Biomedical electrode

• US 6,129,666 A
• Filed: 11/16/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Altec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Altec Incorporated
• Inventors: Gilmore, L. Donald, DeLuca, Carlo J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/192,949
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/382, 600/384, 600/386, 600/391, 600/393, 600/394, 600/546, 607/149, 607/152
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]

Abstract

A biomedical electrode including a flexible pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array of signal contacts retained by the flexible pad and each having a contact surface projecting from the bottom surface and a coupling surface projecting above the top surface; and a connector including a plurality of connector contacts each being shaped and arranged for electrical connection to a different one of the coupling surfaces. The asymmetrical array of signal contacts facilitates proper positioning of the electrode on the skin.

Claims

1. A biomedical electrode comprising:

a flexible pad having a top surface and a bottom surface;

an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array of signal contacts retained by said flexible pad;

each said signal contact having a contact surface projecting from said bottom surface and a coupling surface projecting above said top surface, and wherein said contact surfaces are closely adjacent to said bottom surface so as to accommodate engagement thereof with the skin of a subject; and

a connector retaining a plurality of connector contacts in a linearly aligned array, each of said connector contacts being shaped and arranged for overlying engagement with a different one of said coupling surfaces.

2. A biomedical electrode according to claim 1 wherein said connector further comprises a substrate retaining said connector contacts in an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array geometrically matching said array of signal contacts.

3. A biomedical electrode according to claim 2 wherein said bottom surface is adhesive and said substrate is flexible.

4. A biomedical electrode comprising:

a flexible pad having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a plurality of signal contacts retained by said pad in a linearly aligned array, each said signal contact having a contact surface defining a portion of said bottom surface and a coupling surface defining a portion of said top surface;

a connector comprising a plurality of connector contacts each shaped and arranged for electrical connection to a different one of said coupling surfaces; and

pad indicia disposed on said pad and indicating with respect to the orientation of an adjacent bundle of substantially parallel muscle fibers a desired orientation for said linearly aligned array of signal contacts.

5. A biomedical electrode according to claim 4 wherein said connector further comprises a substrate retaining said connector contacts, and including connector indicia disposed on said substrate and indicating with respect to an adjacent bundle of muscle fibers a desired orientation for said connector contacts.

9. A biomedical electrode according to claim 4 wherein said signal contacts are aligned in an asymmetrical array.

10. A biomedical electrode according to claim 9 wherein said connector further comprises a substrate retaining said connector contacts in an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array geometrically matching said array of signal contacts.

11. A biomedical electrode according to claim 10 wherein said bottom surface is adhesive and said substrate is flexible.

12. A biomedical electrode according to claim 5 wherein said signal contacts are aligned in an asymmetrical array.

13. A biomedical electrode according to claim 12 wherein said connector contacts are retained by said substrate in an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array geometrically matching said array of signal contacts.

14. A biomedical electrode according to claim 13 wherein said bottom surface is adhesive and said substrate is flexible.

6. A biomedical electrode comprising:

a flexible pad having a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second portions divided by perforations adapted to facilitate separation thereof;

a plurality of signal contacts retained by said pad, each said signal contact having a contact surface defining a portion of said bottom surface and a coupling surface defining a portion of said top surface; and

a connector comprising a plurality of connector contacts each shaped and arranged for electrical connection to a different one of said coupling contacts, and wherein said first portion retains all of said signal contacts and said second portion extends outwardly from said first portion and retains no signal contacts.

7. A biomedical electrode according to claim 6 wherein said first portion is a central portion and said second portion is a marginal portion surrounding said central portion.

15. A biomedical electrode according to claim 6 wherein said signal contacts are retained in a linearly aligned array.

16. A biomedical electrode according to claim 15 wherein said signal contacts are aligned in an asymmetrical array.

17. A biomedical electrode according to claim 16 wherein said connector further comprises a substrate retaining said connector contacts in an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array geometrically matching said array of signal contacts.

18. A biomedical electrode according to claim 17 wherein said bottom surface is adhesive and said substrate is flexible.

8. A biomedical electrode comprising:

a flexible pad having a top surface and a bottom surface including an adhesive portion, said pad defining a linearly arranged array of slots extending therethrough;

a linearly aligned array of signal contacts formed of conductive gel and retained by said flexible pad;

each said signal contact retained in a different said slot and having a contact surface defining a portion of said bottom surface and a coupling surface defining a portion of said top surface;

a connector comprising a plurality of connector contacts, each being shaped and arranged for electrical connection to a different one of said coupling surfaces; and

adhesive means for adhering said connector to said top surface.

19. A biomedical electrode according to claim 8 wherein said signal contacts are aligned in an asymmetrical array.

20. A biomedical electrode according to claim 19 wherein said connector further comprises a substrate retaining said connector contacts in an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array geometrically matching said array of signal contacts.

21. A biomedical electrode according to claim 20 wherein said bottom surface is adhesive and said substrate is flexible.