EMG electrode
First Claim
1. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:
- an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon;
a plurality of pyramids disposed on one side of said head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each pyramid includes a pointed tip at an apex of the pyramid;
said head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; and
said pointed tips being of substantially uniform elevation from said head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals consists of a generally bolt-shaped structure having a circular signal-gathering head and an integral shaft for support purposes and for transmission of electrical signals. The head of the electrode is configured as a disc having a plurality of pyramids distributed substantially evenly over the signal gathering surface with the tips of the pyramids projecting outwardly of the head for contact with the skin of a patient. Preferably, the electrode consists entirely of 316L stainless steel, the pyramids are formed by grinding or electromachining and the shaft is threaded for receipt of a clamp nut. The electrode is adapted for mounting in a hole in a thin, flexible support member by means of the shaft to maintain spacing among adjacent electrodes and to assure proper contact with the patient.
125 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon; a plurality of pyramids disposed on one side of said head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each pyramid includes a pointed tip at an apex of the pyramid; said head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; and said pointed tips being of substantially uniform elevation from said head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head and integral shaft orthogonal to the head; a plurality of pointed members integral with and projecting outwardly of the head, wherein each of the pointed members terminates in a tip, wherein all of the tips lie substantially in a plane and equidistantly spaced outwardly of the head, and wherein the tips have a substantially uniform elevation from the head in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient; the shaft being threaded to receive a nut for securing the electrode in an aperture of a support member. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head and integral shaft orthogonal to said head; a plurality of pyramids integral with and projecting outwardly of the head, wherein each of the pyramids terminates in a tip, wherein the pyramids have flat sides, joined at the apex of each pyramid to form the tips, wherein all of the tips lie substantially in a plane and equidistantly spaced outwardly of the head, and wherein the tips have a substantially uniform elevation from the head in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient; the shaft adapted to receive a securing member for mounting the electrode and for transmitting electrical signals between the head and a remote utilization device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head portion and integral shaft portion extending generally orthogonal to said head, wherein said head is in the shape of a disc, wherein said head diameter is approximately 0.375 inch; a plurality of pyramids integral with and projecting outwardly of the head portion, wherein each of the pyramids has a substantially square base and flat sides that intersect at an apex of each pyramid to form a tip, wherein all of the pyramid tips lie substantially in a plane and are disposed in a substantially equally spaced array, and wherein the pyramids are formed by machining the head portion, and wherein the head thickness including the pyramids is approximately 0.08 inch, wherein the pyramid altitude is approximately 0.042 inch, and wherein the tip radius is approximately 0.005 inch; and wherein the shaft portion is adapted to receive a securing member enabling mounting the electrode and wherein the shaft portion transmits electrical signals from the head portion, whereby signals from the head portion may be received by a remote signal utilization device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon, wherein the head member includes a integral shaft orthogonal to said head; a plurality of projections disposed on one side of the head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each of the projections has a broad base tapering to a pointed apex; the head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; the projections being of substantially uniform elevation from the head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient; and the shaft being threaded to receive a nut for securing said electrode in an aperture of a support member.
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18. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:
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an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon; a plurality of projections disposed on one side of the head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each of the projections has a broad base tapering to a pointed apex, wherein each projection has an apex radius of approximately 0.005 inch; the head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; and the projections being of substantially uniform elevation from the head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient.
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Specification