having a first side and a second side;
a first conductive strip upon the first side;
a second conductive strip upon the second side; and
a first electrode upon the first side, wherein the first conductive strip is maintained in a position parallel to the first side.
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91. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a single release layer having an electrode mounting side, a rear side, a first opening, and a second opening;
a conductive backing layer positioned upon a portion of the release liner'"'"'s rear side; and
a first electrode covering a portion of the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
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97. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a conductive backing layer;
a first release portion positioned upon the conductive backing layer;
a second release portion positioned upon the conductive backing layer; and
a first electrode upon the first release portion, wherein the first and second release portions may be maintained in an essentially identical plane. - View Dependent Claims (98)
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99. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a first release layer having a first opening therein;
a second release layer having a second opening therein;
a conductive adhesive layer between the first and second release layers;
a first electrode upon the first release layer; and
a second electrode upon the second release layer. - View Dependent Claims (100, 101)
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102. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a conductive adhesive layer;
a foldable release layer folded to surround a portion of the conductive adhesive layer; and
a set of electrodes mounted upon the foldable release layer. - View Dependent Claims (103, 104, 105)
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106. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having at least one opening;
an insulating swatch positioned over a portion of an opening; and
a set of electrodes upon the release layer. - View Dependent Claims (107)
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108. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release liner; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer including a nonconductive region therein. - View Dependent Claims (109, 110, 111)
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112. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release liner; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer;
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer; and
an internal swatch between the conductive adhesive layer and the conductive layer, wherein the internal swatch is characterized by an area that is smaller than that of the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (113, 114, 115)
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116. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release layer having an opening therein; and
an electrode comprising;
a conductive adhesive layer; and
a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having a recess therein, wherein the recess is positioned over a portion of the release layer'"'"'s opening.
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117. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release liner; and
an electrode comprising an ultrasonic transmitter.
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118. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release liner; and
an electrode comprising an ultrasonic receiver.
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119. A release liner and electrode system comprising:
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a release liner; and
at least one electrode mounted upon the release liner, wherein an impedance associated with the electrode is greater than a typical patient impedance range when the electrode exhibits acceptable operating parameters. - View Dependent Claims (120)
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121. A packaged electrode arrangement comprising:
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a rigid container having an electrical interface incorporated therein;
a release liner having an opening therein; and
an electrode mounted upon the release liner.
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122. A packaged electrode having an associated install by date that indicates a date by which the electrode should be coupled to one from the group of a medical device and a measuring device.
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123. An electrode status indicator comprising:
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a panel corresponding to a visual metaphor; and
an indicating element positioned relative to the panel. - View Dependent Claims (124, 125, 126, 127)
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128. A package for medical electrodes comprising:
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a release liner;
a set of electrodes mounted upon the release liner; and
an electrode status indicator comprising;
a panel corresponding to a visual metaphor; and
an indicating element positioned relative to the panel. - View Dependent Claims (129, 130, 131)
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132. A device coupled to a packaged electrode, the device comprising:
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circuitry for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to the electrode; and
a subsystem for indicating an electrode status via a visual metaphor. - View Dependent Claims (133, 134, 135)
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136. A device coupled to a packaged electrode, the device comprising:
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circuitry for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to the electrode; and
a subsystem for indicating an estimated time period that the electrode is likely to exhibit a given range of operating characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (137, 138, 139)
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140. A method for characterizing an electrode mounted upon a release liner, the electrode comprising a conductive layer coupled to a conductive adhesive layer, the conductive adhesive layer characterized by a thickness, the method comprising the step of generating an electrical current along an electrical path internal to the electrode that is characterized by an electrical path length significantly greater than the thickness of the conductive adhesive layer.
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141. A method for characterizing an electrode mounted upon a release liner, the electrode comprising a conductive layer coupled to a conductive adhesive layer, the method comprising the step of generating an electrical current along an electrical path internal to the electrode that includes a current component that is parallel to the conductive layer.
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142. A method for characterizing a pair of electrodes mounted upon a release liner, each electrode comprising a conductive layer and a conductive adhesive layer, the method comprising the step of generating an electrical current along an electrical path internal to the electrodes that is longer than a shortest distance between the electrodes'"'"' conductive layers.
