CZ181694A3 - Electrolytic electrode for measuring skin resistance for acupuncture diagnostics - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrolyte electrode consisting of an internal insulating ring (2) with a hollow needle electrode (4) inserted therein and through which electrolyte (1) is introduced. Electrolyte gets into contact with skin surface (5) only within a range defined by inside diameter of the internal insulating ring (2) and fills successively internal space thereof up to the level of the hollow needle electrode (4). Pressure of the electrolyte electrode against skin is defined by the sum of the electrolyte column hydrostatic pressure and atmospheric pressure, and results from communication of the space above the electrolyte (1) and outer environment through the mediation of equalizing passages (6). Artificial increase of contact surface occurred due to electrolyte escape (1) is controlled by the electrode control system. This control system comprises an external electrically conducting ring (3) inserted on the internal insulating ring (2). Both the rings (2, 3) are at the same time in contact with the skin surface (5). The external electrically conducting ring (3) is connected with a control circuit (10) the second input of which is the hollow needle electrode (4). If an accidental escape of electrolyte occurs, the electrolyte (1) causes short circuit of the hollow needle electrode (4) and the external electrically conducting ring (3), which results in closing of the control circuit (10).

Description

Electrolyte electrode for measuring skin resistance to acupuncture diagnostics

Electrode designed for accurate measurement of electrical resistance, impedance and skin surface capacity, useful mainly in acupuncture diagnostics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In electrocardiography or electroencephalography, the determination of the transient resistance is a matter of verifying the maximum possible conductivity of the skin. A simple polarizable metal electrode is sufficient for its measurement due to tolerated inaccuracy. However, in acupuncture diagnostics, represented by the Voll electroacupuncture method, for example, there is a need to accurately measure electrical resistance or impedance, especially over reference acupuncture points of the distal limbs. For this purpose, the use of pencil metal electrodes of various materials, shapes and sizes, the common disadvantage of which is the non-reproducibility of the measured data due to the variable electrode pressure. The improved electrodes mostly use the principle of mechanical cushioning to achieve a constant down pressure, but they do not solve the problem of its inclination or movement. The problem of precise definability of the interface and the defined down pressure in each part and their invariance over time is fully applicable to all types of fixed electrodes, regardless of their design, size or method of application. lim is limited to their use only for detecting and stimulating acupuncture points, since they are not suitable for quantitative measurement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present solution of the electrolyte electrode solves the problem of pressure to the skin surface and its handling. The base is a high ring of electrically non-conductive material, the inside diameter of which defines a constant size of the electrode contact area. A longitudinally oriented hollow thick needle electrode made of a polarizable material (eg silver coated with AgCl) extends into its interior. However, its tip does not extend to the edge of the ring, so that some distance remains between the mouth of the blunt-ended needle electrode and the free edge of the ring that is against the skin. This distance defines the height of the electrolyte column, while its cross section is determined by the inner diameter of the ring. The inner needle electrode acts as a dispenser, since its lumen is connected to the electrolyte injector, as well as the electrode itself, since it mediates contact with the skin through the electrolyte. The electrolyte is a viscous aqueous solution such as carboxymethylcellulose and NaCl.

When the electrode ring is tightly applied to the skin surface, the electrolyte is instilled, the amount of which is approximately determined by the internal volume of the ring. The electrolyte comes into direct contact with the skin within the inner diameter range of the ring and gradually fills its inner space up to the level where the needle electrode extends. Resistance or impedance of the whole electrode is influenced only by the volume of electrolyte under the needle electrode and its contact surface with the skin, so that any small overfill of the electrode does not affect their electrical properties. In fact, the volume of liquid above the free edge of the inner needle electrode does not participate in the electrical circuit due to the low transition resistance between the metal polarizable needle electrode and the electrolyte. The specific electrode pressure is determined by the sum of the hydrostatic pressure of the electrolyte column, which is essentially negligible in size, and the atmospheric pressure resulting from the connection of the space above the liquid surface with the external environment. The perpendicular pressure exerted by the investigator on the electrode sheath is transmitted to the surrounding skin only by its ring, so that the contact pressure of the electrode measurement surface itself on the measured skin surface is not affected, since it is under atmospheric pressure control. The variable electrode pressure does not change the measurement result. Propagation of pressure on the measured skin surface towards the center of the ring is minimal due to the high elasticity of the skin.

