Disposable neonatal electrode for use in a high humidity environment

• US 6,687,524 B1
• Filed: 08/24/1999
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cas Medical Systems Incorporated (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cas Medical Systems Incorporated (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Svejk, Christian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/382,120
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372-393, 600/395, 607/152
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels

Abstract

An ECT, EEG, EMG, ENG or impedance pneumography hospital electrode is designed for use on neonates in high humidity environments, such as in a high humidity incubator. The electrode includes a silver-silver/chloride sensor; a signal transmitting lead connected to the sensor; and an electrically conductive, self-adhesive gel which electrically connects the sensor to the patient'"'"'s skin. The conductive, self-adhesive gel is formed from a hydrogel which is hydrophilic in nature. In order to stabilize the adhesiveness of the gel in the high humidity environment, the gel is provided with an adjunct non-hydrophilic adhesive member which provides improved adhesion to the skin while maintaining contact between the conductive gel and the patient'"'"'s skin. The use of the adjunct adhesive member enables the electrode assembly to be used in the high humidity environment for extended periods of time without becoming detached from the patient'"'"'s skin.

Claims

1. A medical electrode for use in a high relative humidity neonatal care environment, said electrode assembly comprising:

a) a sensor for sensing electrical signals emanating from a patient'"'"'s body;

b) a hydrophilic self adhesive electrically conductive hydrogel member contacting said sensor, said hydrogel member having a surface which contacts a patient'"'"'s skin and said hydrogel member being operable to transmit electrical signals from the patient'"'"'s skin to said sensor; and

c) an adjunct self adhesive non-electrically conductive securement member adjacent to and connected to said hydrogel member, said securement member having a skin-contacting surface which is coextensive with hydrogel member surface, the adhesive nature of said adjunct member being essentially unaffected by high humidity whereby said adjunct member provides extended securement of the electrode to a patient'"'"'s skin in the high humidity environment after said hydrogel member has essentially lost its self adhesiveness due to water absorption.

2. The medical electrode of claim 1 wherein said adjunct member maintains its adhesiveness in environments having a relative humidity of up to about 90%.

3. The medical electrode of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel member loses its self adhesiveness during use in an environment have a relative humidity of more than about 50% due to water absorption from the environment.

4. The medical electrode of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel member and said adjunct member are laminated to concentric foam rings which are connected to each other.

5. The medical electrode of claim 4 wherein said hydrogel member foam ring is disposed inwardly of said adjunct member foam ring.

6. The medical electrode of claim 5 wherein said hydrogel member and said hydrogel member foam ring combine to form a pocket in which said sensor is positioned.

7. The medical electrode of claim 6 wherein said foam rings are connected together by an adherent cover sheet.

8. In a medical electrode of the type having an electrical signal sensor and a self adhesive and electrically conductive hydrophilic hydrogel member having a skin-contacting surface, which hydrogel member is connected to the sensor for transmitting electrical signals from a patient'"'"'s skin to the sensor, the improvement comprising an adjunct adhesive member which surrounds the hydrogel member and has an adjunct skin-contacting surface which is coextensive with the hydrogel member skin-contacting surface, said adjunct member being able to retain its adhesiveness in environments having a relative humidity of more than about 50% so as to maintain adhesion to a patient'"'"'s skin after the hydrogel member has essentially lost its adhesiveness due to water absorption for the humid environment.

9. The medical electrode of claim 8 wherein said adjunct member will retain its adhesiveness in an environment having a relative humidity of up to about 90% for an extended time period during which the hydrogel member will have lost its adhesiveness due to absorption of water from the humid environment.