ECG monitoring electrode

• US 8,406,843 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Tiegs
• Original Assignee: Mark Tiegs
• Inventors: Tiegs, Mark, Arndt, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US12/384,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20090253975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 600/391, 600/392, 600/394, 607/152
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0217 Electrolyte containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners

Abstract

A self-prepping ECG electrode assembly is provided. The electrode assembly includes an electrode element, an electrode stud, an abrasive member, an electrolyte gel, a cover member and a securing member. The electrode element and electrode stud are adapted to be rotatable within the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may be used with a drive tool. The electrode assembly may be placed on the skin of a patient. The skin of the patient may be prepped for an ECG by inserting the drive tool into a bore formed in the electrode stud and turning the drive tool to achieve an oscillating rotation. In this manner the abrasive pad preps the patient'"'"'s skin for the ECG procedure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an electrode stud, the electrode stud having a first end, a second end and a diameter;

an electrode element, the electrode element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being coupled to the first end of the electrode stud;

a securing element, the securing element having an first surface and an opposed second surface, the securing element having a first aperture therethrough, the first aperture extending from first surface to the second surface;

a groove, formed around the electrode stud diameter;

a snap-cover, the snap-cover being coupled to the second surface of the securing element, the snap-cover having a second aperture therethrough;

the second aperture of the snap-cover defining an edge wherein the edge is configured to engage the groove to effect the electrode stud being rotatably retained within the second aperture;

abrading means coupled to the second surface of the electrode element for abrading the surface of the skin of the patient and contouring to the surface of the skin of the patient so as to maximize conductive surface contact with the skin and simultaneously prevent movement of the electrode element and said abrading means except on application of a sufficient amount of force to the electrode element; and

wherein the electrode stud extends through the securing element first aperture and the snap-cover second aperture and is rotatably retained within the second aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the edge is further sized and configured to engage the groove to prevent electrolyte gel from migrating outward towards the second end of the electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the abrading means further comprises an abrasive surface integrally formed on the second surface of the electrode element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the abrading means further comprises an abrasive pad coupled to the second surface of the electrode element.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the abrasive pad extends below the second surface of the securing member element.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a backing member coupled to the second surface of the securing member element.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a cavity formed in the backing member, the cavity being sized and configured to receive the abrasive pad.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an electrolyte gel applied to the abrasive pad.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the abrasive pad is generally disc shaped.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing element includes an adhesive on the second surface thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrode element and electrode stud are integrally formed.

12. A method comprising:

providing an electrode, the electrode having;

a securing element, the securing element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the securing element having a first aperture therethrough, the first aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface;

a snap-cover, the snap-cover having a first surface and a second surface, at least a portion of the first surface being coupled to the second surface of the securing element, the snap-cover having a second aperture therethrough;

an electrode stud having a first end and a second end, the electrode stud being rotatably retrained within the snap-cover aperture,

an electrode element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being coupled to the second end of the electrode stud,

abrading means coupled to the second surface of the electrode element,

wherein the second surface of the securing element is covered in an adhesive material, and

a backing member is removably secured to the second surface of the securing element;

removing the backing member from the second surface of the securing element;

placing the electrode on the skin of a patient;

rotating the electrode stud in a first direction and a second opposite direction to abrade the skin; and

connecting a monitoring device to the electrode.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotating step further comprises:

providing the electrode with a bore formed in the first end of the electrode stud;

providing a drive tool, the drive tool having a first end sized and configured to matingly engage the electrode stud bore;

inserting the drive tool into the electrode stud bore;

rotating the tool in a first direction and a second opposite direction.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotating step further comprises:

providing the electrode with an electrode stud having an external multi-faceted configuration;

providing a drive tool, the drive tool having a first end with a bore sized and configured to matingly engage the electrode stud external configuration;

placing the drive tool over the electrode stud such that the first end of the electrode stud is inserted in the drive tool bore;

rotating the tool in a first direction and a second opposite direction.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the connecting step further comprises:

providing a lead wire having a first end and a second end;

connecting the first end of the lead wire to the electrode; and

connecting the second end of the lead wire to the monitoring device.

16. A kit comprising:

a plurality of electrodes carried on a backing member, each electrode including;

a securing element, the securing element having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the securing element having a first aperture therethrough, the first aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface;

a snap-cover, the snap-cover having a first surface and a second surface, at least a portion of the first surface being coupled to the second surface of the securing element, the snap-cover having a second aperture therethrough;

an electrode stud having a first end and a second end, the electrode stud being rotatably retrained within the snap-cover aperture,

an electrode element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being coupled to the second end of the electrode stud, and

abrading means coupled to the second surface of the electrode element; and

a hand-operated drive tool having a first end sized and configured to engage the first end of the electrode stud.

17. The kit of claim 16 wherein

the electrode stud first end includes a bore formed therein;

and

the drive tool has an exterior configuration sized and configured to engage the interior of the electrode stud bore.

18. The kit of claim 16 wherein the drive tool has a bore formed in the first end thereof, the bore being sized and configured to engage the first end of the electrode stud.