Electrode assembly for signaling a monitor
First Claim
1. An electrode assembly for an awareness level monitor, comprising, in combination:
- a flexible layera plurality of electrodes oriented in fixed positions and integrally formed with said flexible layer,said electrode assembly further including plural electrical connecting paths disposed on said flexible layer extending from said plural electrodes which are also located on said flexible layer to an input of the awareness level monitor, with each said electrode having its own said path,said electrodes located in clusters of fixed arrays to measure facial muscle tonus as artifacts of patient awareness,one cluster including one said array oriented to measure the tonus of the corrugator facial muscle group and another said array to measure the tonus of the frontalis facial muscle group.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode assembly adapted to be attached to the skin over selected facial muscle groups picks up signals to be analyzed by an anesthesia adequacy monitor that measures the level of awareness of a living animal, typically a human being. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly by printing a pattern of electrically conductive material through a silk-screen onto a flexible layer, and then coating the result with a non-conducting adhesive except at points corresponding to sensing points for the desired muscle groups. Finally, a method for using such sensing means is shown in maintaining an appropriate level of patient awareness under anesthesia.
232 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electrode assembly for an awareness level monitor, comprising, in combination:
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a flexible layer a plurality of electrodes oriented in fixed positions and integrally formed with said flexible layer, said electrode assembly further including plural electrical connecting paths disposed on said flexible layer extending from said plural electrodes which are also located on said flexible layer to an input of the awareness level monitor, with each said electrode having its own said path, said electrodes located in clusters of fixed arrays to measure facial muscle tonus as artifacts of patient awareness, one cluster including one said array oriented to measure the tonus of the corrugator facial muscle group and another said array to measure the tonus of the frontalis facial muscle group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. The assembly of 5 wherein said layer is linearly non-extensible along said electrical paths to thwart breaks in conductivity along said paths.
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10. An electrode assembly for an awareness level monitor, comprising, in combination:
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a flexible layer, a plurality of electrodes oriented in fixed positions and integrally formed with said flexible layer, said electrode assembly further including plural electrical connecting paths disposed on said flexible layer extending from said plural electrodes which are also located on said flexible layer to an input of the awareness level monitor, with each said electrode having its own said path, said electrodes located in clusters of fixed arrays to measure facial muscle tonus as artifacts of patient awareness, one cluster including one said array oriented to measure the tonus of the orbicularis oculi facial muscle group and another said array to measure muscle tonus of the zygomatic facial muscle group. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. The assembly of 14 wherein said layer is linearly non-extensible along said electrical paths to thwart breaks in conductivity along said paths.
Specification