Electrode array and skin attachment system for noninvasive nerve location and imaging device
First Claim
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1. An electrode array comprising:
- a sheet of electrically non-conductive material having a sensor electrode region, an instrumentation connector region and a flexible stem region mechanically joining the sensor electrode region and the instrumentation connector region;
circuitry comprising an electrode array having at least two electrodes, which are disposed within the sensor electrode region, a connection lead corresponding to each electrode disposed within the instrumentation connector region, a negative return lead disposed within the instrumentation connector region, an electrically conductive connection between each electrode and its corresponding connection lead; and
registration features on the sensor electrode region for a unique alignment with a skin attachment system.
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Abstract
A system for detecting and marking the positions of peripheral nerves is disclosed. A reusable electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes is combined with a disposable skin attachment system comprising hydrogel islands. In use, the electrode array is connected to a peripheral nerve detection instrument. The disposable skin attachment system is then attached to an electrode sensor region. The skin attachment system is then adhered to an area of skin, detection is carried out, and then the electrode array is peeled back from the skin, leaving a skin marking guide in place. The skin marking guide is then used to mark areas of interest to a therapist.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrode array comprising:
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a sheet of electrically non-conductive material having a sensor electrode region, an instrumentation connector region and a flexible stem region mechanically joining the sensor electrode region and the instrumentation connector region;
circuitry comprising an electrode array having at least two electrodes, which are disposed within the sensor electrode region, a connection lead corresponding to each electrode disposed within the instrumentation connector region, a negative return lead disposed within the instrumentation connector region, an electrically conductive connection between each electrode and its corresponding connection lead; and
registration features on the sensor electrode region for a unique alignment with a skin attachment system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21)
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14. A skin attachment system for attaching an electrode array to skin comprising:
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at least one registration feature for alignment of the skin attachment system with an electrode array;
a skin marking guide layer, having at least two marking holes therein;
a support layer having one hydrogel island hole corresponding to each marking hole in the skin marking guide layer, each said hydrogel island hole containing a hydrogel island, which projects into its corresponding marking hole;
wherein the skin marking guide layer and the support layer are detachably affixed one to the other. - View Dependent Claims (15)
the top cover layer being detachably affixed to the support layer; and
the fenestrated skin marking guide layer being detachably affixed to the bottom cover layer and detachably affixed to the support layer;
so that the top cover layer and the bottom cover layer may be removed from the skin attachment system prior to using the skin attachment system for imaging peripheral nerves.
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16. A sensor system for the imaging of peripheral nerves, comprising a skin attachment system, an electrode array and a medical imaging instrument,
said skin attachment system for attaching an electrode array to skin comprising: -
at least one registration feature for alignment of the skin attachment system with an electrode array;
a skin marking guide layer, having at least two marking holes therein;
a support layer having one hydrogel island hole corresponding to each marking hole in the skin marking guide layer, each said hydrogel island hole containing a hydrogel island, which projects into its corresponding marking hole;
wherein the skin marking guide layer and the support layer are detachably affixed one to the other; and
said electrode array comprising;
a sheet of electrically non-conductive material having a sensor electrode region, an instrumentation connector region and a flexible stem region mechanically joining the electrode sensor region and the instrumentation connector region;
circuitry comprising an electrode array having at least two electrodes, which are disposed within the sensor electrode region, a connection lead corresponding to each electrode disposed within the instrumentation connector region, a negative return lead disposed within the instrumentation connector region, an electrically conductive connection between each electrode and its corresponding connection lead; and
registration features on the sensor electrode region for alignment with a skin attachment system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
the skin attachment system further comprises a top cover layer adjacent to the support layer, a fenestrated skin marking guide layer adjacent to the support layer and a bottom cover layer adjacent to the fenestrated skin marking guide layer; the top cover layer being detachably affixed to the support layer; and
the fenestrated skin marking guide layer being detachably affixed to the bottom cover layer and detachably affixed to the support layer;
so that the top cover layer and the bottom cover layer may be removed from the skin attachment system prior using the skin attachment system for imaging peripheral nerves.
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18. A method of using a sensor system of claim 16, comprising
connecting the electrode array to a medical imaging instrument; -
lining up the registration features of the skin attachment system with those of the electrode array and connecting the skin attachment system to the electrode array;
attaching the skin attachment system to skin;
attaching the negative return lead to skin.
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19. A method of claim 18, further comprising removing the support layer and hydrogel islands from the skin marking guide layer, leaving the latter attached to the skin as a skin marking guide;
marking the skin through the marking holes of the skin marking guide or leaving the skin marking guide in place as a template for directing the position of at least one needle.
Specification