Electrode for obtaining a biopotential signal

• US 20070010729A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Virtanen, Juha, Savinen, Outi, Kall, Magnus
• Granted Patent: US 7,366,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/257 using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/266 containing electrolytes, conductive gels or pastes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/325 Preparing electrode sites, e.g. by abrasion

Abstract

An electrode for obtaining a biopotential signal from the skin of a subject. The electrode comprises an adhesive element, an electrode body, an electrically conductive electrode pad, a sponge element, soaked with conductive gel, and means for skin abrasion. The means for skin abrasion comprises abrasion elements forming an integrated structure with the electrode pad, the abrasion elements being so dimensioned that the sponge element prevents the abrasion elements from touching the skin when biopotential signals are measured and enables mechanical contact between the skin and the abrasion elements when the electrode pad is pushed towards the skin. The electrode body is made flexible to enable intentional movement of the electrode pad relative to the adhesive element.

Claims

1. An electrode for obtaining a bioelectric signal from the skin of a subject, the electrode comprising an adhesive element, an electrode body, an electrically conductive electrode pad, a sponge element, soaked with conductive gel, and means for skin abrasion, the means for skin abrasion comprising abrasion elements forming an integrated structure with the electrode pad, the abrasion elements being so dimensioned that the sponge element prevents the abrasion elements from touching the skin when biopotential signals are measured and enables mechanical contact between the skin and the abrasion elements when the electrode pad is pushed towards the skin, and the electrode body being made flexible to enable intentional movement of the electrode pad relative to the adhesive element.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are formed by toothing provided on the bottom surface to the electrode pad.

3. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are formed by multiple knife-elements placed at the outer edge of the electrode pad.

4. The electrode of claim 3, wherein the abrasion elements comprise an abrasive element placed at the middle area of the bottom surface of the electrode pad.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are formed by a circular knife-element placed at the outer edge of the electrode pad.

6. The electrode of claim 4, wherein the abrasion elements comprise an abrasive element placed at the middle area of the bottom surface of the electrode pad.

7. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are formed of electrically conducting material.

8. The electrode of claims 1, wherein the abrasion elements are formed of electrically non-conductive material.

9. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are arranged to contact through the sponge element to the skin of the subject.

10. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are arranged to contact beside the sponge element to the skin of the subject.

11. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the electrode body is obtained by elasticity of the electrode body material.

12. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the electrode body is obtained by accordion folds made into the electrode body material.

13. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the abrasion elements are substantially rigid elements.

14. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sponge element is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the adhesive element.