Λ Variable electrode manipulations, however, can degrade measurements due to t leakage of electrolyte from the inner space of the ring due to smear when moving

J by an electrode in a direction parallel to the skin surface or by simply tilting the electrode, in which some of the circumference of the ring leaks sufficiently and the electrolyte flows freely. In both cases, the measuring contact surface would be artificially enlarged and thus the transient resistance of the whole electrode would be violated.

This deficiency is solved by a control system that will allow this artifact to be detected in time. It consists in an outer electrically conductive control ring mounted on said non-conductive ring. They both touch the skin surface. The external control ring is electrically connected to a signaling circuit, the second input of which is an internal needle electrode. In the event of accidental leakage, the electrolyte short-circuits the inside of the electrode with the outer control ring, thereby lowering the signaling circuit and informing the operator of a deteriorated measurement. The probability of trapping an artificial smear depends on the thickness of the inner non-conducting ring. The thinner it is, the higher the trapping accuracy, since it allows diagnosis of a smaller smear. The smear is only detectable when the electrolyte crosses the skin surface zone defined by the thickness of the inner ring. The higher viscosity of the electrolyte helps to adhere to the inner ring, which reduces the tendency for spontaneous fluid leakage when the electrode is tilted or when the electrode is transferred to another measured location.

Overview of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a detail of the filled electrolyte electrode with proper skin contact. Fig. 2 same detail after electrode tilt with electrolyte leakage and noticeable electrical connection of the inner needle electrode to the outer control ring (the thick arrows show the electrode pressure induced by the investigator applying, the broken arrow shows the atmospheric pressure on the liquid column inside the electrode). Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the dual function mode of the electrolyte electrode: measuring when the skin closes the circuit between its interior and the reference electrode, and the control - used before and after the measurement, when the circuit closes between the electrode interior and the outer control ring only of electrolyte. Fig. 4 shows an example of an realized electrolyte electrode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The electrode according to FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of an inner electrically non-conductive ring 2 having an inner diameter of 4 mm and a tightly clamped outer electrically conductive control ring 3, which is connected to the signaling circuit 10. The electrode is tightly applied to the skin surface 5, thereby prevents leakage of the electrolyte 1 from its interior. Below the electrolyte level 1 a hollow butt-tipped polarizable needle electrode 4 (Ag-AgCl) intervenes but is not in direct contact | with skin. This electrode 4 is optionally connected to a measuring circuit 11, similar to 1 the reference electrode 9, or is connected to the control circuit 10, similar to the outer control ring 3. Both rings 2 and 3 are firmly anchored in the base body 7 of a non-conductive material, e.g. plastic. The space above the electrolyte level communicates freely with the surrounding environment through buffer channels. A standard syringe & as the electrolyte reservoir 1 is mounted on the needle electrode cone 4.

After applying the electrode perpendicularly to the degreased and dry skin surface, the electrolyte is also instilled into the inner space of the ring up to the level of the inner needle electrode 4. The electrode is put into control mode 10. If no warning signal is emitted defined by the inner ring 2 and after switching to the second mode, by means of the measuring circuit 11 the value of resistance, impedance or capacity. The variable perpendicular thrust is thereby transmitted to rings 2 and 3 in the immediate vicinity of the surface to be measured, without directly affecting the measured values. By turning it back to the control mode, it is possible to check for possible leakage of electrolyte 1 during the measurement. In the case of signaling, the measurement was not valid and the whole procedure must be repeated.

To maintain the electrode, rinsing with water and introducing the mandrene into the inner needle electrode is sufficient to prevent clogging of dried electrolyte residues.

Method of Applicability of the Invention

The electrolyte electrode can be used for accurate measurement of skin surface resistance, impedance and capacity. It is particularly advantageous for measuring the start and end points of classical acupuncture pathways on the dorsal sides of the distal links of the fingers and toes.

Claims (2)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Electrolyte electrode for measuring the skin surface resistance, impedance and capacity at so-called acupuncture points, consisting of a thin, non-conductive ring (2) into which it intervenes but not yet touching the skin, a hollow polarizable electrode (4) simultaneously injecting electrolyte (1) into the inner space of the ring (2), characterized in that the space above the surface of the electrolyte (1) freely communicates with the external environment (6) to transfer the electrode pressure outside the measured surface so that the pressure depends only on the sum atmospheric pressure and electrostatic column hydrostatic pressure. An electrolyte electrode according to claim 1, provided with an electrolyte leak detection control system, characterized in that an outer control electrically conductive ring (3) is mounted around the inner thin non-conductive ring (2) so that both can touch the skin surface by an edge. (5) and to electrically insulate the interior of the electrolyte electrode from the external control electrically conductive ring (3).