Electrode configuration and measuring device for measuring the electrical activity in electrically active tissue

• US 8,774,892 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Behrend, Detlef, Schmitz, Klaus-Peter, Pau, Hans Wilhelm, Sternberg, Katrin, Schmidt, Wolfram
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardinal, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US12/763,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/373, 600/377, 600/379, 600/393, 600/546, 600/552, 600/559, 607/116, 607/137, 607/118, 606/51, 606/52
• US Class Current: 600/379
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/125 characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/121 evaluating hearing capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set

Abstract

An electrode arrangement for sensing electrical activity in target tissue is described. A support electrode has an elongate electrode body with a base end and a penetrating end for insertion into the target tissue. A fixation electrode has an elongate electrode body with a base end and a penetrating end at an angle to the electrode body. The electrodes are joined together with their electrode bodies in parallel so that the penetrating end of the fixation electrode penetrates a fixed distance into the target tissue so that at least one of the electrodes senses electrical activity in the target tissue.

Claims

1. An electrode arrangement for sensing electrical activity in target tissue, the arrangement comprising:

an elongated support electrode formed with an inner cylindrical section surface and having a base end and a support electrode penetrating end configured for insertion into the target tissue;

an elongated fixation electrode formed to fit into the inner cylindrical section surface of the support electrode and having a base end adjacent and mechanically connected to the base end of the support electrode and a fixation electrode penetrating end forming a right angle to the fixation electrode; and

an electrode opening towards the support electrode penetrating end through which fits the fixation electrode penetrating end;

wherein the electrodes are joined together in parallel so that the fixation electrode penetrating end penetrates a fixed distance through the electrode opening into the target tissue so that at least one of the electrodes senses electrical activity in the target tissue.

2. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical insulation layer in the electrode opening for electrically isolating the support electrode from the fixation electrode.

3. An electrode arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the electrical insulation layer is ceramic, sapphire, A₂O₃, TiO₂, or glass.

4. An electrode arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the electrical insulation layer has a thickness between 10 μ

m and 30 μ

m.

5. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical output connection at one of the base ends to provide an electrical output signal representing the sensed electrical activity.

6. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fixation connector surrounding and mechanically connecting the electrodes.

7. An electrode arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the fixation connector is movable.

8. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electrode arrangement forms a monopolar sensing arrangement.

9. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electrode arrangement forms a bipolar sensing arrangement.

10. An electrode arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical insulation layer covering at least a portion of at least one of the electrodes.

11. An electrode arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the electrical insulation layer is silicone or polyurethane elastomer.