EMG electrode

• US 6,047,202 A
• Filed: 04/14/1998
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vdi Acquisition Corp.
• Original Assignee: Paraspinal Diagnostic Corporation
• Inventors: Finneran, Raymond J., Finneran, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/059,782
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/383, 600/384, 600/388-390, 600/393, 600/394, 600/372, 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 for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals consists of a generally bolt-shaped structure having a circular signal-gathering head and an integral shaft for support purposes and for transmission of electrical signals. The head of the electrode is configured as a disc having a plurality of pyramids distributed substantially evenly over the signal gathering surface with the tips of the pyramids projecting outwardly of the head for contact with the skin of a patient. Preferably, the electrode consists entirely of 316L stainless steel, the pyramids are formed by grinding or electromachining and the shaft is threaded for receipt of a clamp nut. The electrode is adapted for mounting in a hole in a thin, flexible support member by means of the shaft to maintain spacing among adjacent electrodes and to assure proper contact with the patient.

Claims

1. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon;

a plurality of pyramids disposed on one side of said head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each pyramid includes a pointed tip at an apex of the pyramid;

said head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; and

said pointed tips being of substantially uniform elevation from said head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient.

2. The electrode as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pointed tips are arranged in a uniform array at one side of said head member and are substantially equally spaced from one another.

3. The electrode as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of the pyramids includes a substantially square base, wherein the pyramids are integral with the conductive head, and wherein the pyramids project outwardly from the head member.

4. The electrode as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pyramids are formed by grinding or electromachining said conductive head.

5. The electrode as set forth in claim 3 wherein said head member is a circular disc and is substantially planar.

6. The electrode as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a shaft integral with said head member for supporting said head member in patient-contacting position, said shaft being orthogonal to the plane of said head member.

7. The electrode as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shaft is electrically conductive to transmit signals from said head member, and is threaded to receive a nut for securing said electrode in an aperture of a support member.

8. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head and integral shaft orthogonal to the head;

a plurality of pointed members integral with and projecting outwardly of the head, wherein each of the pointed members terminates in a tip, wherein all of the tips lie substantially in a plane and equidistantly spaced outwardly of the head, and wherein the tips have a substantially uniform elevation from the head in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient;

the shaft being threaded to receive a nut for securing the electrode in an aperture of a support member.

9. The electrode as set forth in claim 8 wherein said head is in the shape of a disc and said tips are disposed in a substantially equally spaced array outwardly of said head.

10. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head and integral shaft orthogonal to said head;

a plurality of pyramids integral with and projecting outwardly of the head, wherein each of the pyramids terminates in a tip, wherein the pyramids have flat sides, joined at the apex of each pyramid to form the tips, wherein all of the tips lie substantially in a plane and equidistantly spaced outwardly of the head, and wherein the tips have a substantially uniform elevation from the head in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient;

the shaft adapted to receive a securing member for mounting the electrode and for transmitting electrical signals between the head and a remote utilization device.

11. The electrode as set forth in claim 10 wherein each said pyramid comprises a substantially square base and said pyramids are formed by machining of said head.

12. The electrode as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pyramids are formed by grinding of said head in a series of parallel and orthogonal passes.

13. The electrode as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pyramids are formed by electromachining.

14. An electrically conductive electrode for gathering electrical signals from the body surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive, generally bolt-shaped structure having a head portion and integral shaft portion extending generally orthogonal to said head, wherein said head is in the shape of a disc, wherein said head diameter is approximately 0.375 inch;

a plurality of pyramids integral with and projecting outwardly of the head portion, wherein each of the pyramids has a substantially square base and flat sides that intersect at an apex of each pyramid to form a tip, wherein all of the pyramid tips lie substantially in a plane and are disposed in a substantially equally spaced array, and wherein the pyramids are formed by machining the head portion, and wherein the head thickness including the pyramids is approximately 0.08 inch, wherein the pyramid altitude is approximately 0.042 inch, and wherein the tip radius is approximately 0.005 inch;

and wherein the shaft portion is adapted to receive a securing member enabling mounting the electrode and wherein the shaft portion transmits electrical signals from the head portion, whereby signals from the head portion may be received by a remote signal utilization device.

15. The electrode as set forth in claim 14 wherein said electrode is formed entirely of 316L stainless steel and said tip spacing is on the order of 0.094 inch.

16. The electrode as set forth in claim 15 wherein the number of said pyramids is on the order of 12.

17. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon, wherein the head member includes a integral shaft orthogonal to said head;

a plurality of projections disposed on one side of the head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each of the projections has a broad base tapering to a pointed apex;

the head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient;

the projections being of substantially uniform elevation from the head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient; and

the shaft being threaded to receive a nut for securing said electrode in an aperture of a support member.

18. An electrode for collecting surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a skin surface of a patient, comprising:

an electrically conductive head member having a patient-contact surface thereon;

a plurality of projections disposed on one side of the head member forming the patient-contact surface, wherein each of the projections has a broad base tapering to a pointed apex, wherein each projection has an apex radius of approximately 0.005 inch;

the head member being of a shape to conform to the skin surface of a patient; and

the projections being of substantially uniform elevation from the head member in order to uniformly contact the skin surface of the patient.