Non-invasive, radiolucent electrode

• US 5,356,428 A
• Filed: 08/13/1992
• Issued: 10/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conmed Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cardiotronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Way, Tim J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US07/930,003
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639, 128/640, 128/798, 128/783
• US Class Current: 607/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0496 characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

A non-invasive radiolucent electrode configured to include at least one skin-contacting pad is provided, characterized in that the pad, in an exemplary embodiment, is configured with an expanded foil backing. In addition, a non-invasive radiolucent electrode suitable for cardiac stimulation and RF grounding applications through the same skin-contacting pad is also provided.

Claims

1. A non-invasive radiolucent electrode comprising:

an adhesive conductive polymer pad having a first surface adapted for contacting a patient'"'"'s skin, and having a second surface;

an expanded foil backing to said pad configured to be radiolucent, and having a front surface substantially covering the second surface of the pad, and having a back surface; and

an insulated wire having a first exposed end which is electrically coupled to the expanded foil backing.

2. A non-invasive radiolucent electrode comprising:

at least one pad having a first surface adapted to be placed in contact with a patient'"'"'s skin, and having a second surface;

an expanded foil backing for the pad configured to be radiolucent and to substantially cover the second surface of the pad; and

means for coupling said expanded foil backing to a source of energy.

3. The electrode of claim 2 wherein the expanded foil backing is less than about 9 mils thick.

4. The electrode of claim 2 wherein the expanded foil backing has a percentage of open space which is greater than about 50%.

5. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said coupling means is adapted to couple said expanded foil backing to a defibrillator.

6. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said coupling means is adapted to couple said expanded foil backing to external pacing means.

7. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said coupling means is adapted to couple said expanded foil backing to an ECG monitor.

8. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said coupling means is adapted to couple said expanded foil backing to a source of RF energy.

9. The electrode is claim 2 wherein said expanded foil backing is capable of conducting energy at a level determined sufficient for defibrillation.

10. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said pad is made of a conductive polymer.

11. A system comprising:

at least a pair of electrodes wherein at least a first one of said electrodes is non-invasive, and wherein said first electrode comprises at least one pad having a first surface adapted to be placed in contact with a patient'"'"'s skin, and having a second surface, said electrode further comprising an expanded foil backing configured to be radiolucent and substantially cover said second surface of said pad;

stimulating means for producing stimulating electrical impulses adapted to stimulate the patient'"'"'s heart;

a source of RF energy; and

means for selectively coupling said expanded foil backing to a selected one of said stimulating means and said source of RF energy.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said stimulating means comprises a defibrillator.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said expanded fail backing is capable of conducting energy at a level determined sufficient for defibrillation.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one pad is made of conductive polymer.

15. A system comprising:

a non-invasive electrode comprising at least one pad having a first surface adapted to be placed in contact with a patient'"'"'s skin, and having a second surface, said electrode further comprising an expanded foil backing configured to be radiolucent and substantially cover said second surface of said pad;

a source of RF energy; and

means for coupling said source to said expanded foil backing.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said at least one pad is made of conductive polymer.

17. A process comprising the steps of:

providing a non-invasive electrode comprising an expanded foil backing configured to be radiolucent, and having a skin contacting pad;

contacting a patient'"'"'s skin with a first surface of said pad;

delivering electrical impulses to said patient, which impulses are adapted to stimulate the patient'"'"'s heart, through said pad; and

delivering RF energy to said patient through said pad.

18. The process of claim 17 wherein said electrical impulses are delivered at a level determined sufficient to defibrillate the patient'"'"'s heart.

19. A process comprising the steps of:

providing an electrode having a skin contacting pad;

providing a backing for the pad configured to be radiolucent and capable of conducting energy at a level sufficient for defibrillation;

contacting a patient'"'"'s skin with a first surface of said pad; and

delivering RF energy to said patient through said pad.