Electrode harness and method of taking biopotential measurements

• US 8,019,402 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orbital Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orbital Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Elliott, James, Kryzpow, David, Rood, Aaron, Lisy, Frederick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/305,948
• Time in Patent Office: 2,094 Days
• Field of Search: 600/386, 600/393, 600/390
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/684 Indicating the position of the sensor on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7271 Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis A61B5/316, A61B5/349 and A61B5/374 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode harness and more particularly to an electrode harness with various features, which enhance the use and performance of the electrode harness. The present invention further relates to a method of taking biopotential measurements. The electrode harness and methods of the present invention allow for use with most applications where biopotential measurements are taken. The electrode harness can be used in ECG (or EKG), EEG, EMG, and other such biopotential measurement applications. Because of the versatility of various embodiments of the present invention, preferably the electrode harness can be adjusted for different applications or for application to various sized and shaped subjects. The electrode harness is further preferably part of a system, which includes either wireless or tethered bridges between the electrode harness and a monitor, and preferably includes various forms of processors for analyzing the biopotential signal.

Claims

1. An electrode harness for physiological monitoring of a subject, the electrode harness comprising

a. at least one electrode with adjustable connector;

b. a material operable to mechanically and electrically interconnect at least two electrodes;

c. a track system attached to or integral to the material

wherein the at least one electrode is movable along the track system with the adjustable connector.

2. The electrode harness in claim 1, wherein the material is a multi-layer laminate.

3. The electrode harness in claim 2, wherein the material comprises at least two expandable arms, each of the at least two expandable arms corresponding to the at least two electrodes.

4. The electrode harness in claim 3, wherein the material further comprises a slit or a mechanical weak point for separating one of the electrodes.

5. The electrode harness in claim 1, wherein the material comprises at least two expandable aims, each of the at least two expandable arms corresponding to the at least two electrodes.

6. The electrode harness in claim 1, wherein the material comprises an electrical pathway from the at least one electrode, the electrical pathway being electrically shielded from large defibrillator voltages.

7. The electrode harness in claim 1, further comprising a second electrode wherein the material is readily separable through created weakness in the material to allow for removal of one of the electrodes.

8. The electrode harness in claim 1, wherein the electrode is a dry electrode.

9. An electrode harness for physiological monitoring of a subject, the electrode harness comprising

at least two electrodes;

a material operable to mechanically and electrically interconnect the at least two electrodes comprising separate electrical pathways to each of the at least two electrodes; and

a lead connector to mechanically connect the material and electrically connect the separate electrical pathways to each of the at least two electrodes of the electrode harness to a tether or a wireless transmitter

wherein the material is readily separable through a perforation in the material to allow for removal and electrical disconnection from the lead connector of one of the at least two electrodes.

10. The electrode harness in claim 9, wherein one of the at least two electrodes is a dry electrode.

11. The electrode harness in claim 9, wherein the material is a multi-layer laminate.

12. The electrode harness in claim 11, wherein the material further comprises a slit or a mechanical weak point for separating one of the electrodes.

13. The electrode harness in claim 11, wherein the electrical pathway from at least one electrode is electrically shielded from large defibrillator voltages.

14. The electrode harness in claim 9, further comprising a track system attached or integral to the material wherein one of the at least two electrodes is movable along the track system with a connector.

15. The electrode harness in claim 9, further comprising a transmitter, the transmitter being a wireless transmitter operating according to Bluetooth specifications.

16. The electrode harness in claim 9, further comprising a transmitter, the transmitter minimizing undesired noise or signals.