Pocket ECG electrode

• US 4,313,443 A
• Filed: 09/11/1980
• Issued: 02/02/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frosch Robert A Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration With Respect To An Invention of, Gordon F. Lund
• Original Assignee: Frosch Robert A Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration With Respect To An Invention of, Gordon F. Lund
• Inventors: Frosch, Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of, Lund, Gordon F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/185,865
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639, 128/642, 128/784, 128/785
• US Class Current: 600/377
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/29 for permanent or long-term implantation

Abstract

A low-noise electrode suited for sensing electrocardiograms when chronically and subcutaneously implanted in a free-ranging subject. The electrode comprises a pocket-shaped electrically conductive member with a single entrance adapted to receive body fluids. The exterior of the member and the entrance region is coated with electrical insulation so that the only electrolyte/electrode interface is within the member remote from artifact-generating tissue. Cloth straps are bonded to the member to permit the electrode to be sutured to tissue and to provide electrical lead flexure relief.

Claims

1. In a subcutaneous electrode apparatus for measuring electrocardiograms:

an electrically conductive pocket-shaped member having an opening and a lumen, said member being adapted to be chronically subcutaneously implanted in the tissue and body fluid of a subject in which electrocardiograms are to be sensed;

said opening being an elongated mouth adapted to permit body fluids to enter said lumen and contact the inner surface of said member;

electrical conductor means including an electrically conductive wire structure for making electrical connection to said pocket-shaped member;

means bonded to said pocket-shaped member for receiving sutures when said electrode apparatus is implanted in tissue; and

electrically insulative means for coating the outer surface and mouth region of said pocket-shaped member whereby when the electrode apparatus is implanted the body fluid acts as an electrolyte and the electrode/electrolyte interface is situated within the lumen remote from possible tissue disturbances.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive pocket-shaped member has two substantially rectangular parallel coextensive metal walls.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a portion of said conductive wire structure forms a loop and said loop is secured to and sandwiched between said walls at an extremity of said pocket-shaped member remote from said mouth.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pocket-shaped member is comprised of substantially uniform thickness metal and has the appearance of a flattened tube with one tube end closed.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said receiving means are straps of cloth bonded to said substantially parallel walls of said pocket-shaped member.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein straps are bonded to said pocket-shaped member and said electrical conductor means to provide stress relief for said electrical conductor means when a force is exerted thereon in a direction away from said pocket-shaped member.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pocket-shaped electrode is made of stainless steel and said electrically insulative means is made of silicone rubber.