Electroadhesive medical devices

• US 8,515,510 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: MacLaughlin, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fardanesh, Marjan
• Application Number:
  US12/414,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 600309-344
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/257 using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/263 characterised by the electrode materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0236 characterised by the application/handling support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter

Abstract

A method and system for attaching medical devices to a patient are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a medical device is formed with or is coupled to an attachment structure including a plurality of electrodes capable of generating differential voltages at adjacent electrodes, to thereby provide electrostatic adhesion with the tissue of a patient. In an embodiment, the attachment structure includes an insulative material between the respective electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

Claims

1. A structure for attachment to a patient, comprising:

a pulse oximetry sensor; and

an attachment structure formed integrally with the pulse oximetry sensor or physically coupled to the pulse oximetry sensor, the attachment structure comprising;

a plurality of electrodes configured to generate differential voltages at adjacent electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrodes is constantly generating the differential voltages to attach the pulse oximetry sensor to the patient;

a power supply configured to supply a voltage that may be used or conditioned to generate the differential voltage at the adjacent electrodes; and

an insulative material between the respective electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

2. The structure of claim 1, comprising control circuitry configured to determine one or more of the magnitude and timing of the differential voltages applied at the adjacent electrodes.

3. The structure of claim 1, comprising power conditioning configured to convert AC power to DC power, perform voltage smoothing, recover stored electrostatic energy, perform a voltage step-up of the differential voltages applied at the adjacent electrodes, or a combination thereof.

4. The structure of claim 1, comprising an input structure configured to adjust the differential voltages applied at the adjacent electrodes or of turning the differential voltages on and off.

5. The structure of claim 1, comprising a cable configured to attach the structure to one or more of a monitor or a therapeutic or treatment device.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein one or both of the pulse oximetry sensor and the attachment structure conform to the patient when attached to the patient.

7. A method, comprising:

positioning a pulse oximetry sensor on a tissue of a patient;

applying differential voltages to adjacent electrodes of an attachment structure of the pulse oximetry sensor such that the differential voltages generate an electrostatic attraction with the tissue;

securing the pulse oximetry sensor to the tissue using the electrostatic attraction, wherein the differential voltages are constantly applied to maintain the electrostatic attraction with the tissue.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising adjusting the degree of electrostatic attraction using one or more input structures on the pulse oximetry sensor or in communication with the pulse oximetry sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the tissue comprises skin tissue or mucosal tissue.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the pulse oximetry sensor, when secured, provides a clamping pressure of between about 0.5 N/cm² to about 1.5 N/cm² (about 0.8 lbs/in² to about 2.3 lbs/in²).

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the differential voltages are between about 500 V to about 10 kV.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the differential voltages are between about 2 kV to about 5 kV.

13. The method of claim 7, comprising alternating the differential voltages applied to adjacent electrodes.

14. A pulse oximetry sensor, comprising:

a sensor body;

an emitter disposed on the sensor body;

a detector disposed on the sensor body and configured to detect light emitted by the emitter; and

an attachment structure formed integrally with the sensor body or attached to the sensor body, the attachment structure comprising;

a plurality of electrodes wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to constantly generate differential voltages to secure the sensor body to the patient;

a power supply configured to supply a voltage that may be used or conditioned to generate the differential voltage at the plurality of electrodes; and

an insulating material disposed between each of the respective electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

15. The pulse oximetry sensor of claim 14, wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate differential voltages at adjacent electrodes.

16. The pulse oximetry sensor of claim 14, wherein the sensor body comprises a bandage-style sensor body or a clip-style sensor body.

17. The pulse oximetry sensor of claim 14, comprising one or more of, control circuitry, power conditioning circuitry, or an input structure that affect a voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes.