EMG electrode array support belt

• US 6,002,957 A
• Filed: 04/14/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vdi Acquisition Corp.
• Original Assignee: Paraspinal Diagnostic Corporation
• Inventors: Finneran, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/059,783
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/382-384, 600/388-390, 600/393, 600/394, 600/546, 607/148, 607/149, 607/152
• US Class Current: 600/382
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]

Abstract

An electrode array for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a patient consists of 63 electrically conductive electrodes supported in a non-conductive, flexible pad in a predetermined pattern of nine rows and seven columns of equally spaced electrodes. The flexible pad allows the electrode array to conform to the external curvature of the patient, while the 9×7 rectangular array of electrodes provides a unique pattern related to the configuration of underlying muscle groups of the patient. This allows the sensor pad to be uniquely positioned relative to the patient'"'"'s anatomy and to provide signals representative of the muscle activity, which can then be electronically displayed in a corresponding pattern, for evaluation by the attending physician.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a patient, comprising:

a support member;

a plurality of electrodes retained in the support member in a predetermined pattern, for positioning on a surface of a patient in a location related to underlying patient anatomy, wherein each of the electrodes includes a patient-contacting electrode head, wherein each electrode head comprises a plurality of discrete patient-contacting pyramid projections for engaging the surface of the patient, and wherein each pyramid projection culminates in a pointed tip for enhancing contact with the surface of the patient;

the support member being semi-flexible to conform to the external curvature of the patient to allow the electrodes to intimately contact the surface of the patient;

the support member being sufficiently rigid to maintain the predetermined pattern of the electrodes relative to one another.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said predetermined pattern of said electrodes is an array of parallel rows and columns of electrodes.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrodes are equally spaced in said rows and columns.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a retainer for each electrode, wherein said retainer secures said electrode to said support member for removal from and for positioning said plurality of electrodes on the surface of a patient in said predetermined pattern.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said electrode is of generally bolt-shaped configuration having a patient-contacting head and integral shank and said retainer cooperates with said shank to secure said electrode to said support member.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said support member is an elastomeric sheet having a plurality of apertures therein through which said shanks of said electrodes are disposed with said electrode head at one side of said sheet and said retainer at the other side of said sheet.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further comprising an electrical connector affixed to said shank of each said electrode and secured by said retainer for transmitting electrical signals from each said electrode to a remote location.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further including individual wires routed over the surface of said elastomeric sheet, extending from each said electrode to an electrical connector at one side of said sheet, for removable connection of said apparatus as a unit, from remote electrical apparatus.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the pyramid projections are substantially evenly distributed across the electrode head.

10. Apparatus for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a patient, comprising:

a support member;

a plurality of electrodes retained on the support member in a predetermined pattern, for positioning on a surface of a patient in a location related to underlying patient anatomy, wherein the predetermined pattern of the electrodes is an array of seven columns of electrodes and nine rows of electrodes, wherein the rows and columns of electrodes are generally equally spaced and in parallel;

the support member being semi-flexible to conform to the external curvature of the patient to allow the electrodes to intimately contact the surface of the patient;

the support member being sufficiently rigid to generally maintain the predetermined pattern of the electrodes spaced relative to one another.

11. An EMG electrode array for collecting signals from a patient, comprising:

an elastomeric sheet having a plurality of apertures therein in a configuration of equally spaced columns and rows;

a generally bolt-shaped electrode positioned in each of the apertures, each electrode having a planar head disposed at one side of the sheet and an integral shaft passing through the aperture, wherein each electrode head comprises a plurality of discrete patient-contacting pyramid projections for engaging a surface of a patient, and wherein each pyramid projection culminates in a pointed tip for enhancing contact with the surface of the patient;

a retainer connected to each of the electrode shafts to secure the electrode to the sheet; and

an electrical conductor in connection with each electrode shaft for transmitting electrical signals from the electrode head to a remote location.

12. An electrode array for collecting signals from a patient, comprising:

an elastomeric sheet having a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the apertures in the elastomeric sheet are generally equally spaced in seven columns and nine rows;

a generally bolt-shaped electrode positioned in each of the apertures, each of the electrodes having a planar head disposed at one side of the sheet and an integral shaft passing through the aperture;

a retainer connected to each of the electrode shafts to secure the electrode to the sheet; and

an electrical conductor in connection with each of the electrode shafts for transmitting electrical signals from the electrode head to a remote location.

13. An electrode array as set forth in claim 12 wherein each electrode head comprises a plurality of projections, each culminating in a pointed tip for enhancing contact with a surface of a patient.

14. An electrode array as set forth in claim 13 wherein the projections comprise pyramids substantially evenly distributed across the electrode head.

15. An electrode array as set forth in claim 14 wherein said elastomeric sheet is on the order of 0.062 inch thickness, and the altitude of said pyramids is on the order of 0.042 inch.

16. An electrode array as set forth in claim 14 wherein said electrodes in each row and column are spaced 1.162 inch on center and have a head diameter of about 0.375 inch.

17. Apparatus for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a patient, comprising:

a support member;

a plurality of electrodes retained in the support member in a predetermined pattern, for positioning on a surface of a patient in a location related to underlying patient anatomy, wherein each of the electrodes includes a patient-contacting electrode head, wherein each electrode head comprises a plurality of discrete patient-contacting projections for engaging the surface of the patient, and wherein each projection has a broad base that tapers to a pointed apex for enhancing contact with the surface of the patient; and

the support member being sufficiently flexible to conform to the external curvature of the patient to allow the electrodes to intimately contact the surface of the patient.