FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS

• US 20100016701A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Objectivision Limited
• Original Assignee: Objectivision Limited
• Inventors: Cheng, Arthur, Graham, Stuart Lindsay, Klistorner, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,705,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use

Abstract

A flexible electrode assembly comprises a central portion having electrical contacts disposed thereon and a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outwards from the central portion. One or more of the elongated portions has an electrode disposed in the vicinity of a distal end thereof. The electrodes are electrically coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts disposed on the central portion. An apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals in a human or animal body that incorporates the flexible electrode assembly is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A flexible electrode assembly comprising:

a central portion having electrical contacts disposed thereon; and

a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outwards from said central portion, one or more of said elongated portions having an electrode disposed in the vicinity of a distal end thereof;

wherein said electrodes are electrically coupled to respective ones of said electrical contacts disposed on said central portion.

2. The flexible electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible electrode assembly is of a unitary structure.

3. The flexible electrode assembly of claim 2, wherein said flexible electrode assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board and said electrical contacts and said electrodes comprise conductive portions of said flexible printed circuit board.

4. The flexible electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible electrode assembly comprises four of said elongated portions disposed at substantially 90 degree intervals around said central portion.

5. The flexible electrode assembly of claim 4, wherein said flexible electrode assembly is disposable.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flexible electrode assembly comprises a flexible electrode assembly in accordance with claim 1.

6. An apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals in a human or animal body, said apparatus comprising:

a support structure comprising a central portion and a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outwards from said central portion; and

a flexible electrode assembly comprising a plurality of elongated portions each having an electrode disposed thereon, said flexible electrode assembly mounted on said support structure such that said elongated portions of said flexible electrode assembly each extend along a respective elongated portion of said support structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said plurality of elongated portions of said support structure are resiliently deformable.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flexible electrode assembly is of unitary structure.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an amplifier module for amplifying electrophysiological signals detected by said electrodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrodes are electrically connected to said amplifier by way of compressed contact of electrically conducting surfaces.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising attachment means for attaching said apparatus to a human or animal body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said attachment means comprises a strap which, when under tension, causes said elongated portions of said support structure to deform such that contact between said electrodes and said human or animal body is substantially maintained.

14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flexible electrode assembly is disposable.

15. An apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals in a human or animal body, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrodes for detecting electrophysiological signals;

a support structure for applying said electrodes to a human or animal body such that an electrically conductive path is maintained between said electrodes and said human or animal body; and

an electronic circuit for processing said electrophysiological signals detected by said electrodes;

wherein said electrodes and said electronic circuit are electrically connected by a solderless connection.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said electrodes and said electronic circuit are electrically connected by compressed contact of electrically conducting surfaces.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuit is mounted in or to said support structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said electrodes form part of a flexible electrode assembly comprising:

a central portion having electrical contacts disposed thereon; and

a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outwards from said central portion, one or more of said elongated portions having an electrode disposed thereon;

wherein said electrodes are electrically coupled to respective ones of said electrical contacts disposed on said central portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said flexible electrode assembly comprises a flexible printed circuit board and said electrical contacts and said electrodes comprise conductive portions of said flexible printed circuit board.

20. The flexible electrode assembly of claim 19, wherein said flexible electrode assembly comprises four of said elongated portions disposed at substantially 90 degree intervals around said central portion.