阅读说明：本技术 用于ecg和除颤电路的单独印刷迹线 (Separate printed traces for ECG and defibrillation circuits ) 是由 杰西卡·斯奈德 于 2019-08-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种具有除颤电路和单独的ECG跟踪电路的电极垫。所述电极垫包括泡沫基层、第一导电层和第二导电层以及水凝胶层。所述泡沫基层具有第一侧,并且所述第一导电层居中定位在所述基层上。所述第一导电层具有被配置为提供除颤电流的第一电路。所述第二导电层至少部分地围绕所述基层的所述第一侧上的所述第一导电层延伸。所述第二导电层具有被配置为接收电信号的单独的第二电路。所述水凝胶层覆盖所述基层的所述第一侧上的所述第一导电层和所述第二导电层。所述电极垫另外包括附接到所述第一导电层和所述第二导电层的电连接器。所述电连接器被配置为向所述第一导电层和所述第二导电层提供电压。(An electrode pad having a defibrillation circuit and a separate ECG tracking circuit. The electrode pad includes a foam base layer, first and second conductive layers, and a hydrogel layer. The foam base layer has a first side, and the first electrically conductive layer is centrally located on the base layer. The first conductive layer has a first circuit configured to provide a defibrillation current. The second conductive layer extends at least partially around the first conductive layer on the first side of the base layer. The second conductive layer has a separate second circuit configured to receive an electrical signal. The hydrogel layer covers the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer. The electrode pad additionally includes an electrical connector attached to the first and second conductive layers. The electrical connector is configured to provide a voltage to the first and second conductive layers.)

1. An electrode pad, comprising:

a base layer comprising a first side;

a first conductive layer centrally positioned on the base layer;

a second conductive layer extending at least partially around the first conductive layer on the base layer; and

a hydrogel layer covering the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer.

2. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a first circuit and the second conductive layer comprises a separate second circuit.

3. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein the first side of the base layer comprises a surface area greater than a surface area of each of the first and second electrically conductive layers.

4. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive layers are comprised of conductive ink.

5. The electrode pad of claim 3, wherein the conductive ink of the first conductive layer is more conductive than the conductive ink of the second conductive layer.

6. The electrode pad of claim 3, wherein said conductive ink is printed on said base layer.

7. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein said second conductive layer comprises an ionizing surface.

8. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the hydrogel layer extending over the first conductive layer has a first set of properties, and a second portion of the hydrogel layer extending over the second conductive layer has a second set of properties different from the first set.

9. The electrode pad of claim 1, wherein the base layer is comprised of a foam material.

10. The electrode pad according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is composed of silver chloride.

11. An electrode pad, comprising:

a foam base layer comprising a first side;

a first conductive layer comprising a first circuit centrally positioned on the base layer;

wherein the first conductive layer is configured to provide a defibrillation current;

a second conductive layer comprising individual second circuitry extending at least partially around the first conductive layer on the first side of the base layer;

wherein the second conductive layer is configured to receive an electrical signal;

a hydrogel layer covering the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer.

12. The electrode pad of claim 10, wherein when a first voltage is provided to the first conductive layer, the first voltage is configured to be separated from a voltage provided to the second conductive layer.

13. An electrode pad, comprising:

a foam base layer comprising a first side;

a first conductive layer comprising a first circuit centrally positioned on the base layer;

a second conductive layer comprising individual second circuitry extending at least partially around the first conductive layer on the first side of the base layer;

a hydrogel layer covering the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer; and

an electrical connector attached to the first and second conductive layers, the electrical connector configured to provide a voltage to the first and second conductive layers.

14. The electrode pad of claim 12, wherein the electrical connector comprises ends connected to the first and second conductive layers and a free end configured to be connected to a voltage source.

1.Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to medical devices and more particularly to an electrode pad having a defibrillation circuit and a separate ECG tracking circuit, each circuit being constructed of conductive ink.

2.Description of the related Art

Biomedical electrodes are commonly used for electrocardiographic and similar diagnostic procedures as well as for long-term monitoring, where the patient must be electrically connected to a testing or monitoring device. Such electrodes are typically composed of three different layers: a conductive surface layer, the conductive surface layer being about one square inch; an insulator on one side of the conductive surface layer, having a pattern imprinted thereon; and a medical gel disposed on the other side of the conductive surface layer. Medical gels are used to anchor the electrodes to the skin of a patient. The conductive surface layer may be a metal layer or even a conductive ink.

