Electrode holder, headwear, and wire jacket adapted for use in sleep apnea testing

• US 20050277821A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwear, LLC
• Original Assignee: Charles Edward Payne
• Inventors: Payne, Charles E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener

Abstract

An electrode holder is adapted for cooperating with a strap applied to a body part of a patient to hold a surface electrode to the skin. The electrode holder includes a base and a post projecting from the base. The post is adapted for extending through the strap and into a cavity formed with the electrode. The electrode holder is releasably attached to the strap by mating hook and loop fasteners. Once attached, the post of the holder secures the electrode in position thereby reducing motion artifacts caused by disturbance of the electrode after placement against the skin of the patient.

Claims

1. An electrode holder adapted for cooperating with a strap applied to a body part of a patient to hold a surface electrode to the skin, said electrode holder comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a post projecting from said base, and adapted for extending through the strap and into a cavity formed with the electrode; and

(c) means for attaching said electrode holder to the strap, whereby said post secures said electrode in position thereby reducing motion artifacts caused by disturbance of said electrode after placement against the skin of the patient.

2. An electrode holder according to claim 1, wherein said post comprises a reinforcing member formed with said base.

3. An electrode holder according to claim 2, wherein said reinforcing member has a generally x-shaped cross-section.

4. An electrode holder according to claim 3, wherein said post further comprises an electrode-penetrating tip extending from said reinforcing member.

5. An electrode holder according to claim 4, wherein said electrode-penetrating tip has a rounded end to facilitate entry into the cavity of the electrode.

6. An electrode holder according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises a thin flat disk.

7. An electrode holder according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises hook fasteners located on said base and adapted for releasably mating with complementary loop fasteners located on the strap.

8. An electrode holder according to claim 1, wherein said base and said post are integrally formed together of a molded polymer.

9. An electrode holder according to claim 8, wherein said polymer comprises ABS plastic.

10. In combination with a strap adapted for being applied to a body part of a patient, an electrode holder cooperating with said strap to hold a surface electrode to the skin, said electrode holder comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a post projecting from said base, and extending through said strap and into a cavity formed with the electrode; and

(c) means for attaching said electrode holder to said strap, whereby said post secures said electrode in position thereby reducing motion artifacts caused by disturbance of said electrode after placement against the skin of the patient.

11. A combination holder according to claim 10, wherein said post comprises a reinforcing member formed with said base.

12. A combination according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing member has a generally x-shaped cross-section.

13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein said post further comprises an electrode-penetrating tip extending from said reinforcing member.

14. A combination according to claim 13, wherein said electrode-penetrating tip has a rounded end to facilitate entry into the cavity of the electrode.

15. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said base comprises a thin flat disk.

16. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said means for attaching comprises hook fasteners located on said base and adapted for releasably mating with complementary loop fasteners located on the strap.

17. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said base and said post are integrally formed together of a molded polymer.

18. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said polymer comprises ABS plastic.

19. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said strap defines a post-receiving slit accommodating passage of said post through said strap and into the cavity of the electrode.

20. A method for holding an electrode to the skin of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the electrode against the skin of the patient;

(b) attaching an electrode holder to a strap, the electrode holder comprising a post extending through the strap; and

(c) covering the electrode with the strap, such that the post of the electrode holder inserts into a cavity formed with the electrode; and

(d) applying the strap to a body part, whereby the post secures the electrode in position thereby reducing motion artifacts caused by disturbance of the electrode after placement against the skin of the patient.