US3721246A - Applicator electrodes with a very thin non-metallic, current distributing layer - Google Patents

Applicator electrodes with a very thin non-metallic, current distributing layer Download PDF

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Publication number
US3721246A
US3721246A US00096893A US3721246DA US3721246A US 3721246 A US3721246 A US 3721246A US 00096893 A US00096893 A US 00096893A US 3721246D A US3721246D A US 3721246DA US 3721246 A US3721246 A US 3721246A
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United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
current distributing
current
conductive
skin
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00096893A
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English (en)
Inventor
D Landis
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Cablescan Inc
ABB Installation Products Inc
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Thomas and Betts Corp
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Assigned to CABLESCAN, INC. reassignment CABLESCAN, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NJ.
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/02—Details
    • A61N1/04—Electrodes
    • A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
    • A61N1/0472—Structure-related aspects
    • A61N1/0492—Patch electrodes

Definitions

  • the current distributing layer is [51 Ilit. Cl. ..A6lll 1/04 comprised preferably of conductive particles Field of Search-128396 172-1, 404, uniformly distributed in a nonconducting medium v 128/410, 411, 418, DIG- 4 such as resin or the like. Means are provided to couple I the electrode to an external electrical source and to [561' References Cited releasably' support said electrode adjacent a UNITED STATES PATENTS preselected area of the body.
  • the present invention overcomes the problems noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a simple, readily manufactured, uniquely coated, direct skin contacting electrode which is safer, less expensive and more efficient than such devices.
  • a generally uniformly disposed current distributing layer comprising preferably a matrix of conductive particles such as carbon in an electrically insulating material such as resin o'r'the like, the ratio of the volume of conductive particles to insulating material being selectively predetermined to provide a resistance through the thickness of thecurrent distributing layer substantially greater than the resistance of the skin area adjacent thereto.
  • a plurality of alternating adjacent conductive and semiconsurface of the layer may be selectively proportioned to define a preferably smooth contact area arranged to provide a predetermined current density therethrough.
  • Means are provided for releasably coupling the conductive portion of the electrode to an external electrical source.
  • Support means such as a strap or other suitable item may be effectively utilized to maintain the electrode in fixed positional relationship adjacent a preselected area of the skin, said electrode being either coupled thereto or externally supported thereby.
  • a plurality of such electrodes may be suitably arranged in adjacent spaced relationship on a support member to provide a multiple of selectable, discrete contact elements, electrically connectable either in series or in parallel.
  • the electrode may be effectively implanted directly within the body tissue, where appropriate. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved electrode.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a manner in which an electrical signal maybe coupled from an external electrical device to the, body through an improved body contacting electrode constructed in ac cordance with the concepts of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the body contacting electrode of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the electrode of FIG. 1 in intimate contact with a preselected area of the body.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the electrode and body portion of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an electrodeconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of three electrodes constructed in accordance'with the concepts of the invention and coupled to a common supporting strap.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an electrode constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, of an electrode constructed in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. l and 2 there is shown a body contacting electrode constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
  • a current distributing layer 26 Adjacent the enlarged end 24 of the conductive portion 22 of electrode 20 and in intimate contact therewith is a current distributing layer 26, having a selectively predetermined resistance and comprising preferably a dispersion of conductive particles such as carbon or the like, in a nonconducting plastic medium such as epoxy or other insulating material, forming a relatively sold film-like coating as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the exposed outer surface 28 of layer 26 comprises the body contacting portion of electrode 20 and is arranged to be disposed in direct intimate contact with the skin surface for purposes more fully described below.
  • Conductive 22 of electrode 20 extends rearwardly from its enlarged end 24 defining a protrusion 30 adapted to receive thereon a conductive cap 32.
  • Cap 32 serves to secure the electrode 20 to a nonconducting support member such as strap 34 to permit electrode 20 to be conveniently positionably retained adjacent a preselected area of the body such as the wrist 36, as is more clearly seen in FIG. 1.
  • Cap 32 may be appropriately contoured, as shown, to accept thereon a complementarily formed mating connecting member (not shown) to releasably electrically couple electrode 2% to an external electrical source such as 38, by means of an intermediate conductor 40.
  • the protruding end 30 of electrode 20 may be appropriately apertured or slotted to provide a receiving passage for the bared end of a conductor such as 40 which may then be either crimped or soldered to the conductive portion 22.
  • the protruding I end 30 may be modified to define either a male or female connector member adapted to matingly receive a complementary coupling member, thereby providing a convenient releasable coupling therebetween.
  • the button-like configuration .of electrode 20 may be suitably modified, as shown in H6.
  • Electrode 20 may be further modified, where necessary or desirable, to define a substantially spherical electrode 72 having an internal conductive portion '74 suitably encapsulated within an outer current distributing portion 76 and coupled to an insulated electrical conductor 78.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown an embodiment of dual-element electrode 80 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.
  • a current distributing portion 84 characteristically similar to portion 26 of electrode 20 of FIG. 2.
  • an associated electrical conductor 86, 86' is coupled to, and extending outwardly from each con ductive portion 82, 82', each arranged to provide an electrical coupling between said electrode 80 and an external electrical source in a manner similar to that described above with respect to electrode 20 of FIG. 1.
  • electrode 80 may be effectively employed to directly couple more than one external electrical source to a preselected body area whereit is necessary or desirable to insure a common environment adjacent the elemental portions of electrode 80.
