Radial electrode array

• US 20070260133A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meyer, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/393
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/288 for foetal cardiography, e.g. scalp electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/391 of genito-urinary organs

Abstract

A sensor array apparatus for monitoring medical signals includes a flexible substrate adapted to generally conform to a topography of a skin surface. The flexible substrate includes a central portion arranged about a central focal point and a plurality of finger-like projections extending radially outwardly from the central portion. A medical electrode is disposed on at least one of the finger-like projections, preferably, each of the finger-like projections. Connector, in electrical communication with the medical electrode, is adapted to connect to an electronic system.

Claims

1. A sensor array apparatus for monitoring medical signals, which comprises:

a flexible substrate adapted to generally conform to a topography of a skin surface, said flexible substrate including a central portion arranged about a central focal point and a plurality of finger-like projections extending radially outwardly from said central portion;

a medical electrode disposed on at least one of said finger-like projections; and

a connector in electrical communication with said medical electrode and adapted to connect to an electronic system.

2. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 including at least one reference electrode disposed on said central portion of said substrate.

3. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said finger-like projection includes at least one medical electrode disposed thereon.

4. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 3 including at least one reference electrode mounted to said central portion of said substrate.

5. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said reference electrode is generally aligned with respect to said central focal point of said central portion.

6. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said medical electrodes disposed on said finger-like projections are a predetermined distance relative to said reference electrode when said flexible substrate is applied along the skin surface, whereby said predetermined distance for at least some of said electrodes is substantially the same.

7. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate is generally symmetrically arranged about an axis of symmetry whereby a finger like projection on one side of the axis of symmetry has a corresponding finger-like projection on the opposite side of the axis of symmetry.

8. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flexible substrate is generally symmetrically arranged about an axis of symmetry whereby a finger like projection on one side of the axis of symmetry has a corresponding finger-like projection on the opposite side of the axis of symmetry.

9. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said electrodes disposed on corresponding finger-like projections on each side of the axis of symmetry are spaced at substantially equal distances relative to said reference electrode when said flexible substrate is applied along the skin surface.

10. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate includes properties of elongation.

11. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate is a dielectric

12. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate is selected from a group consisting of biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate polyester film, polyolefin silica blend, natural woven fibers, synthetic non-woven material or paper

13. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible substrate defines at least one reference aperture for accommodating a body structure.

14. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said at least one reference aperture is adapted to at least partially encapsulate umbilicus tissue.

15. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said flexible substrate defines two reference apertures.

16. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the orientation of said flexible substrate can be rotated to provide access to said electrical connector from either side of patent tissue and one of said two reference apertures partially encapsulates umbilicus tissue.

17. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 13 including:

at least one reference electrode disposed on said central portion of said flexible substrate; and

two apertures adapted to permit said connector to interface with said electronic system from either side of patient tissue.

18. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said medical electrodes is disposed on said flexible substrate, wherein conductive traces disposed on said flexible substrate connect said at least one medical electrode to said connector.

19. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said conductive traces are disposed on said flexible substrate by a silk screen printing process, photoengraving process, chemical etching process, laser etching process or masking process.

20. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said conductive traces are covered by dielectric material and said medical electrodes are covered by conductive gel.

21. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said medical electrodes include:

a reference electrode adjacent said central portion;

at least one monopolar medical electrode in a unipolar arrangement on each of said finger-like projections;

whereby bio-electric information is monitored between at least one of said unipolar electrodes and said reference electrode.

22. A sensor array apparatus for monitoring medical signals, which comprises:

a flexible substrate defining a central focal point;

a plurality of medical electrodes disposed on the periphery of said flexible substrate; and

at least one connector in electrical communication with said medical electrodes and adapted to connect to an electronic system.

23. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said flexible substrate generally defines a shape selected from a group consisting of a circle, triangle, square, rectangle, polygon, or oval.

24. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said electrodes are disposed at substantially equal predetermined radial distances with respect to said central focal point.

25. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said electrodes are generally symmetrically arranged on said flexible substrate about an axis of symmetry whereby a medical electrode on one side of said axis of symmetry has a corresponding medical electrode on the opposite side of said axis of symmetry.

26. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 22 further including a reference electrode.

27. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said reference electrode defines at least one reference aperture for partially encapsulating a body structure.

28. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said reference electrode extends around the inner perimeter of said flexible substrate.

29. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said plurality of medical electrodes are each spaced at substantially equal distances with respect to said reference electrode.

30. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 22 further including:

a second flexible substrate associated with said central focal point; and

a reference electrode disposed on said second flexible substrate whereby bio-electric information is monitored between at least one of said medical electrodes and said reference electrode.

31. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said second flexible substrate associated with said central focal point and said flexible substrate associated with the periphery of said central focal point are in mechanical communication.

32. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 26 wherein second flexible substrate defines at least one reference aperture adapted to at least partially encapsulate umbilicus tissue.

33. The sensor array apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said reference electrode extends around the inner perimeter of said reference aperture and each of said medical electrodes are a predetermined distance along the skin relative to said reference electrode, whereby said predetermined distance for each electrode is substantially the same.