Method and device for quick press on EEG electrode

• US 8,112,141 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rhythmlink International
• Original Assignee: Persyst Development Corp.
• Inventors: Wilson, Scott B., Scheuer, Mark, Johnson, Dale, Clear, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANTISKAY, BRIAN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/125,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20080294031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600382-390, 600393-396, 600/509, 600/544, 600/547
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/293 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6839 Anchoring means, e.g. barbs

Abstract

Embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring bioelectric potentials. In some instances, an electrode is applied to a patient'"'"'s skin. The electrode may be at least partly inserted into the patient'"'"'s skin, such as by inserting at least part of one or more teeth underneath the skin.

Claims

1. An electrode comprising:

a main portion defining a plane;

a plurality of legs extending from said main portion and away from the plane; and

a plurality of protrusions extending from each of said legs wherein said legs are configured to bend, upon application of a force, towards the plane so as to define a substantially flat shape in an attack configuration and to return towards an initial configuration upon release of said force, wherein said electrode comprises a shape memory material.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said legs are bendable such that the distal end of each leg moves away from the main portion upon application of the force.

3. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the length of said protrusions is between about 300 to about 600 microns.

4. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said protrusions comprise sharp points configured to penetrate skin of the patient.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises stainless steel.

6. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises an alloy.

7. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises a nitinol.

8. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is between about 0.002 and about 0.010 inches thick.

9. An electrode system, the system comprising:

a plurality of electrodes according to claim 1; and

support structure to support the plurality of electrodes,

wherein said system is configured to be worn on a patient'"'"'s head.

10. The electrode system of claim 9, further comprising a power supply.

11. The electrode system of claim 9, further comprising at least one of an amplifier, a filter and an A/D converter.

12. The electrode system of claim 9, further comprising a wireless transmitter.

13. The electrode system of claim 9, wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of straps configured to be wrapped around the patient'"'"'s head.

14. A kit comprising:

a plurality of electrodes according to claim 1;

support structure to support the plurality of electrodes;

a wireless transmitter; and

a receiver configured to receive signals from the wireless transmitter,

wherein said system is configured to be worn on a patient'"'"'s head.

15. An electrode comprising:

a main portion defining a plane;

a plurality of legs extending from said main portion and away from the plane; and

a plurality of protruding portions extending from each of said legs and configured to stabilize the electrode upon attaching the electrode to a patient, wherein said legs are configured to bend, upon application of a force, towards the plane so as to define a substantially flat shape in an attack configuration and to return towards an initial configuration upon release of said force, wherein the electrode comprises a shape-memory material.

16. The electrode of claim 15, wherein at least two of said protruding portions are configured to be separated by a first distance upon application of a force and to be separated by a second distance upon release of said force, said first distance being greater than said second distance.

17. The electrode of claim 15, wherein the length of said protruding portions is between about 300 to about 600 microns.

18. The electrode of claim 15, wherein said protruding portions comprise sharp points.

19. The electrode of claim 15, wherein said electrode comprises stainless steel.

20. The electrode of claim 15, at least two of said protruding portions are connected by a flexible curved electrode component.

21. The electrode of claim 20, wherein the electrode is configured such that a radius of said flexible curved electrode component is larger during application of a force than during release of said force.

22. An electrode system, the system comprising:

a removal tool; and

an electrode comprising a main portion defining a plane;

a plurality of legs extending from said main portion and away from the plane; and

a plurality of protruding portions extending from each of said legs and configured to stabilize the electrode upon attaching the electrode to a patient, wherein said legs are configured to bend, upon application of a force, towards the plane so as to define a substantially flat shape in an attack configuration and to return towards an initial configuration upon release of said force, wherein the electrode comprises a shape-memory material.

23. The electrode system of claim 22, wherein said removal tool comprises a pivot point.

24. The electrode system of claim 22, wherein said removal tool comprises at least one force application component and at least two electrode contact components,

wherein a distance between the at least two electrode contact components is at least partly dependent on force applied to the at least one force application component.

25. The electrode system of claim 24, wherein said at least one force application component comprises two force application components, and wherein said applicator is configured such that a distance separating the at least two electrode contact components increases as the distance between the two force application components decrease.

26. An electrode comprising:

a main portion defining a plane;

a plurality of legs extending radially from said main portion; and

a plurality of protrusions extending radially from each of said legs, said main portion, said legs and said protrusions lying in said plane when in an initial configuration, wherein said legs are configured to bend away from said plane upon application of a force to said electrode from said initial configuration to an attack configuration wherein said legs do not lie in said plane, and to return towards said initial configuration upon release of said force, whereby, when said electrode is placed against skin of a patient, said protrusions insert into said skin of said patient upon said electrode returning from its attack configuration to its initial configuration and secure said electrode to said skin of said patient;

wherein said electrode comprises a shape memory material.

27. The electrode of claim 26, wherein said legs contain score lines to facilitate even bending of said legs.

28. The electrode of claim 26, wherein the lengths of said protrusions are between 300 to 600 microns.

29. The electrode of claim 26, wherein said protrusions are sharp points.

30. The electrode of claim 26, wherein said electrode is between 0.002 and 0.010 inch thick.

31. The electrode of claim 26, wherein said protrusions are beveled.

32. The electrode of claim 26, wherein said plurality of legs extends symmetrically from said main portion.

33. The electrode of claim 32, wherein said plurality of legs is three legs.

34. The electrode of claim 31, wherein said attack angle is at least 32 degrees relative to said initial configuration.