Electrodes

• US 3,942,517 A
• Filed: 05/28/1974
• Issued: 03/09/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dracard Limited
• Original Assignee: Dracard Limited
• Inventors: Heath-Coleman, Roy Albert, Bowles, Leslie Reginald
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/473,932
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.06 E, 128/2.1 E, 128/DIG. 4, 128/417, 128/418, 128/416, 128/404, 128/405, 401/202, 401/213, 220/306, 220/307
• US Class Current: 600/392
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/257 using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/266 containing electrolytes, conductive gels or pastes

Abstract

A pre-gelled electrode for use on a patient'"'"'s skin comprises a non-conductive gel-container, a conductive gel within the gel-container, a metal contact having a conductive connection with the gel, a cap which engages with the gel container to hermetically close the gel-container and means for controlling the flow of gel onto the skin after removal of the cap and has an improved shelf-life. The metal contact includes a gelatinous substance to prevent corrosion.

Claims

1. A pre-gelled electrode, comprising a resilient non-conductive gel-container having on one side thereof a cavity adapted to open to the skin of a patient, an annular groove surrounding said cavity and adapted to open to the skin of a patient, said annular groove forming an inner wall and an outer wall and having on at least one of said walls another groove, and a central aperture communicating between said cavity and the side of said gel-container opposite said cavity;

a conductive gel within said cavity;

a metal contact in conductive connection with said gel and passing through said gel-container from said cavity to the side of said gel-container opposite said cavity, said metal contact including a metal fastener projecting from said cavity through said central aperture and a hollow metal stud located on the side of said gel-container opposite said cavity and receiving said metal fastener, wherein said metal fastener and said hollow metal stud seal said central aperture in said gel-container, said hollow metal stud containing chemical means for preventing said gel from contacting that portion of said metal fastener within said hollow metal stud, whereby chemical attack or corrosion of that portion of said metal fastener within said hollow metal stud is prevented;

a removable cap covering said cavity, said cap having a skirt portion with a circumferential lip, said skirt portion engaging both said inner wall and said outer wall of said annular groove and said lip engaging said another groove, whereby said cap covers and hermetically seals said cavity to ensure sterility and prevent dehydration of said gel;

means adjacent said gel-container for attaching said gel-container to the skin of a patient after the removal of said cap; and

means for controlling the flow of said gel onto the skin of a patient after the removal of said cap.

2. An electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gel-container and said cap are made of plastics material.

3. An electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the flow of said gel comprises a reticulated plastics foam positioned in said cavity of said gel-container.

4. An electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the flow of said gel comprises a perforated valve plate defining with said gel-container a gel reservoir.

5. An electrode as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cap comprises a portion engaging said valve plate and sealing said perforations.

6. An electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chemical means comprises a gelatinous substance.