  • the spacing between conductive portions 82, 82' may be selectively arranged to permit either partial or substantially total isolation therebetween, depending primarily upon the thickness of current distributing material 88 disposed between said conductive portions 82, 82.
  • FIG. 3 where there is shown the electrode 20, the outer surface 28 of the current distributing layer 26 thereof being disposed in intimate contact with the surface of a portion of the skin 46.
  • the apertures 48 shown extending from beneath the skin 46 and terminating in openings 50 at the surface thereof represent pores generally visible at the surface of said skin, the resistance between that area of skin immediately adjacent the pore openings 50 and the adjacent internal body portion 52 being considerably lower than the resistance as measured through the adjacent thickness of the skin 46.
  • the lower resistance of the pores S8 is generally recognized as resulting from the existence of body fluid within the pores 48, such fluid being relatively highly conductive as compared with the adjacent skin portion 46.
  • layer 26 is formed from essentially isotropic material, it tends to exhibit the properties of an anisotropic material as a result of the relative proportions of material thickness and conductive particle density employed in the formation of such layer.
  • the button-type electrode shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be suitably proportioned to have a current distributing layer thickness in the order of from one-thousandth to ten thousandths of an inch.
  • a current path normal to the plane of layer 26 is substantially shorter than an obliquely oriented current path originating at a given point on the inner surface of layer 26 spaced from the axis of the normal current path and terminating at the same point on the outer surface of layer 26.
  • the resistance of the respective current paths will be proportional to their respective lengths, and, in the case of a thin layer such as 26, current flow will tend to be directed predominantly normal to the plane of layer 26 rather than in oblique angular relationship thereto, due to the increased difference in resistance between such paths, thereby simulating an anisotropic effect and resulting in a substantially even current distribution over the outer surface of layer 26.
  • the current distributing layer 26 of electrode 20 may be represented by a plurality of interconnected parallel resistances 56 having an effective resistance R.
  • the pores 48 may be represented by a plurality of narrow, elongated spaced conductive paths 58, separated by relatively high resistance regions 60, schematically representative of the skin regions 46, and extending between the adjacent common juncture 64 of resistances 56 and the representative conductive body portion 62.
  • the effective resistance of the parallel combination of the representative skin-pore region is indicated as R and that of the underlying body region 62 as R
  • the resistance R is selectively proportioned to have a predetermined value substantially greater than R
  • the interconnected parallel resistances 56 are of substantially equal value, as a result of the generally homogeneous characteristic of current distributing layer 26, and, as may be readily shown by well-known electrical principles, each will have a value substantially greater than the total effective parallel resistance R and consequently, a value substantially greater than R
  • the source current I is caused to be distributed generally evenly through each of the discrete parallel resistances 56, resulting in an essentially even distribution of current over the area defined by the contacting surface of the common juncture 64 of resistances 56 at a plurality of individual points such as 66 adjacent the skin.
  • the thickness of the current distributing layer 26 may be efficiently, practically and economically maintained within a preferable range of from one to ten thousandths of an inch, although other thicknesses may be effectively employed where necessary or desirable to obtain particular physical or electrical characteristics, according to the concepts of the invention. It has also been found that a ratio of volume of conductive particles to insulating material of from 1 per cent to 25 per cent will provide a current distributing layer resistance adequate for the purposes set forth herein.
  • each electrode 20 may be individually connected to asingle external electrical source to proportionately reduce the amount of current required to be transferred and distributed by each such electrode 20.
  • each electrode 20 may be appropriately coupled to a discrete external source to provide a plurality of individually selective independent contact areas, within the concepts disclosed herein.
  • Either'one or more electrodes 20 may be conveniently disposed on a single insulated support member such as strap 34 (see FIG. 6) to effect the releasable positional retention of said electrodes adjacent a preselected area of the body.
  • An electrode for coupling an electrical signal to a body through the skin comprising: at least one conductive portion; at least one current distributing portion adjacent said conductive portion and having a first surface in intimate contact with said conductive portion to provide an equipotential surface at the juncture therebetween; and means for coupling said conductive portion to an external electrical source; said current distributing portion having a second surface arranged to be disposed directly adjacent the skin, to isolate said conductive portion therefrom; said current distributing portion comprising a plurality of conductive particles generally uniformly dispersed in an insulating medium of from one thousandth to ten thousandths of an inch,
  • said conductive particles comprising an aggregate volume in the range of from one per cent to twenty-five per cent of the aggregate volume of said current distributing portion, to provide a generally uniform transverse resistance throughout the thickness of said current distributing portion, whereby electrical current passing between said first and said second current distributing portion surfaces is caused to be substantially uniformly dispersed thereover.
  • An electrode as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for releasably supporting said electrode in position adjacent a preselected area of the skin.
  • An electrode for coupling an electrical signal to a body through the skin comprising: a first conductive portion; a second conductive portion adjacent said first conductive portion and spaced therefrom; a current distributing portion surrounding said first and said second conductive portions and having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface of said current distributing portion being disposed in intimate contact with said first and said second conductive portions to provide an equipotential surface at the junctures therebetween, said second surface of said current distributing portion being arranged to be disposed directly adjacent the skin; and means for coupling said first and said second conductive portions to an external electrical source; said current distributing portion comprising a plurality of conductive particles generally uniformly dispersed in an insulating medium and having a generally uniform thickness in the range of from one thousandth to ten thousandths of an inch, said conductive particles comprising an aggregate volume in the range of from 1 per cent to 25 per cent of the aggregate volume of said current distributing portion, to provide a generally uniform transverse resistance throughout the thickness of said current distributing portion

