MAGNETICALLY CONNECTED ELECTRODE FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS

• US 20140213880A1
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tosense Inc (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Perminova Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Banet, Matt, Pede, Susan, Dhillon, Marshal, Terry, Drew
• Application Number:
  US14/167,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20140213880A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/393
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• 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

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 around the neck of a patient and measure a physiological property, the sensor comprising:

a first electrode configured to adhere to a first side of the patient'"'"'s body, proximal to the neck, and measure a first physiological signal from the patient, the first electrode comprising;

i) a first conductive gel;

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

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

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

a second electrode configured to adhere to a second side of the patient'"'"'s body proximal to the neck that is opposite to the first side, the second electrode configured to measure a second physiological signal from the patient, the second electrode comprising;

i) a second conductive gel;

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

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

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

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

i) a first electrical trace; and

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

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

i) a second electrical trace; and

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

an analog circuit in electrical contact with the first and second electrical traces, the analog circuit comprising electrical components configured to receive the first physiological signal from the first electrode holder and the second physiological signal from the second 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.