Depolarized pre-gelled electrodes
First Claim
1. The pre-gelled electrode assembly for sensing biopotentials present in a living subject which is depolarized before use to reduce DC offset voltage which may be produced by said assembly to a substantially zero volt DC level comprising a base, at least a first electrode mounted upon said base for conducting a biopotential from said electrode assembly, electrolyte means for providing an electroconductive material mounted in contact with said first electrode and depolarizing means for creating an electrical short circuit path mounted to contact said electrolyte means in a contact area thereof which is spaced from said first electrode, said depolarizing means operating to form an electrical short circuit path between said contact area and said first electrode and including an electrically conductive means for completing said electrical short circuit path and which is removed from said electrode assembly before use to break said electrical short circuit path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The electrode assembly includes at least one pregelled biopotential electrode having an electrolyte gel in contact with the electrode element. An electrically conductive component is removably mounted to electrically connect both the electrolyte gel and the electrode element conductor to complete a conductive bridge therebetween. The conductive element is inert relative to the electrolyte to avoid degradation of the electrolyte.
34 Citations
34 Claims
- 1. The pre-gelled electrode assembly for sensing biopotentials present in a living subject which is depolarized before use to reduce DC offset voltage which may be produced by said assembly to a substantially zero volt DC level comprising a base, at least a first electrode mounted upon said base for conducting a biopotential from said electrode assembly, electrolyte means for providing an electroconductive material mounted in contact with said first electrode and depolarizing means for creating an electrical short circuit path mounted to contact said electrolyte means in a contact area thereof which is spaced from said first electrode, said depolarizing means operating to form an electrical short circuit path between said contact area and said first electrode and including an electrically conductive means for completing said electrical short circuit path and which is removed from said electrode assembly before use to break said electrical short circuit path.
- 21. An electrode assembly comprising a substrate, electrode means for sensing biopotentials mounted upon said substrate, said electrode means including a plurality spaced electrodes deposited as a coating on one surface of said substrate, electrically conductive lead means for conducting a potential from said electrode mans mounted upon said substrate and connected to said electrode means, said electrically conductive lead means including an electrical lead for each electrode deposited as a coating on one surface of said substrate, an electrolyte in contact with each of said spaced electrodes, containment means for receiving said electrolyte and electrode means, said containment means including a face sheet having a plurality of spaced apertures extending therethrough mounted to contact said substrate, each aperture being positioned to overlie an electrode when said face sheet is mounted in contact with said substrate, said electrolyte being mounted in said spaced apertures, and electrically conductive means for closing said apertures contacting said electrolyte in an area spaced form said electrodes, said electrically conductive means extending between said electrolyte and said electrically conductive lead means to depolarize said electrode assembly.
- 24. A pre-gelled, depolarized electrode assembly comprising first and second electrode units, each of said electrode units including at least one electrode means for sensing and conducting a biopotential, an electrolyte, support means for mounting said electrode means and said electrolyte in contact with said electrode means, conductor means spaced from said electrolyte for conducting a potential from said electrode means, mounting means for mounting said first and second electrode units with the electrolyte of said first electrode unit in electrical contact with the electrolyte of said second electrode unit and electrically conductive means for providing a short circuit connection mounted in contact with the conductor means of said first and second electrode units and extending therebetween.
- 29. A pre-gelled, depolarized electrode assembly comprising containment means for forming a chamber to receive and contain an electrolyte, an electrolyte contained in said chamber, first electrode means for conducting an electrical potential mounted within said chamber in contact with said electrolyte, first electrical terminal means connected to said first electrode means and extending outwardly of said chamber for conducting a potential from said first electrode means, and means for making electrical contact with said electrolyte in an area thereof which is spaced form said first electrode means, said means for making electrical contact including removably mounted electrical conductive means operative to provide a short circuit electrical connection form said area of contact with said electrolyte to said first electrical terminal means, said electrical conductive means extending externally of said chamber to said first electrical terminal means.
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32. A depolarized electrode assembly for sensing biopotentials present in a living subject through contact with the skin of the subject which is depolarized before use to reduce DC offset voltages which may be produced by said assembly to a substantially zero volt DC level comprising at least first and second electrode units, each of which includes an electrode for conducting a biopotential form the electrode unit and contact means in contact with the electrode for contacting the skin of a subject to facilitate ion migration between the skin and the electrode, said first and second electrode units being mounted in opposed relationship with the contact means of said first electrode unit in contact with the contact means of said second electrode unit, and electrically conductive means mounted to create an electrical short circuit path between the electrodes of said first and second electrode units, said electrically conductive means being formed to facilitate the breaking of said short circuit path prior to the use of said first and second electrode units.
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33. A method for depolarizing a pre-gelled electrode assembly having at least first and second spaced electrodes in contact with an electrolyte which extends between said electrodes, the method including the step of creating a low impedance electrical path between said first and second spaced electrodes so as to be electrically isolated from said electrolyte and maintaining said low impedance electrical path between said first and second electrodes until DC voltage level measured across said electrodes reaches a stable, substantially zero volt DC level.
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34. A method for depolarizing a pre-gelled electrode assembly having at least one electrode in contact with an electrolyte to create a DC offset voltage which includes the steps of creating a low impedance electrical path between said electrode and a portion of said electrolyte which is spaced from said electrode and maintaining said low impedance electrical path until the DC offset voltage of said electrode assembly reaches a stable, substantially zero volt DC level.
Specification