Electrode structure for measuring electrical responses from the human body

• US 7,440,789 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nexstim OY
• Original Assignee: Nexstim OY
• Inventors: Hannula, Henri, Aho, Matti, Ollikainen, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US10/579,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 600/383, 600/396
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrode structure (10) for attachment to a more extensive measuring structure (11), in order to measure electrical responses from the human body. The electrode structure (10) includes a conductive electrode (1). According to the invention, the electrode (1) is shaped to be thin in the thickness direction of the electrode structure (10), and the electrode structure (10) is equipped with a hole (6) and the electrode (1) is located at the edge of the hole (6), in such a way that its longitudinal axis is essentially parallel to the plane of the measurement subject.

Claims

1. An electrode structure for attachment to a more extensive measuring structure, in order to measure electrical responses from the human body, the electrode structure comprising:

a inner surface to contact with a measurement subject;

an outer surface opposed a predetermined distance to the inner surface;

a peripheral surface connecting the inner surface and the outer surface;

a central opening in the inner surface extending through the outer surface;

an opening in the peripheral surface extending though the electrode structure to meet the central opening; and

an electrode fitted in the opening in the peripheral surface, the electrode having a measuring lead, an electrode pellet and a conductor connecting the measuring lead and the electrode pellet, an end of the electrode pellet being positioned where the opening in peripheral surface meets the central opening and a portion of the measuring lead extending beyond the peripheral surface.

2. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

the electrode is formed from silver/silver-chloride (Ag—

AgCl), in order to form electrically stable interfaces between the measurement subject and the measuring electronics.

3. The electrode structure according to claim 2, wherein

the conductor connecting the measuring lead and the electrode pellet is made of pure silver (Ag).

4. The electrode structure according to claim 2, wherein

a thickness of the electrode structure anywhere between the inner surface and the outer surface is less than 5 mm.

5. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

a thickness of the electrode structure anywhere between the inner surface and the outer surface is less than 5 mm.

6. The electrode structure according to claim 5, wherein

the thickness of the electrode structure anywhere between the inner surface and the outer surface is less than 2 mm.

7. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

the outer surface is configured to receive a locking piece and the electrode structure attaches to the more extensive measuring structure via the locking piece.

8. The electrode structure according to claim 7, wherein

the outer surface has a curved opening and the locking piece locks into the curved opening.

9. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

a diameter of the central opening is in a range of between 2 nm and 4 mm.

10. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

the electrode pellet is cylindrical in shape and an axial direction in which the electrode pellet extends is essentially parallel to a plane of a subject being measured.

11. The electrode structure according to claim 10, wherein

the electrode pellet has a cross-section along any plane perpendicular to the axial direction in which the electrode pellet extends with a surface area that is less than 15 mm².

12. The electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein

the cross-section of the electrode pellet is less than 4 mm².

13. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein

the electrode pellet is a sintered silver/silver-chloride mass (Ag—

AgCl).

14. A measuring cap for measuring electrical responses from the human body, which measuring cap comprises:

a cap configured to be place upon a human head; and

one or more electrode structures according to claim 1 attached to the cap, wherein

the measuring leads of the one or more electrode structures transmit measurement results to measuring equipment attached to the measuring leads.

15. The measuring cap according to claim 14, wherein

the measuring leads are wound into a tight spiral bundle, in order to reduce interference.

16. The measuring cap according to claim 14, wherein

the measuring leads include ground and reference electrode leads that are wound tightly to each other to reduce interference.

17. The measuring cap according to claim 14, wherein

the measuring leads run from the electrode structures towards a front of the cap to reduce interference.