Electrode patch and wireless physiological measurement system and method

• US 7,206,630 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbital Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc.
• Inventors: Tarler, Matthew David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, SHEVON ELIZABETH
• Application Number:
  US10/879,666
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 600508-509, 600545-546, 600393-396, 600372-373, 600382-384, 600/301, 128/903
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A wireless electrode patch and system for measuring the physiological condition of a subject, more particularly to an electrode patch for ECG monitoring, and a method of sensing, analyzing and/or transmitting or relaying a physiological signal. The wireless electrode patch and system is lightweight, compact and reusable. The wireless electrode patch provides a low, power system for extended battery life and use. The wireless electrode patch and system allows for good reliable measurement of physiological signals from the subject. The wireless electrode is simple enough to apply as a single patch but versatile enough to be reconfigured as more than one patch.

Claims

1. An electrode patch for sensing all electrophysiological signal from a subject, the electrode patch comprising:

a base having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base comprising at least two electrodes for placing on a subjects skin and for sensing of an electrophysiological signal from the subject;

one or more electronic components for receiving the electrophysiological signal and transmitting a signal corresponding to the electrophysiological signal to a receiving unit or remote communication station, the one or more electronic components being mechanically attached to the base;

a battery separate from the one or more electronic components for powering the one or more electronic components; and

at least two electrical pathways connecting the at least two electrodes to the one or more electronic components which are not used as a primary means to mechanically attach the one or more electronic components to the base.

2. The electrode patch in claim 1, wherein the at least two electrodes are dry physiological recording electrodes each comprising at least one penetrator.

3. The electrode patch in claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic components are capable of receiving a signal from a remote transmitter and the received signal in part is used by the one or more electronic components to control the transmitted signal from the one or more electronic components.

4. The electrode patch in claim 3, wherein the base is a laminate of at least two layers.

5. The electrode patch in claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the base further comprises a foam material with a well formed in the foam material for each of the at least two electrodes and each of the wells contains a conductive gel.

6. The electrode patch in claim 1, wherein the electrophysiological signal is an EKG signal.

7. An electrode patch for sensing an electrophysiological signal from a subject, the electrode patch comprising:

a base having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base comprising at least two electrodes for placing on a subjects skin and for sensing of an electrophysiological signal from the subject;

one or more electronic components mechanically attached to the upper surface of the base for receiving the electrophysiological signal and transmitting a wireless radio frequency signal corresponding to the electrophysiological signal to a receiving unit or remote communication station;

a battery for powering the one or more electronic components;

at least two electrical pathways connecting to the at least two electrodes; and

a connector for mechanically attaching the one or more electronic components to the upper surface of the base and electrically connecting the at least two electrical pathways to the one or more electronic components.

8. The electrode patch in claim 7, wherein the at least two electrodes are dry physiological recording electrodes each comprising at least one penetrator.

9. The electrode patch in claim 7, wherein the one or more electronic components are capable of receiving a wireless signal from a remote transmitter and the received signal in part is used by the one or more electronic components to control the transmitted wireless signal from the one or more electronic components.

10. The electrode patch in claim 9, wherein the base is a laminate of at least two layers.

11. The electrode patch in claim 10, wherein the lower surface of the base further comprises a foam material with a well formed in the foam material for each of the at least two electrodes and each of the wells contains a conductive gel.

12. The electrode patch in claim 7, wherein the electrophysiological signal is an EKG signal.

13. A wireless system for monitoring at least one physiological condition of a subject, the system comprising:

an electrode patch comprising a base having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base comprising at least two electrodes for placing on a subjects skin and for sensing of an electrophysiological signal from the subject; and

one or more electronic components for receiving the electrophysiological signal, transmitting a wireless signal corresponding to the electrophysiological signal to a receiving unit or remote communication station, and receiving a wireless signal from a remote transmitter, the one or more electronic components being mechanically attached to the upper surface of the base; and

and a receiving unit or remote communication station for receiving, re-transmitting and/or processing the wireless signal corresponding to the electrophysiological signal, the receiving unit or remote communication station comprising a computer, processor and/or one or more electronic parts.

14. The wireless system in claim 13, further comprising a battery for powering the one or more electronic components.

15. The wireless system in claim 14, wherein the at least two electrodes are dry physiological recording electrodes each comprising at least one penetrator.

16. The wireless system in claim 15, wherein the remote computer or processor system is a personal data assistant (PDA).

17. The wireless system in claims 16, wherein the lower surface of the base further comprises a foam material with a well formed in the foam material for each of the at least two electrodes and each of the wells contains a conductive gel.

18. The wireless system in claim 13, wherein the electrophysiological signal is an EKG signal.