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
  • Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
  • Thermistors And Varistors (AREA)
US00096893A 1970-12-10 1970-12-10 Applicator electrodes with a very thin non-metallic, current distributing layer Expired - Lifetime US3721246A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US9689370A 1970-12-10 1970-12-10

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US3721246A true US3721246A (en) 1973-03-20

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US00096893A Expired - Lifetime US3721246A (en) 1970-12-10 1970-12-10 Applicator electrodes with a very thin non-metallic, current distributing layer

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US (1) US3721246A (enExample)
BE (1) BE794361A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2263727C3 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2213781B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1386023A (enExample)
NL (1) NL7217422A (enExample)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3826246A (en) * 1973-03-07 1974-07-30 Esb Inc Apparatus for sensing physiological potentials
US3886953A (en) * 1974-05-09 1975-06-03 John W Pope Electronic smoking inhibiting device
US3976055A (en) * 1973-12-17 1976-08-24 Ndm Corporation Electrode and conductor therefor
US3994302A (en) * 1975-08-14 1976-11-30 Medtronic, Inc. Stimulation electrode of ion-exchange material
US4067342A (en) * 1976-04-06 1978-01-10 Medtronic, Inc. Tape electrode
US4106513A (en) * 1976-02-17 1978-08-15 Tzeng J C Device and method for three point electro therapy
EP0058920A1 (en) * 1981-02-23 1982-09-01 Motion Control, Inc. Bioelectrode
US4354508A (en) * 1980-08-18 1982-10-19 Vaughn Corporation Electrode
US4745918A (en) * 1985-12-16 1988-05-24 Peter Feucht Neutral electrode and terminal clamp therefor
US4776350A (en) * 1986-01-07 1988-10-11 Physio-Control Corporation External electrode for heart stimulation and connector therefor
DE3713481A1 (de) * 1987-04-15 1988-11-10 Scovill Japan Elektrodensensor
US4926879A (en) * 1988-06-13 1990-05-22 Sevrain-Tech, Inc. Electro-tactile stimulator
US4955381A (en) * 1988-08-26 1990-09-11 Cardiotronics, Inc. Multi-pad, multi-function electrode
US5080099A (en) * 1988-08-26 1992-01-14 Cardiotronics, Inc. Multi-pad, multi-function electrode
US5605116A (en) * 1994-09-01 1997-02-25 D.T. Systems, Inc. Electronic animal training system
US5614246A (en) * 1994-11-10 1997-03-25 Pacesetter Ab Method for manufacturing a sensor electrode
WO2003070319A3 (en) * 2002-02-25 2003-11-27 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Squeezable electrode assembly

