DISPOSABLE PROTECTIVE OVERLAY COVERING FOR BIOMEDICAL SENSORS

• US 20150080697A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Altec Incorporated
• Inventors: Gilmore, L. Donald, De Luca, Carlo J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,004,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/390
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 3/00 Carrying-off electrostatic charges from shoes A43B7/36; from living beings A61N1/14; from tyres B60C19/08; from vehicles B60R16/06; from aircraft B64D45/02; from large containers B65D90/46

Abstract

A disposable, low profile sensor overlay covering for use with biomedical sensors and which includes a framework of flexible component layers supporting an arrangement of electrostatic shielding, insulating, cushioning, and electrically conductive adhesive substrate components configured to form a protective covering encasing the sensor. The combination of component layers provides a means to stabilize the relative position of the sensor with respect to the skin and reduce the potential for sensor dislodgment. The mechanical and electrical configurations act in synergy to shield the sensor from external electrical fields and suppress movement artifact.

Claims

1. A biomedical sensor overlay covering, comprising:

a framework of flexible component layers;

a plurality of adhesive substrate components supported by the flexible component layers and forming a flexible protective contoured covering, enveloping, mechanically stabilizing, and securing the sensor to the skin, wherein each of the substrate components is at least one of;

electrically shielding, insulating, cushioning, and electrically conductive and wherein electrically shielding and electrically conductive substrate components cooperate with a cushioning substrate to shield the sensor from external electrical fields, dissipate accumulation of electrostatic charge, and suppress movement artifact.

2. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers is an elongated strip, with a receptacle region shaped and contoured to retain a biomedical sEMG sensor, and with conductive adhesive regions securing the sensor to the skin.

3. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers is a continuous band to encircle a limb, with a receptacle region shaped and contoured to retain a biomedical sEMG sensor, and with conductive adhesive regions securing the sensor to the skin.

4. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 3, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains segments of stretchable elastic providing compliance with the underlying skin tissue.

5. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers is a patch, with a receptacle region shaped and contoured to retain a biomedical sEMG sensor, and with conductive adhesive regions securing the sensor to the skin.

6. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electro-static shield substrate layer formed from an electrically conductive metallic sheet.

7. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 6, wherein the electrostatic shield substrate layer is formed with a plurality of apertures.

8. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electrostatic shield substrate layer formed from an electrically conductive plastic sheet.

9. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 8, wherein the electrostatic shield substrate layer is formed with a plurality of apertures.

10. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electrostatic shield substrate layer formed from electrically resistive material.

11. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 10, wherein the electrostatic shield substrate layer is formed with a plurality of apertures.

12. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 10, wherein the electrical and geometrical configuration of the electrostatic shield substrate layer provides a means of ingress and egress for radio frequency signal reception and transmission.

13. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electro-static shield substrate layer formed from electrically non-conductive material with a plurality of electrically conductive traces.

14. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive traces for the electrostatic shield substrate layer are formed from electrically conductive printed circuit traces.

15. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 13, wherein the electrical and geometrical configuration of the electrostatic shield substrate layer provides a means of ingress and egress for radio frequency signal reception and transmission.

16. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electro-static shield substrate layer formed from electrically resistive material with a plurality of electrically conductive traces.

17. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive traces for the electrostatic shield substrate layer are formed from electrically conductive printed circuit traces.

18. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains a body-directed electrostatic shield contact pad substrate layer formed from electrically conductive, adhesive, cross-linked hydrophilic polymer gel establishing a mechanical and electrical contact with the surface of the skin.

19. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 18, wherein the body-directed electrostatic shield contact pad substrate layer is contoured to match a profile of an electrostatic shield substrate layer, and which is adhered to a lower surface of an electrostatic shield substrate layer to make mechanical and electrical contact with selectively exposed electrically conductive regions of the electrostatic shield substrate layer, thereby dissipating electrostatic charges to the body through contact with body skin surface.

20. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains an electrically insulating substrate layer, contoured to match a profile of an electrostatic shield substrate layer and shaped so as to selectively expose electrically conductive regions of an electrostatic shield substrate layer, and which is adhered to a lower surface of electrostatic shield substrate layer to make mechanical contact.

21. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 20, wherein the electrically insulating substrate layer is formed from an insulating membrane with a double-sided adhesive coating.

22. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the framework of flexible component layers contains a compliant, cushioning substrate layer, contoured and shaped to match upper surfaces of the sensor and which is adhered to a lower surface of an insulating substrate layer to make mechanical contact.

23. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 22, wherein a cushioning substrate layer is formed from an absorbent material arranged to wick away and retain excessive skin moisture.

24. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the overlay covering is formed from materials that are hypoallergenic, breathable, and designed for use without slippage or skin breakdown.

25. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein the overlay covering is cosmetically textured and colored to more closely match color and texture of underlying skin.

26. A biomedical sensor overlay covering as in claim 1, wherein body-directed adhesive surfaces of the overlay covering are mounted on a release liner.

27. A biomedical sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor is single use and disposable.