External ear canal electrode to be placed proximate the tympanic membrane
First Claim
1. An electrode adapted to be utilized within the external ear canal for applying/recording electrical signals to/from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having an external ear canal and adjacent tympanic membrane comprising:
- an elongate flexible body means having a proximate end and a distal end having a distal tip for insertion adjacent the tympanic membrane, being stiff enough to be inserted into the external ear canal and being flexible enough to bend if said electrode is inserted against the tympanic membrane without rupturing the tympanic membrane;
a compressible material mounted at the top of said distal end of said body means;
an electrically conductive gel carried at said distal end of said body means by the distal tip of said compressible material; and
an electrical conductor extending along said body means, said electrical conductor being electrically coupled to said electrically conductive gel and adapted to be coupled to a stimulator/recorder at said proximate end of said body means;
whereby said electrode may be placed in the external ear canal with said distal end being proximate the tympanic membrane or tympano-meatal annulus so that neural/neuromuscular system may be electrically stimulated/recorded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode adapted to be utilized within the external ear canal for applying/recording electrical signals to/from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having an external ear canal and adjacent tympanic membrane. The electrode utilizes an elongated flexible body having a proximate end and a distal end. The elongated flexible body is stiff enough to be inserted into the external ear canal but is flexible enough to bend if the electrode is inserted against the tympanic membrane without rupturing the tympanic membrane. A compressible material is mounted at the distal end of the body and an electrically conductive gel is carried by the compressible material. An electrical conductor communicates with the body and electrically couples the conductive gel to the proximate end of the electrode.
83 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrode adapted to be utilized within the external ear canal for applying/recording electrical signals to/from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having an external ear canal and adjacent tympanic membrane comprising:
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an elongate flexible body means having a proximate end and a distal end having a distal tip for insertion adjacent the tympanic membrane, being stiff enough to be inserted into the external ear canal and being flexible enough to bend if said electrode is inserted against the tympanic membrane without rupturing the tympanic membrane; a compressible material mounted at the top of said distal end of said body means; an electrically conductive gel carried at said distal end of said body means by the distal tip of said compressible material; and an electrical conductor extending along said body means, said electrical conductor being electrically coupled to said electrically conductive gel and adapted to be coupled to a stimulator/recorder at said proximate end of said body means; whereby said electrode may be placed in the external ear canal with said distal end being proximate the tympanic membrane or tympano-meatal annulus so that neural/neuromuscular system may be electrically stimulated/recorded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification