Systems and methods for providing an enhanced bioelectric sensing surface

• US 20040204658A1
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biomeridian International
• Original Assignee: Biomeridian International
• Inventors: Horne, Douglas S., Dietz, Phillip W.
• Application Number:
  US10/411,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204658A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/325 Preparing electrode sites, e.g. by abrasion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing and using an enhanced bioelectric sensing surface to facilitate locating and obtaining a bioelectric resistance value from a patient for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. In one implementation, a bioelectric probe tip includes a conductive base having a configuration. An abrasive bristly conductive surface is coupled to or otherwise provided on a surface area of the conductive base, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface includes a plurality of bristles. Multiple bristles are able to simultaneously contact a surface layer of a patient'"'"'s skin to enable the bioelectric probe tip to locate and obtain a bioelectric resistance value from the patient.

Claims

1. A bioelectric sensing surface configured to obtain a bioelectric resistance value of a patient, the sensing surface comprising:

an abrasive bristly conductive surface that includes a high density of bristles, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface is configured such that a plurality of bristles of the abrasive bristly conductive surface simultaneously contact a dermal surface layer of a patient to enable the sensing surface to locate and obtain a bioelectric resistance value from the patient.

2. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 1, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface is located on at least a portion of a base having a configuration.

3. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 2, wherein the base is one of:

(i) a bioelectric probe tip;

(ii) a bioelectric patch; and

(iii) a bioelectric clip.

4. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 2, wherein one of (i) a machining process, (ii) an etching process, (iii) a casting process, (iv) a molding process, and (v) an adhering process locates the abrasive bristly conductive surface on the portion of the base.

5. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 4, wherein the etching process is one of:

(i) a mechanical etching process; and

(ii) a chemical etching process.

6. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 2, wherein the base comprises one of:

(i) a conductive material; and

(ii) a non-conductive material.

7. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 2, wherein the configuration includes at least one of:

(i) a convex surface;

(ii) a concave surface;

(iii) a flat surface.

8. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 7, wherein the configuration further includes at least one of:

(i) a wide distal end; and

(ii) a roller.

9. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 1, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface is a carbide.

10. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 1, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface comprises at least one of:

(i) a metal;

(ii) a metal alloy;

(iii) graphite;

(iv) an electrical conductor;

(v) an ionic conductor; and

(vi) a conducting polymer.

11. A bioelectric sensing surface as recited in claim 1, wherein the abrasive bristly matrix reduces the need for at least one of:

(i) a precise location and (ii) a precise angle in relation with the dermal surface layer to locate and obtain the bioelectric resistance value.

12. A method for manufacturing a device for use in obtaining a bioelectric resistance value from a patient, the method comprising:

providing a base having a configuration;

forming an abrasive bristly conductive surface on at least a portion of the base, wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface is configured to contact a dermal surface layer of a patient, and wherein the abrasive bristly conductive surface is further configured to locate and obtain a bioelectric resistance value of the patient.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the base is a portion of one of:

(i) a bioelectric probe tip;

(ii) a bioelectric patch; and

(iii) a bioelectric clip.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step for forming an abrasive bristly conductive surface comprises at least one of the steps for:

(i) machining the abrasive bristly conductive surface on the base;

(ii) etching the abrasive bristly conductive surface on the base;

(iii) casting the abrasive bristly conductive surface;

(iv) molding the abrasive bristly conductive surface; and

(v) adhering the abrasive bristly conductive surface on the base.

15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step for forming an abrasive bristly conductive surface includes the steps for;

providing an abrasive bristly surface on the base; and

coating the abrasive bristly surface with a conductive coating.

16. A bioelectric probe tip configured to obtain a bioelectric resistance value of a patient, the probe tip comprising:

a base having a configuration; and

an abrasive bristly conductive surface located on a surface area of the base, wherein the bioelectric probe tip is configured such that a plurality of bristles of the abrasive bristly conductive surface simultaneously contact a dermal surface layer of a patient to enable the tip to locate and obtain a bioelectric resistance value from the patient.

17. A bioelectric probe tip as recited in claim 16, wherein the abrasive bristly matrix reduces the need for at least one of:

(i) a precise location to locate and obtain the bioelectric resistance value; and

(ii) a precise angle in relation with the dermal surface layer.

18. A bioelectric probe tip as recited in claim 16, wherein the base comprises a conductive material.

19. A bioelectric probe tip as recited in claim 16, wherein the configuration includes at least one of:

(i) a convex surface;

(ii) a concave surface;

(iii) a flat surface;

(iv) a wide distal end; and

(v) a roller.

20. A bioelectric probe tip as recited in claim 16, wherein at least one of (i) the base and (ii) the abrasive bristly conductive surface includes a conductive coating.