US-12622621-B2 - Dry electrodes for electrophysiology measurement

Abstract

Apparatuses for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring are disclosed. One such apparatus includes a first side having an electrical contact; a second side opposing the first side and having an electrode disposed over the second side; and a layer disposed between the first side and the second side. The layer is adapted to remove moisture from a region around the electrode. The apparatus also has an electrode line in electrical contact with the electrode disposed over the layer on the first side and extending over the layer on the second side. The electrode line is electrically connected to the electrical contact.

Inventors

• JOZEF HUBERTUS GELISSEN
• Charlotte Kjellander
• Panditha Pradeep

Assignees

• NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230307

Priority Date

20220323

Claims (13)

1. 1 . An apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring, the apparatus comprising: a first side comprising an electrical contact; a second side opposing the first side, the second side comprising an electrode; a layer disposed between the first side and the second side and adapted to remove moisture from a region of the second side; an adhesive layer disposed over the layer and configured to affix the apparatus to a body of a user; and a conductive structure comprising a first portion, forming the electrode, and a second portion, forming an opposing electrical contact, the two portions integrally connected by an electrode lead line, wherein the conductive structure is wrapped around the layer such that the first portion is configured to contact skin, and such that the second portion of the conductive structure contacts the electrical contact, wherein the electrode lead line is disposed over the layer on the first side and extends over the layer on the second side so as to be wrapped around an outer edge of the layer, and wherein the opposing electrical contact of the conductive structure is electrically connected to a contacting portion of the electrical contact, such that the electrode lead line provides an electrical connection between the electrode and the opposing electrical contact.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer is configured to contact skin.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein openings exist in the electrode, the openings being adapted to allow the layer to contact the skin.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein an area of the layer configured to contact the skin has a greater magnitude than the electrode configured to contact the skin.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the layer comprises a biocompatible material.
6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the layer comprises an open cell foam material.
7. 7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises a groove adapted to remove moisture from a region around the electrode.
8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the groove provides a capillary action.
9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the groove comprises a valve.
10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second side is configured to contact skin.
11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the electrical contact comprises an area and the groove extends past a boundary of the area.
12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the groove is one of a plurality of grooves on the second side.
13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of grooves is in a pattern to facilitate removing of the moisture from the region around the electrode.

Description

BACKGROUND In the field of electrophysiology, electrodes are used to connect a measurement device with a biological body. These electrodes have an electrode that makes contact with the skin of a body on one side, and a snap on the opposing side for making an electrical connection to an instrument or measurement device used for electrophysiological measurements or monitoring, or both. One known electrode is a hydrogel electrode. Hydrogel electrodes are used for various electrophysiological measurements, such as electrocardiography (EKG) monitoring, connecting the patient to a patient monitor. Disposable hydrogel electrodes are also used for impedance measurements (for respiratory activity and stress), electromyography for muscle activity measurements and electroencephalography (EEG) for brain activity measurements. Known dry electrodes require a small amount of moisture (e.g., perspiration) in between the electrode and the skin for the electrode to function well. Unfortunately, too much moisture can build up between the electrode and the skin, especially when the electrode is worn for long term wear (e.g., three or more days). This excessive moisture can result in poor connection of the electrode to the skin, an addition of an undesired insulating water-contacting layer, detachment of the electrode from the skin, and colorization of skin. What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus for making contact to the skin for electrophysiological measurements and monitoring that at least the drawbacks of known electrodes described above. SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a first side comprising an electrical contact; a second side opposing the first side comprising an electrode disposed over the second side; and a layer disposed between the first side and the second side. The layer is adapted to remove moisture from a region around the electrode. The apparatus further comprises an electrode line in electrical contact with the electrode disposed over the layer on the first side and extending over the layer on the second side, wherein the electrode line is electrically connected to the electrical contact. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring is described. The apparatus comprises: a first side comprising an electrical contact; and a second side opposing the first side comprising an electrode disposed over the second side. The electrode comprises a groove adapted to remove moisture from a region around the electrode. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a first side comprising an electrical contact; a second side opposing the first side comprising an electrode disposed over the second side; a layer comprising a gap and being disposed between the first side and the second side, wherein the gap is adapted to remove moisture from a region beneath the electrical contact; and a plurality of electrically conductive spokes extending radially from an outer boundary of the electrical contact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The example embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Wherever applicable and practical, like reference numerals refer to like elements. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring according to a representative embodiment. FIG. 1B is top view of an electrode structure for use in an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring according to a representative embodiment. FIG. 1C is top view of an apparatus for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring according to a representative embodiment. FIGS. 2A-2D are top views of electrode structures for use in apparatuses for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring according to a representative embodiment. FIGS. 3A-3C are top views of electrodes, electrical contacts, electrode lines and layers adapted to remove moisture from a region around the electrode according to various representative embodiments. FIGS. 4A-4B are top views of electrodes for use in apparatuses for making electrical connections in electrophysiological measurements and monitoring according to a representative embodiment. FIG. 5A is a top view of an electrode and an adhesive layer for use in apparatuses for mak