MEDICAL ELECTRODE

• US 3,868,946 A
• Filed: 07/13/1973
• Issued: 03/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James S. Hurley
• Original Assignee: James S. Hurley
• Inventors: Hurley, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/379,056
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1E,2.6E,DIG.4,416-418,404-405,410,411,172.1
• US Class Current: 600/392
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0217 Electrolyte containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/251 Means for maintaining electrode contact with the body

Abstract

A medical electrode adapted to be placed on the skin of a patient and being disposable. The electrode is formed of a soft sheet of closed cellular material adapted to be shaped to the contour of the skin and has included therein a well having its mouth portion facing the skin with a male snap fastener element connected at the base of the well having the snap fastener projecting therefrom and the flange portion secured in the bottom of the well. The flange portion contacts a compressed sponge member saturated with a liquid electrolyte so as to carry current from the snap fastener to the skin of the patient. When stored, the sponge is compressed and the well forms a barrier to prevent leakage of the electrolyte, and a release paper is removed from the back of the sheet material allowing it to be adhesively secured to the skin.

Claims

1. A medical electrode comprising a non-porous soft sheet of material having top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to be placed on the skin, an electrical conductor member embedded with said sheet of material and having a flange portion forming the bottom of a well, a recess formed between said bottom surface of said sheet of material and said flange forming a portion of the walls of said well and a non-porous wall member attached to and depending from said bottom surface, said wall member encircling saiD recess to form a barrier and form the remainder of the wall portion of said well, said electrical conductor member having a male electrical connector member projecting outwardly from the top surface of said sheet, a compressible sponge member saturated with an electrically conductive liquid located within said well and having a thickness greater than the depth of said well, said sponge member being in contact with said flange, said sheet of material having a self-stick adhesive on said bottom surface, and release paper means covering said bottom surface and compressing said sponge member totally in said well when said electrode is being stored prior to utilization, said well serving to form a barrier and contain said liquid to prevent said liquid from leaking when said electrode is stored.

2. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall member comprises an annular ring secured to said bottom surface and being concentric with said flange portion.

3. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 2, wherein said annular ring comprises a resilient plastic material.

4. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 2, wherein said annular ring comprises a closed cell foam material, said ring having a height of approximately half the thickness of said sheet.

5. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sponge member has a thickness approximately twice that of the height of said annular ring.

6. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall member comprises a second sheet of non-porous material having an aperture cut therein, said sheets of non-porous material being secured together in a facing relationship, said well being formed by the recess formed at the apertures when said sheets are secured together.

7. A medical electrode as set forth in claim 6, wherein said facing sheets are approximately of equal thickness.