MAGNETICALLY CONNECTED ELECTRODE FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS

• US 20140213878A1
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: OtoSense, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Perminova Inc.
• Inventors: Banet, Matt, Pede, Susan, Dhillon, Marshal, Terry, Drew
• Application Number:
  US14/167,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20140213878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0535 Impedance plethysmography for measuring blood flow A61B5/0295
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68335 including release sheets or liners

Abstract

The invention provides an electrode and associated electrode holder that are used for physiological measurements, e.g. measurements of signals that can be processed to generate ECG and TBI waveforms. The electrode and electrode holder connect to each other using a magnetic interface. In embodiments, for example, the magnetic interface includes oppositely polled magnets integrated in both the electrode and electrode holder. The magnets are typically rare earth magnets coated with a thin, electrically conductive metal film. This way, when the magnets come in contact with each other, the metal films touch to form both a mechanical and electrical connection. Thus the magnetic interface can replace conventional mechanisms used to connect rivet-based electrodes to leads, which are typically used to secure electrodes for physiological measurements.

Claims

1. A sensor configured to be worn on a body of a patient and measure a physiological property, the sensor comprising:

an electrode configured to adhere to the body and measure a physiological signal from the patient, the electrode comprising;

i) a conductive gel;

ii) an Ag/AgCl film comprising Ag/AgCl in electrical contact with the conductive gel;

iii) a metal film in electrical contact with the Ag/AgCl film; and

iv) a first magnet in electrical contact with the metal film;

an electrode holder configured to mechanically and electrically connect to the electrode to receive the physiological signal, the electrode holder comprising;

i) an electrical trace; and

ii) a second magnet in electrical contact with the electrical trace and oriented to connect to the first magnet in the electrode;

an analog circuit in electrical contact with the electrical trace, the analog circuit comprising electrical components configured to receive the physiological signal from the electrode holder and, in response, generate a processed physiological signal; and

a digital circuit in electrical contact with the analog circuit, the digital circuit comprising;

i) an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the processed physiological signal and, in response, digitize it to generate a digital physiological signal; and

ii) a microprocessor configured to receive the digital physiological signal and, in response, process it to generate the physiological property.