Conductor

• US 7,272,427 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2001
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Healthcare Finland OY (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare Finland OY (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ristolainen, Kimmo
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US10/296,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20040034296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,282 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/393, 600/395, 600/372, 600/373, 607/2, 607/115, 607/116, 607/117, 607/119
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/24 the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0009 Details relating to the conductive cores

Abstract

A conductor, especially a conductor for measuring bio-electric signals occurring in an MRI environment, which comprises an electrically conductive part made of a non-metal material and a sheath part arranged over it. To produce a light and flexible conductor, the impedance of the conductive part is in the range of 5 to 300 kilo-ohm. The sheath part is arranged to endure a required voltage and the conductor comprises a support part which is made of a substantially inelastic material.

Claims

1. A conductor for conducting a weak bio-electric signal from a first end of the conductor to a second end of the conductor, the weak bio-electric signal being obtained from a patient electrode connectable to said first end of the conductor, said conductor minimizing attenuation of the conducted, weak bio-electric signal while avoiding the inductive generation of currents in the conductor presenting a risk of injury to the patient when the conductor is used in an environment in which current-inducing electro-magnetic energy is present, said conductor comprising:

an electrically conductive member (6) extending between said first and second ends of the conductor, said electrically conductive member being formed of a solid, non-metallic, conductive material and exhibiting an impedance between said first and second ends in a range of 5 to 300 kilo-ohms;

an insulating sheath member (7) surrounding the exterior of said electrically conductive member, said sheath member having insulating properties that are maintained when the sheath member is subjected to a voltage up to a predetermined magnitude; and

a support member (8) extending between said first and second ends of said conductor and comprising a longitudinally substantially inelastic, flexible material.

2. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the impedance of said electrically conductive member (6) is in the range of 20 to 100 kilo-ohm.

3. A conductor as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the impedance of said electrically conductive member (6) is in the range of 40 to 80 kilo-ohm.

4. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said electrically conductive member (6) is formed of a conductive silicone compound.

5. A conductor as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that carbon particles are uniformly dispersed in the silicone compound.

6. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said insulating sheath member (7) is made of polyurethane.

7. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said support member (8) is arranged along a center axis of the conductor.

8. A conductor as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said support member (8) is made of Kevlar fibers.

9. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said support member (8) is made of Kevlar fibers.

10. A conductor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first end of the conductor is equipped with an electrode connector (5) which is at least partly made of a conductive hard non-metal material.

11. A conductor as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the conductive non-metal material of said electrode connector is a plastic material with carbon added to the plastic material.

12. A conductor device for conducting an EKG signal obtained from a patient electrode, said conductor device minimizing attenuation of the conducted, EKG signal while avoiding the inductive generation of currents in the conductor device presenting a risk of injury to the patient when used in an MRI environment, said conductor device comprising:

an electrode connector (5) suitable for connection to the patient electrode, said electrode connector being formed, at least in part from a plastic material with carbon added to the plastic material;

an electrically conductive member (6) having first and second ends, said electrode connector being connected to an end of said electrically conductive member, said electrically conductive member being formed of a silicone compound having carbon particles uniformly dispersed therein and exhibiting an impedance between said first and second ends in a range of 40 to 80 kilo-ohms;

an insulating sheath member (7) surrounding the exterior of said electrically conductive member, said sheath member being formed of polyurethane having insulating properties that are maintained when said sheath member is subjected to a voltage up to at least 3 kV; and

a support member (8) extending between said first and second ends of said electrically conductive member, said support member being positioned along a center axis of the conductor device and comprising Kevlar fibers.