Air-permeable disposable electrode

• US 4,300,575 A
• Filed: 06/25/1979
• Issued: 11/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Staodyn, Inc. (Compeq Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Staodynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/051,593
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639-641, 128/644, 128/303.13, 128/783, 128/798, 128/802, 128/803
• US Class Current: 607/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0496 characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives

Abstract

A disposable electrode is disclosed that is air-permeable over at least that portion of the electrode that is engageable with the skin of a patient, and is non-metallic and nonionic. The electrode includes a conductive silicone pad adapted to receive one end of an electrical lead from an active electrical instrument, and particularly an electronic medical instrument such as a transcutaneous nerve stimulator. The pad engages a permeable conductive element that is skin engageable through a permeable conductive adhesive coating. The permeable conductive element is formed primarily from karaya and carbon black so that the element can "breathe". The permeable conductive adhesive coating is likewise formed primarily from karaya so that the coating can also "breathe". A cover, likewise of air-permeable material, is provided with an adhesive on the inner side contacting the rear portions of the pad and conductive element with the cover extending outwardly thereof so that the outer edges of the inner side of the cover are engageable with the skin of a patient to hold the electrode in position. A carrier, preferably release paper, is also provided to cover the adhesive coating on the conductive element and the outer portions of the cover to protect the electrode until use on a patient.

Claims

1. A skin engageable disposable electrode for use with an electronic instrument having at least one electrical lead connectable with said electrode, said electrode comprising:

a carbon-filled silicone pad having a substantially flat front face portion and a back portion adapted to contact said electrical lead for coupling electrical signals to said electrode; and

an air-permeable conductive element including carbon and karaya material and having a substantially flat front face portion with an air-permeable conductive adhesive coating including karaya thereon so that said front face portion is adapted to be engageable with the skin of a user, and a substantially flat back face portion in engagement with said front face portion of said pad, said conductive element being of large size relative to said pad.

2. The electrode of claim 1 wherein said air-permeable conductive element is made from isopropyl alcohol, carbon black, karaya, and karaya gum conductive solution.

3. The electrode of claim 1 wherein said silicone pad includes fastening means, and wherein said electrical lead engageable with said silicone pad has a loop configuration engageable with said fastening means.

4. The electrode of claim 3 wherein said fastening means of said silicone pad engageable with said electrical lead substantially permanently holds said lead in engagement with said silicone pad while said electrode is maintained assembled.

5. The electrode of claim 3 wherein said fastening means of said silicone pad includes a flange over which said loop is received.

6. The electrode of claim 5 wherein said flange includes a shoulder over which said loop passes with said flange above said shoulder being removable after passage of said loop over said shoulder.

7. A skin engageable active electrode for use with an electronic instrument supplying an electrical signal to said electrode through at least one electrical lead connectable with said electrode, said electrode comprising:

first electrically conductive non-metallic conductor means having a first portion of conductive adhesive material adapted to engage the skin of a patient, and a second portion of conductive material having first and second faces with said first portion being at said first face, said first electrically conductive conductor means being air-permeable; and

second electrically conductive conductor means of a non-metallic material different from said first electrically conductive conductor means, said second electrically conductive conductor means being in engagement with said second face of said second portion of said first conductor means for establishing electrical contact therebetween, said second electrically conductive conductor means being adapted to be connected with said electrical lead from said electronic instrument.

8. The electrode of claim 7 wherein said second portion of said first electrically conductive conductor means and said second electrically conductive conductor means are carbon-containing and nonionic conductor means.

9. The electrode of claim 8 wherein said first electrically conductive conductor means includes karaya.

10. A disposable electrode for use with an electronic instrument having at least one electrical lead connectable with said electrode, said disposable electrode comprising:

a carbon-filled silicone pad having a substantially flat front face portion and a back portion adapted to contact said electrical lead for coupling electrical signals to said electrode;

an air-permeable conductive element including carbon and karaya material and having a substantially flat front face portion with an air-permeable conductive adhesive coating including karaya thereon so that said front face portion is adapted to be engageable with the skin of a user, and a substantially flat back face portion in engagement with said front face portion of said pad, said conductive element being of large size relative to said pad;

cover means having adhesive on the inner side with the central portion of said inner side engaging said back portions of said pad and said conductive element and having outer portions that extend beyond said conductive element; and

carrier means contacting said adhesive coating on said conductive element and said outer portions of said cover means for protecting said electrode until used.

11. The electrode of claim 10 wherein said air-permeable conductive element is made from carbon black, karaya, isopropyl alcohol, and karaya gum conductive solution, and wherein said conductive adhesive coating is made from karaya, glycerol, isopropyl alcohol and karaya gum conductive solution.

12. The electrode of claim 10 wherein said pad has a flange extending rearwardly therefrom, and wherein said cover means has an aperture therein through which said flange extends, said cover means surrounding said conductive element at the outer portions thereof to effect a seal thereat.

13. The electrode of claim 10 wherein said cover means is fabric with adhesive on the side facing said conductive element.

14. The electrode of claim 10 wherein said cover means is adhesive coated tricot.

15. The electrode of claim 10 wherein said carrier means is release paper.