Fabrication and Use of Epidermal Electrodes
First Claim
1. A surface mountable electrode comprising:
- a conductive substrate having a substantially planar sensing area adapted for communication with an electrically sensitive surface;
a terminal for connection to a monitor circuit, the terminal having electrical continuity with the planar sensing area;
the planar sensing area defining an impedance with a sensing surface conducive to electrical monitoring; and
the conductive substrate being flexible for electrical communication upon surface placement on the electrically sensitive surface.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An epidermal electrode operable independently of the ambient environment, such as the presence of water, sweat, or dry conditions, and achieve a suitable impedance with the epidermal surface for transmitting electrical signals indicative of bodily physiological process such as ECG signals for heart monitoring. The hydrophobic surface mountable electrode including a flexible, conductive substrate of PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) with dispersed carbon black and having a substantially planar sensing area adapted for communication with an electrically sensitive surface such as a patient'"'"'s skin, and a terminal for connection to a monitor circuit, the terminal having electrical continuity with the planar sensing area.
7 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A surface mountable electrode comprising:
-
a conductive substrate having a substantially planar sensing area adapted for communication with an electrically sensitive surface; a terminal for connection to a monitor circuit, the terminal having electrical continuity with the planar sensing area; the planar sensing area defining an impedance with a sensing surface conducive to electrical monitoring; and the conductive substrate being flexible for electrical communication upon surface placement on the electrically sensitive surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for fabricating a surface mount electrode comprising the steps of:
-
combining a polymeric compound with a conductive medium; adding a solvent to form a fluidic composition adapted to formation in a mold; forming the composition into substantially planar shapes having a planar sensing area responsive to electrical signals on a sensing surface; and inserting a terminal into the formed planar shape, the terminal configured for electrical connection to a monitor circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for fabricating a surface mount electrode comprising the steps of:
-
dispersing conductive carbon black powder into room temperature polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the PDMS providing an insulating matrix; combining C6H14 (hexane) as a solvent to mix the carbon black with the PDMS to distribute particles of the resulting solution; placing the hexane/carbon black solution and PDMS in an ultrasonic cleaner; mixing a curing agent in a 10;
1 mass ratio;pouring and leveling the mixture with a straight metal edge into wells forming disks within the electrode molds; applying the mixture to a reverse side of nickel plated snap fasteners appropriately sized for monitor connection; degassing in a vacuum chamber to remove air bubbles; affixing to the molded carbon black/PDMS/curing agent mixture by placing the electrodes on the surface with gentle pressure without causing major rippling; mixing a final layer of PDMS/curing agent solution was mixed and pouring into the top of the mold as a backing to the electrode; curing in an oven at 70°
C. for 12 hours.
-
Specification