Electrode with charge-operated indicator
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a patient-contact electrode;
a first electrical-supply conductor and a second electrical-supply conductor;
an electrical supply configured to provide a voltage difference between the first and second electrical-supply conductors; and
a receptacle configured to accept the patient-contact electrode,wherein the receptacle is configured to electrically connect the patient-contact electrode with the first and second electrical-supply conductors, the receptacle being operable to apply the voltage difference across the patient-contact electrode; and
wherein the patient-contact electrode includes;
a support;
a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first and second electrical contacts;
are at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, andare adapted to contact a skin surface of a patient when the electrode is removably attached to the skin surface;
a charge-holding structure at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, and electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the charge-holding structure is configured to;
store a charge, andin response to formation of an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact through the patient, dissipate at least some of the charge stored in the charge-holding structure through the patient; and
an indicator at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, wherein the indicator is;
electrically connected to the charge-holding structure, andconfigured to visibly change state in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode includes separate first and second electrical contacts to contact the skin of a subject. A charge-holding structure is electrically connected between the first and second contacts. An indicator is operatively coupled to the charge-holding structure so that the indicator changes visibly in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. The electrode can include a rectifier across the contacts. A container for electrodes includes an electrical supply and a plurality of receptacles for electrodes so that a voltage difference is maintained across conductors of each receptacle (and contacts of an electrode therein) for at least one week. A method of making electrodes includes arranging the contacts over a support, connecting the charge-holding structure between them, arranging the indicator over the support, and charging the charge-holding structure so that the indicator has a first visual appearance.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a patient-contact electrode; a first electrical-supply conductor and a second electrical-supply conductor; an electrical supply configured to provide a voltage difference between the first and second electrical-supply conductors; and a receptacle configured to accept the patient-contact electrode, wherein the receptacle is configured to electrically connect the patient-contact electrode with the first and second electrical-supply conductors, the receptacle being operable to apply the voltage difference across the patient-contact electrode; and wherein the patient-contact electrode includes; a support; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first and second electrical contacts; are at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, and are adapted to contact a skin surface of a patient when the electrode is removably attached to the skin surface; a charge-holding structure at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, and electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the charge-holding structure is configured to; store a charge, and in response to formation of an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact through the patient, dissipate at least some of the charge stored in the charge-holding structure through the patient; and an indicator at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, wherein the indicator is; electrically connected to the charge-holding structure, and configured to visibly change state in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A patient-contact electrode, comprising:
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a support; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first and second electrical contacts; are at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, and are adapted to contact a skin surface of a patient when the electrode is removably attached to the skin surface; a charge-holding structure at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support and electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the charge-holding structure is configured to; store a charge; and in response to formation of an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact through the patient, dissipate at least some of the charge stored in the charge-holding structure through the patient; and an indicator at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, wherein the indicator is; electrically connected to the charge-holding structure, and configured to visibly change state in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrocardiogram system, comprising:
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a measurement unit; a plurality of patient-contact electrodes, at least one patient-contact electrode of the plurality of patient-contact electrodes including; a support; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the first and second electrical contacts; are at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, and are adapted to contact a skin surface of a patient when the electrode is removably attached to the skin surface; a terminal electrically connected to the first electrical contact; a charge-holding structure at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support and electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the charge-holding structure is configured to; store a charge; and in response to formation of an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact through the patient, dissipate at least some of the charge stored in the charge-holding structure through the patient; and an indicator at least partly embedded in or disposed on the support, wherein the indicator is; electrically connected to the charge-holding structure, and configured to visibly change state in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure; and at least two wires configured to electrically connect the measurement unit with respective terminals of at least two patient-contact electrodes of the plurality of patient-contact electrodes; wherein the measurement unit is configured to; measure respective voltages on the at least two wires; and determine one or more electrocardiogram signals indicating respective voltage differences between pairs of the measured respective voltages. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification