SKIN SCREW ELECTRODES

• US 20150126846A1
• Filed: 02/06/2012
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Original Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Inventors: Jia, Wenyan, Sun, Mingui, Sclabassi, Robert Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,504,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/251 Means for maintaining electrode contact with the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/273 Connection of cords, cables or leads to electrodes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0464 Specially adapted for promoting tissue growth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0468 Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin

Abstract

Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes are disclosed that may include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation. The shallow and relatively long teeth run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient'"'"'s skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the tiny teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and move nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum, thus anchoring the electrode securely to the skin. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the small teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may be fabricated in a variety of geometries including cylindrical, disk, and blunt bullet or top shapes. In some instances, the electrodes may be connected to detachable leads having magnetic properties.

Claims

1. An electrode system for attaching an electrode to skin of a patient, comprising:

an electrode having an electrode body comprising an electrode face that is adapted to be pressed against the skin of the patient, wherein said electrode face includes a plurality of teeth, wherein each of said plurality of teeth includes a shaft that initially extends roughly perpendicularly from said electrode face and then turns to run roughly parallel to said electrode face to a depth that is less than a depth of stratum corneum of said patient.

2. The electrode system of claim 1, further comprising a cap that is connected to a distal portion of said electrode body.

3. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said teeth are located at across the electrode face.

4. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said teeth are located on a rim at a perimeter of said electrode face.

5. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said electrode body is in the form of a cylinder, a blunt bullet, or a disk.

6. The electrode system of claim 2, wherein said cap comprises a magnetic material and is shaped as a cylindrical disk having a hole.

7. The electrode system of claim 6, further comprising a spherical magnetic lead that is adapted to fit snuggly into the hole.

8. The electrode system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said teeth, said cap, and said spherical magnetic lead is coated or electroplated with a conductive material.

9. The electrode system of claim 8, further comprising a rubber ring that covers said electrode teeth when said electrode is not attached to said patient.

10. A method of fabricating an electrode comprising the steps of:

applying an etchant-resistant chemical to the surface of a sheet of material in a pattern, said pattern including a plurality of teeth on a side of said pattern, wherein each tooth includes a shaft that initially extends roughly perpendicular from said electrode face and then turns to run roughly parallel to said electrode face to a depth that is less than a depth of stratum corneum of a patient;

etching said metal with an etchant solution;

forming said electrode from said non-etched material, wherein said electrode has an electrode face that is adapted to be pressed against the skin of the patient, wherein said electrode face includes said plurality of teeth.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said forming step includes rolling said sheet of material into a cylinder.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of fusing said sheet into said cylinder after said forming step.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fusing is achieved using adhesive, soldering, epoxy, or sintering.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of coating said sheet of material with a layer of sintering agent prior to said etching step.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of heat-treating said electrode to achieve said sintering after said forming step.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said cylinder defines a body of said electrode.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said plurality of said teeth is located at a rim of said cylinder.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said forming step comprises rolling said sheet of material into a coil to form a body of said electrode having an electrode face.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of said teeth is located on said electrode face.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said electrode is in the form of a cylinder, a blunt bullet, or a disk.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of fusing said sheet into said coil after said forming step.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said fusing is achieved using adhesive, soldering, epoxy, or sintering.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of coating said sheet of material with a layer of sintering agent prior to said etching step.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of heat-treating said electrode to achieve said sintering after said forming step.