Dual terminal transcutaneous electrode

• US 4,177,817 A
• Filed: 02/01/1978
• Issued: 12/11/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Bevilacqua, Albert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/874,233
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 128/417, 128/2.1 E, 128/2.06 R, 128/404, 128/410, 128/411, 128/416, 128/418, 128/172.1, 128/DIG. 4
• US Class Current: 607/149
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence

Abstract

There is disclosed, a disposable, preferably pregelled electrode construction for the transcutaneous application of electrical pulses to provide a stimulus thereby producing involuntary neuromuscular contractions. The electrode is comprised of a base section formed from non-conductive material such as cellular plastic foam. At least two closed-bottom reservoir chambers are formed in the base section for housing a quantity of electrolytic gel, with a cellular sponge-like pad disposed in each chamber and saturated with said electrolytic gel. An electrical terminal assembly is provided for each reservoir chamber in the form of a two-piece snap-type fastener mounted to the base section through the bottom wall of the chamber. Each terminal assembly includes an inner eyelet in surface engagement with the gel pad, and an outer stud engaged with said eyelet for connection to an electrical lead from a pulse generator. The respective reservoir chambers are spaced each from the other by a portion of the base section designated as a barrier segment. The thickness of the material providing the base section, and the minimum width of the barrier segment are selected to insure that upon application of the electrode to the skin of a patient, that the respective chambers, gel pads and terminal assemblies are electrically insulated each from the other by the base section material. Accordingly, upon the application of a pulse to the electrode, current will pass through the underlying tissue in traveling from terminal to terminal.

Claims

1. A dual terminal electrode construction for the transcutaneous application of current to a patient, such as might be employed in the electrical stimulation of nerves, said electrode comprising a pair of spaced terminal arrangements and a base member upon which said terminal arrangements are provided, said base member comprising a section of nonconductive foam material having an adhesively coated surface for affixing the electrode in engagement with the skin of a patient above the nerve to be stimulated, and a pair of spaced through apertures, a terminal arrangement associated with each said aperture and engaged with the surface of said base member opposite said adhesively coated surface, each said terminal arrangement including, a section of non-porous, adhesively coated material of substantially less area than the base member, and affixed to the base member surface opposite said adhesively coated surface in overlying relation to the associated aperture, said sections of non-porous material serving to define with said apertures, two closed bottom reservoir chambers which open to said adhesively coated surface, with said sections of non-porous material providing the bottom walls for each said reservoir chambers, a terminal member carried by each said section of non-porous material and including a surface portion in said chamber that is sized with respect to said chamber to provide an exposed portion of the adhesively coated surface of said section of non-porous material, an open cell pad disposed in each said chamber in overlying contact with the terminal member, and affixed to the exposed portion of said adhesively coated surface of the section of non-porous material defining the bottom wall of said chamber, said base member being of a thickness to provide reservoir chambers of sufficient depth to accommodate a desired quantity of electrolytic gel which impregnates said pads, and said reservoir chambers being spaced apart a distance sufficient to provide a barrier segment separating one chamber from the other chamber, said barrier segment being of sufficient width at its narrowest point such that upon the mounting of said electrode to the skin of a patient, the respective chambers and the electrolytic gel associated with said chambers are isolated electrically each from the other by said barrier segment, such that upon the application of current across said terminal elements, said current will pass through the skin of the patient.

2. An electrode construction according to claim 1 including cover structure overlying the adhesively coated surface of the base member and said reservoir chambers.

3. An electrode construction according to claim 1, wherein said terminal members comprise snap-type fasteners including an inner element and an outer element engaged through said bottoms of the chambers with the inner element of each said fastener providing the surface portion in said chamber and the outer element of said fastener providing means for connecting said electrode to a current generator.

4. A dual terminal electrode construction according to claim 1 wherein said section of non-conductive foam material providing said base member is at least one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and said barrier segment is one-half inch in width.