Method and apparatus for assembling an electrode cap

• US 4,395,820 A
• Filed: 08/21/1981
• Issued: 08/02/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electro-Cap International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electrocap Incorporated
• Inventors: Sams, Marvin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Carl E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Echols, P. W.
• Application Number:
  US06/294,886
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 29/881, 29/593, 29/453, 29/281.5, 29/281.1, 128/644, 128/731, 324/51, 324/53, 269/37, 269/47, 269/52, 269/289 R, 269/903, 269/909
• US Class Current: 29/881
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/903 Work holder for electrical circuit assemblages or wiring systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/909 Work holder for specific work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49217 by elastic joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit

Abstract

An improved biomedical electrode comprising two snap together portions which may be assembled with a layer of elastic fabric between the two portions. At least one of the portions carries a conductive electrode and a lead for making connection to a recording system. An improved electrode cap comprises an elastic cap carrying a plurality of the snap together electrodes. An improved method of assembly includes the use of a generally head shaped block having a plurality of rods extending from the surface to hold one portion of the electrodes while the elastic cap is stretched over the block so that the rods may be used for alignment of the electrode second portions with the first portions and allow the assembly to be snapped together and simultaneously permanently mounted on the cap.

Claims

1. Apparatus for assembly of an electroencephalographic electrode cap of the type comprising a generally hemispherical cap of stretchable fabric adapted to provide a close fit to a patient'"'"'s head and a plurality of electrode assemblies comprising at least first and second portions having axial apertures and adapted to snap together with a portion of said fabric between said first and second portions, comprising:

a block having a shape corresponding generally to a patient'"'"'s head, a plurality of rods each having a first end embedded in said block and a second end extending a short distance from said block, said rods positioned at preselected locations corresponding to desired locations of said electrode assemblies said rods receiving and locating said first portions of said electrode assemblies at said preselected locations,

whereby an electrode cap may be assembled by placing said first portions of said electrode assemblies on said rods, positioning a cap over said block, and pressing said second portions of said electrode assemblies onto said rods and into snap engagement with said first portions, respectively.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said block is electrically nonconductive and said rods are electrically conductive and said electrode assemblies each include a lead for making electrical contact to the conductive electrode, further including a continuity testing circuit having a first input connected to said rods and a second input adapted for connection to each said lead.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said continuity testing circuit includes a light emitting device for indicating a continuous condition, and said light emitting device is carried by said block in proximity to a corresponding rod.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said continuity circuit includes a battery having a first lead connected to a first lead of said light emitting device and a second lead connected to the electrode leads, and a second lead of said light emitting device is connected to a corresponding rod.

5. A method of assembling an electroencephalographic electrode cap of the type comprising a cap of stretchable fabric and a plurality of electrode assemblies each comprising first and second portions having axial passageways and adapted to snap together comprising:

positioning first portions of said electrode assemblies on rods carried on a block having a shape corresponding to said cap,

positioning the fabric cap over the block and rods, and

pressing the second portions of said electrode assemblies onto the rods and first portions to snap the first and second portions together and attach the electrode assemblies to the fabric cap.

6. The method of claim 5 further including the step of, after positioning the fabric cap on the block and rods, cutting holes in the said fabric at the locations of said rods.