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6055966A (ja) * 1983-09-05 1985-04-01 オリンパス光学工業株式会社 医用電極装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2842136A (en) * 1956-11-26 1958-07-08 Relaxacizor Inc Means for toning muscles and connective tissues
US3566860A (en) * 1968-12-20 1971-03-02 United Aircraft Corp Carbon-impregnated body electrode

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3025858A (en) * 1956-10-19 1962-03-20 Relaxacizor Inc Ambulatory electrical muscle stimulating device
US3500823A (en) * 1967-11-20 1970-03-17 Us Air Force Electrocardiographic and bioelectric capacitive electrode

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2842136A (en) * 1956-11-26 1958-07-08 Relaxacizor Inc Means for toning muscles and connective tissues
US3566860A (en) * 1968-12-20 1971-03-02 United Aircraft Corp Carbon-impregnated body electrode

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3826246A (en) * 1973-03-07 1974-07-30 Esb Inc Apparatus for sensing physiological potentials
US3976055A (en) * 1973-12-17 1976-08-24 Ndm Corporation Electrode and conductor therefor
US3886953A (en) * 1974-05-09 1975-06-03 John W Pope Electronic smoking inhibiting device
US3994302A (en) * 1975-08-14 1976-11-30 Medtronic, Inc. Stimulation electrode of ion-exchange material
US4106513A (en) * 1976-02-17 1978-08-15 Tzeng J C Device and method for three point electro therapy
US4067342A (en) * 1976-04-06 1978-01-10 Medtronic, Inc. Tape electrode
US4354508A (en) * 1980-08-18 1982-10-19 Vaughn Corporation Electrode
EP0058920A1 (en) * 1981-02-23 1982-09-01 Motion Control, Inc. Bioelectrode
US4745918A (en) * 1985-12-16 1988-05-24 Peter Feucht Neutral electrode and terminal clamp therefor
US4776350A (en) * 1986-01-07 1988-10-11 Physio-Control Corporation External electrode for heart stimulation and connector therefor
DE3713481A1 (de) * 1987-04-15 1988-11-10 Scovill Japan Elektrodensensor
US4926879A (en) * 1988-06-13 1990-05-22 Sevrain-Tech, Inc. Electro-tactile stimulator
US4955381A (en) * 1988-08-26 1990-09-11 Cardiotronics, Inc. Multi-pad, multi-function electrode
US5080099A (en) * 1988-08-26 1992-01-14 Cardiotronics, Inc. Multi-pad, multi-function electrode
US5605116A (en) * 1994-09-01 1997-02-25 D.T. Systems, Inc. Electronic animal training system
US5614246A (en) * 1994-11-10 1997-03-25 Pacesetter Ab Method for manufacturing a sensor electrode
WO2003070319A3 (en) * 2002-02-25 2003-11-27 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Squeezable electrode assembly
CN1638837B (zh) * 2002-02-25 2011-06-08 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 可挤压的电极组件

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2263727B2 (de) 1978-09-21
FR2213781B1 (enExample) 1976-05-14
DE2263727A1 (de) 1974-07-11
GB1386023A (en) 1975-03-05
NL7217422A (enExample) 1974-06-24
BE794361A (fr) 1973-07-23
DE2263727C3 (de) 1979-06-13
FR2213781A1 (enExample) 1974-08-09

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Owner name: CABLESCAN, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NJ.;REEL/FRAME:003948/0437

Effective date: 19811201

Owner name: CABLESCAN, INC., A CORP. OF CA., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NJ.;REEL/FRAME:003948/0437

Effective date: 19811201

Owner name: CABLESCAN, INC., 145 EAST EMERSON AVE., ORANGE, CA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NJ.;REEL/FRAME:003948/0437

Effective date: 19811201