Radiolucent Electrode Assembly

• US 20130345539A1
• Filed: 05/06/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeSync Corporation
• Original Assignee: LifeSync Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tom, Quintanar, Felix, Hendry, Kal, Muser, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,211,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/385
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0285 Nanoscale sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/303 Patient cord assembly, e.g. cable harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

A lightweight, disposable and substantially radiolucent electrode or sensor assembly for that universally connects to separate, non-integrated electrodes or sensors for the monitoring of the physiological parameters of a live subject wherein the electrode assembly is comprised of one or more radiolucent electrical connectors for connecting the electrode assembly to the sensors. The present invention also discloses a method of positioning the electrode assembly on a patient whose physiological signs are being monitored such that access to the patient'"'"'s chest is substantially unimpeded so as not to obstruct the electromagnetic imaging of the patient'"'"'s chest, the application of defibrillation paddles or surgical procedures that require access to the chest area.

Claims

1. A substantially radiolucent electrode assembly for connecting a patient-worn physiological sensor to a monitor, comprising:

a flexible non-conductive substrate having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one aperture formed in the substrate and sized to receive a sensor;

at least one conductive trace disposed on at least one surface of the non-conductive substrate wherein the conductive trace is capable of conducting a current between the sensor and the distal end of the substrate;

at least one radiolucent electrical connector comprising at least one linear extension of the at least one conductive trace which extends to the aperture wherein the electrical connector is in electrical contact with the sensor; and

a means for providing an electrical connection between the distal end of the substrate and a monitor.

2. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear extension of the at least one conductive trace is comprised of a single dot of sufficient size to encircle the aperture.

3. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear extension of the at least one conductive trace is comprised of two concentric circles surrounding the aperture wherein the outer circle is connected to the inner circle by at least one coaxial trace.

4. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 3 wherein the two concentric circles are partial circles.

5. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the aperture forms at least one flap for engaging a sensor positioned through the aperture.

6. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 further comprising a conductive adhesive located on at least one side of the electrode assembly.

7. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrode housings, each electrode housing positioned over an aperture formed in the electrode assembly and containing an elastomeric portion defining a female void for receiving a conductive portion of the sensor.

8. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 further comprising an adapter that is configured to connect to the assembly connector such that the electrode assembly can be electrically connected to any conventional monitor.

9. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrical connector is movable to allow repositioning of the sensor around the outer periphery of the patient'"'"'s torso such that access to the chest is substantially unimpeded.

10. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 9 wherein a portion of the electrode assembly is intended to be positioned around the back of a patient'"'"'s neck.

11. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector that connects to the conventional ground or reference ECG electrode is in a fixed position on the perimeter of the torso to prevent the inadvertent placement of the electrode in an area that impedes access to the patient'"'"'s chest.

12. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrical connector has sufficient current carrying capacity to withstand at least one defibrillation shock without being damaged.

13. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the substrate is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate or a liquid crystal polymer.

14. The radiolucent electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one conductive trace is comprised of copper, gold, carbon, carbon nanotube, indium tin oxide, silver, or graphite.

15. A method of positioning a substantially radiolucent electrode assembly on a patient that is being monitored for physiological signs such that access to the patient'"'"'s chest is substantially unimpeded, comprising:

applying the electrode assembly around the outer periphery of the patient'"'"'s torso wherein the electrode assembly does not cross the patient'"'"'s chest.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the physiological sign is an ECG or EEG.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the electrode assembly comprises a plurality of electrical connectors wherein each electrical connector is in electrical contact with a physiological sensor.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein a portion of the electrode assembly is routed around the back side of a patient.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein a portion of the electrode is routed around a patient'"'"'s neck.

20. A substantially radiolucent electrode connector for connecting to a patient mounted sensor comprising:

a flexible radiolucent non-conductive substrate having a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one aperture formed in the substrate and sized to receive a sensor;

a conductive trace comprising a substantially radiolucent ink printed on the substrate for conducting a current between a sensor and the distal end of the substrate; and

a means for providing an electrical connection between the distal end of the substrate and a monitor.

21. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace comprises at least one linear conductor.

22. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace comprises a plurality of substantially linear conductors.

23. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace comprises a grid of linear conductors.

24. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace comprises an encircling conductor which at least partially encircles the aperture.

25. The connector of claim 24 wherein the conductive trace further includes a second inner conductive circle concentric with and in electrical contact to the encircling conductor.

26. The connector of claim 25 wherein the inner conductive circle is divided by cuts in the substrate to form flaps wherein each divided portion of the conductive circle is in electrical contact with the encircling conductor.

27. The connector of claim 25 wherein the inner conductive circle is a dot which is sized to minimally encircle the aperture while providing sufficient electrical contact with the sensor for the intended use.

28. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace is sized to carry the current of a defibrillation shock.

29. The connector of claim 28 wherein the conductive trace is around 17 microns wide.

30. The connector of claim 20 wherein the conductive trace is comprised of copper, gold, carbon, carbon nanotube, indium tin oxide, silver, or graphite.