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143. In a system comprising a device coupled to an electrode mounted upon a release liner, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to the electrode, the method comprising the step of performing a temperature compensated impedance measurement.
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144. In a system comprising a device coupled to an electrode mounted upon a release liner, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to the electrode, the method comprising the step of performing a capacitance measurement.
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145. In a system comprising a device coupled to an electrode mounted upon a release liner, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to the electrode, the method comprising the step of performing a complex impedance measurement.
- 146. In a system comprising a device coupled via lead wires to at least one electrode mounted upon a release liner, at least one electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer and a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one nonconductive region therein, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to an electrode and the lead wires comprising the step of determining whether electrical continuity exists along the electrical path.
- 149. In a system comprising a device coupled via lead wires to at least one electrode mounted upon a release liner, at least one electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer and a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, the conductive layer having at least one void therein that provides a nonconductive region within the conductive layer, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to an electrode and the lead wires comprising the step of determining whether electrical continuity exists along the electrical path.
- 152. In a system comprising a device coupled via lead wires to at least one electrode mounted upon a release liner, at least one electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer, a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, and a set of swatches positioned between the conductive adhesive layer and the conductive layer, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to an electrode and the lead wires comprising the step of determining whether electrical continuity exists along the electrical path.
- 155. In a system comprising a device coupled via lead wires to at least one electrode mounted upon a release liner, at least one electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer, a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, and an ultrasonic transmitter, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to an electrode and the lead wires comprising the step of determining whether electrical continuity exists along the electrical path.
- 158. In a system comprising a device coupled via lead wires to at least one electrode mounted upon a release liner, at least one electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer, a conductive layer coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, and an ultrasonic receiver, a method for characterizing an electrical path corresponding to an electrode and the lead wires comprising the step of determining whether electrical continuity exists along the electrical path.
- 161. In a system comprising a device coupled to at least one electrode, a method for determining an impedance of an electrical path that includes an electrode, the method comprising the step of measuring a temperature.
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164. In a system comprising a medical device coupled to an electrode, a method for determining whether the electrode is mounted upon a release liner comprising the steps of:
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determining an impedance of an electrical path that includes the electrode; and
comparing the impedance to a typical patient impedance level; and
determining that the electrode is mounted upon the release liner in the event that the impedance exceeds the typical patient impedance level and the electrical path exhibits electrical continuity. - View Dependent Claims (165, 166)
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167. In a system comprising a medical device, at least one electrode, an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic receiver, a method for determining whether an electrode is mounted upon a release liner comprising the steps of:
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generating an ultrasonic signal at a first time;
detecting the ultrasonic signal at a second time; and
determining a separation distance in accordance with a difference between the first time and the second time.
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168. In a system comprising a device capable of performing an electrical measurement coupled to an electrode mounted upon a release liner, the electrode comprising a conductive adhesive layer, a method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an electrical characteristic of an electrical path that includes the electrode; and
determining a current condition of the conductive adhesive layer based upon the electrical characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (169, 170)
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171. In a system comprising a device capable of performing an electrical measurement coupled via a set of lead wires to a pair of electrodes mounted upon a release liner, each electrode comprising a conductive layer and a conductive adhesive layer, a method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an electrical characteristic of an electrical path defined by the lead wires, each electrode'"'"'s conductive layer, and a portion of each electrode'"'"'s conductive adhesive layer exclusive of other conductive pathways; and
determining a current operating condition of an electrode'"'"'s conductive adhesive layer based upon the electrical characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (172)
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173. In a system comprising a device capable of performing an electrical measurement coupled via a set of lead wires to a pair of electrodes mounted upon a release liner, each electrode comprising a conductive layer and a conductive adhesive layer, a method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an electrical characteristic of an electrical path defined by the lead wires, each electrode'"'"'s conductive layer, and a portion of each electrode'"'"'s conductive adhesive layer exclusive of other conductive pathways; and
determining an estimated remaining lifetime corresponding to an electrode'"'"'s conductive adhesive layer based upon the electrical characteristic.
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174. A method for indicating a status corresponding to an electrode mounted upon a release liner, comprising the steps of:
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performing an electrical measurement upon a current path that includes the electrode; and
indicating an electrode status via a visual metaphor. - View Dependent Claims (175, 176, 177)
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Specification