Sensor mask and method of making same

• US 6,032,065 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT
• Inventors: Brown, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/897,844
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 607/152, 607/153, 607/139, 607/140, 607/141, 607/11, 600/372, 600/382-397, 600/544-546
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]

Abstract

A flexible, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to attach sensor mask (10) for placement on a patient (11) for monitoring physiological signals of the patient is disclosed. The sensor mask includes an elongated flexible substrate (12); a plurality of electrodes (14) spaced along the length of the substrate and configured for placement against the patient for sensing the physiological signals; and at least one electrical connector (16) electrically coupled with the electrodes for delivering the physiological signals sensed by the electrodes to a recording/analyzing device. The electrodes are formed of patches of conductive ink that are deposited on the substrate at spaced locations along the length thereof. The electrical connector includes terminals formed of conductive ink deposited on the substrate and is electrically coupled with the electrodes by a plurality of lines of conductive ink deposited on the substrate.

Claims

1. A sensor mask for placement on a patient for monitoring physiological signals of the patient, said sensor mask comprising:

an elongated flexible substrate;

a plurality of electrodes spaced along the length of the substrate and configured for placement against the patient for sensing the physiological signals, the electrodes each being formed of a patch of conductive ink deposited on said substrate, the electrodes including a centrally located ground electrode for positioning near a midpoint of the patient'"'"'s forehead, a pair of opposed EEG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s forehead, a pair of opposed EOG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s eyes, a pair of opposed EMG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s mouth, and a pair of reference electrodes for placement on the patient'"'"'s neck; and

an electrical connector electrically coupled with said electrodes by a plurality of lines of conductive ink deposited on said substrate between said electrical connector and said electrodes for delivering the physiological signals sensed by said electrodes to a recording/analyzing device.

2. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate presents a thickness of approximately 0.004-0.006 inches.

3. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conductive ink deposited on said substrate presents a thickness of approximately 0.0005 inches.

4. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, said substrate being formed of polyester material.

5. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, said conductive ink being a silver chloride ink.

6. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, including nine electrodes.

7. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 1, said substrate being configured for placement over the patient'"'"'s face.

8. A sensor mask for placement on a patient for monitoring physiological signals of the patient, said sensor mask comprising:

a flexible substrate including a plurality of spaced, enlarged regions interconnected by a plurality of relatively thin interconnecting strips;

a plurality of electrodes configured for placement against the patient for sensing the physiological signals, the electrodes including a centrally located ground electrode for positioning near a midpoint of the patient'"'"'s forehead, a pair of opposed EEG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s forehead, a pair of opposed EOG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s eyes, a pair of opposed EMG electrodes for placement on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s mouth, and a pair of reference electrodes for placement on the patient'"'"'s neck, the electrodes each comprising a patch of conductive ink deposited on one of said enlarged regions of said substrate;

a plurality of lines of conductive ink deposited on said interconnecting strips and connected with said electrodes; and

an electrical connector electrically coupled with said lines of conductive ink for delivering the physiological signals sensed by said electrodes to a recording/analyzing device.

9. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 8, said enlarged regions being circular in shape.

10. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 9, said enlarged regions each having a diameter of approximately 1/4"-1/2".

11. The sensor mask as set forth in claim 8, said interconnecting strips each being approximately 1/4"-1/2" in width and approximately 2"-3" in length.