GB1587817A

GB1587817A - Electrodes

Info

Publication number: GB1587817A
Application number: GB28991/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MEDICAL INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: MEDICAL INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1977-10-12
Filing date: 1977-10-12
Publication date: 1981-04-08

Description

(54) ELECTRODES (71) We, MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED, a British Company of 11, North Hill, Colchester, Essex, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to plate electrodes, and has as an object the provision of plate electrodes in an improved form.

The term "plate electrode" as used here is intended to denote an electrode consisting of a non-conductive substrate material which bears receptor regions of conductive material, said receptor regions being connected via conductive strips to a clamping region where the strips may be clamped to an electric socket assembly. Such plate electrodes are used for monitoring the condition of the patient, e.g. during surgery under an anaesthetic by an oscilloscope connected by electrical leads, the socket assembly, the clamp region, and the conduc tive strips, to the receptor regions.

The present invention provides a plate electrode as hereinbefore defined in which the conductive strips extend side by side along an edge region of the non-conductive substrate material, and a slit or gap is formed between the edge region and the part of the non-conductive material having the receptor regions, the non-conductive material and strips being flexible.

In use, the edge region may be swung independently of the remainder of the elec trode to project in one of a wide choice of directions. For example, if the electrode is positioned, as is usual, under the patient between the shoulders and the lumbar region and the surgeon is performing an abdominal operation, the edge region may be swung in a superior direction so that the leads run well away from the surgical site.

On the other hand, if the surgeon is operating on the chest or head, the edge region may be swung in an inferior direction with like advantage.

The non conductive material is advantageously a flexible synthetic resinous sheeting having a good resistance to cracking when folded sharply back on itself. In the production of the electrode, the preferred procedure is to adopt the techniques used in printed circuit manufacture. For example a laminate of the non-conductive material and metal foil, e.g. aluminium foil, is subjected to an etching process to divide the foil into metallic receptors joined, as required, to conductive strips. Processes in which conductive material is deposited on the nonconductive material may also be employed.

The following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings is given in order to illustrate the invention but without limiting the scope thereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a preferred electrode in plan, Figure 2 is a cross section taken at II --- II of Figure 1, Figures 3 and 4 show the electrode of Figure 1 with the edge region thereof folded to extend in different directions.

The electrode of Figure 1 is formed of a rectangular sheet l of colourless transparent plasticlsed polyvinyl chloride 0.003 inch in thickness laminated with aluminium foil of 0.001 inch thickness and etched to provide the lay-out shown. The sheet 1 is formed with a slit 2 extending parallel with sides 3 and 4 and terminating in a hole 5 for the prevention of tearing.

Slit 2 divides-off an edge region 60 which bears strips 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the foil. These strips communicate with, and are integral with, receptor areas 10, 11, 12 and 13 arranged as shown. The receptor areas are conventional.

In the art the receptor areas are termed as follows: 10 - Left arm, 11 - Right arm, 12 - Right leg, 13 - Left leg.

Strips 6, 7, 8 and 9 have, near their ends, holes fitted with metal studs 20, 21, 22 and 23 for engagement with a four lead socket (not shown) of electrocardiographic apparatus.

Edge region may be moved freely, with the sheet material 1 in the corner region 62 folding or flexing as necessary and with hole 5 acting somewhat in the manner of a hinge.

In Figures 3 and 4 the sheet electrode is folded back on itself; the conductive parts are outermost and are not therefore interconnected.

It will be understood that various modifications, such as will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made from the specific embodiment described, all within the scope of the invention claimed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A plate electrode, as hereinbefore defined, in which the conductive strips extend side by side along an edge region of the non-conductive material, and a slit or gap is formed between the edge region and the part of the non-conductive material having the receptor regions, the nonconductive material and strips being flexible.

2. An electrode according to Claim 1 in which the non-conductive material is a flexible synthetic resinous sheeting.

3. An electrode according to either of Claims 1 or 2 in which the conductive material is metal foil.

4. An electrode according to Claim 3 in which the metal foil is aluminium foil.

5. An electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the conductive receptor regions and conductive strips are produced by etching a laminate of the non-conductive material and a metal foil.

6. An electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the conductive strips are fitted, at their ends, with metal studs.

7. A plate electrode according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A plate electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 when connected in operative association with an electrocardiograph.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

In the art the receptor areas are termed as follows:

10 - Left arm,

11 - Right arm,

12 - Right leg,

13 - Left leg.

Strips 6, 7, 8 and 9 have, near their ends, holes fitted with metal studs 20, 21, 22 and 23 for engagement with a four lead socket (not shown) of electrocardiographic apparatus.

Edge region may be moved freely, with the sheet material 1 in the corner region 62 folding or flexing as necessary and with hole 5 acting somewhat in the manner of a hinge.

In Figures 3 and 4 the sheet electrode is folded back on itself; the conductive parts are outermost and are not therefore interconnected.

It will be understood that various modifications, such as will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made from the specific embodiment described, all within the scope of the invention claimed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A plate electrode, as hereinbefore defined, in which the conductive strips extend side by side along an edge region of the non-conductive material, and a slit or gap is formed between the edge region and the part of the non-conductive material having the receptor regions, the nonconductive material and strips being flexible.
2. An electrode according to Claim 1 in which the non-conductive material is a flexible synthetic resinous sheeting.
3. An electrode according to either of Claims 1 or 2 in which the conductive material is metal foil.
4. An electrode according to Claim 3 in which the metal foil is aluminium foil.
5. An electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the conductive receptor regions and conductive strips are produced by etching a laminate of the non-conductive material and a metal foil.
6. An electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the conductive strips are fitted, at their ends, with metal studs.
7. A plate electrode according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A plate electrode according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 when connected in operative association with an electrocardiograph.