In use, the lead of an ECG (or similar device) typically includes clips or the like at its ends which are attached to dedicated connection portions or projections of the electrodes. Such a connection may be shaped as a mitten (thumb print-semicircle) or fish tail and may be positioned where there is no medical gel. Due to the relatively large size (and weight) of the lead compared to the electrode, coupled with the inherent tendency of the lead to wrap around, tension is often applied to the electrode, which may peel the electrode away from the skin, since medical gel is only a slightly weaker adhesive. Due to the patient's movement, tension is often created as a result of both the intended movement and the unintended movement. In addition to complete stripping, the force may only interfere with or partially strip the electrode from the skin, leading to signal distortion (e.g., noise or artifacts) and unusable results. In any case, time and effort are wasted. Furthermore, once the electrode is stripped or partially stripped, it may not be properly re-anchored, and therefore a new electrode must be used.

A multifunctional electrode (MFE) pad is a particular type of biomedical electrode that is widely used in the treatment and diagnosis of heart disease. Healthcare professionals and other emergency personnel use MFE pads to monitor electrical potentials during heartbeats, provide high-energy electrical stimulation for defibrillation, and provide lower-level electrical stimulation for pacing. Prior to the development of such pads, care providers required the application of multiple types of pads, and perhaps other means (i.e., paddles) to deliver current to the patient. It is not inconceivable that the use of multiple electrodes and other devices in an emergency situation could lead to potential errors and further injuries.

The creation of a true MFE mat requires the designer to balance many factors, the most important of which is price, since the mat is only disposable. Modern MFE pads must be able to deliver short bursts of significant electrical energy while being able to dissipate this energy quickly so that monitoring is not affected. However, in most biomedical electrodes (and MFE pads), the ECG trace and defibrillation current are part of one circuit. Thus, the ECG traces can be affected by the high voltages and currents used for defibrillation.

Thus, there is a need for a biomedical electrode having separate circuits for ECG tracing and defibrillation.

Description of disclaimers in the related art section: to the extent that specific patents/publications/products are discussed above in the related art section or elsewhere in this disclosure, such discussion is not to be taken as an admission that the discussed patents/publications/products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents/publications/products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter that has developed sufficiently early in time, and/or may not be sufficient to implement prior art techniques equivalent to the objectives of the patent laws. To the extent that the specific patents/publications/products described above in the related art section and/or discussed throughout the application, the descriptions/publications thereof are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a defibrillation pad or electrode having a defibrillation circuit and a separate ECG tracking circuit, each circuit being formed of conductive ink. According to one aspect, the present invention is an electrode pad. The electrode pad includes four layers, namely, a base layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a hydrogel layer. The base layer has a first side, and the first conductive layer is centrally positioned on the base layer. The second conductive layer extends at least partially around the first conductive layer on the first side of the base layer. The hydrogel layer covers the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer.

According to another aspect, an electrode pad includes a foam base layer having a first side. The electrode pad also includes a first conductive layer having a first circuit centrally positioned on the base layer, and the first conductive layer is configured to provide a defibrillation current. The electrode pad further includes a second conductive layer having a separate second circuit extending at least partially around the first conductive layer on the base layer. The second conductive layer is configured to receive an electrical signal. The electrode pad further includes a hydrogel layer covering the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer.

According to yet another aspect, an electrode pad includes a foam base layer having a first side. The electrode pad further includes: a first conductive layer having a first circuit centrally positioned on a base layer; a second conductive layer having individual second circuits extending at least partially around the first conductive layer on the base layer; and a hydrogel layer covering the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer. The electrode pad additionally includes an electrical connector attached to the first and second conductive layers. The electrical connector is configured to provide a voltage to the first and second conductive layers.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an electrode pad according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the invention and certain features, advantages and details thereof are explained more fully hereinafter with reference to the non-limiting examples that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or arrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the basic inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a first side schematic view of a biomedical electrode 10 according to one embodiment. In fig. 1, the biomedical electrode 10 is a flexible electrode pad (used interchangeably herein with "defibrillation pad"). The electrode pad 10 is configured to provide an electrical connection or path for electrical energy through the electrode pad 10 to a suitable surface, such as the skin surface of a patient. Even though this is an electrical path taken for the sake of reader clarity, it is well understood that the electrode pads 10 are bi-directional in electrical energy. For example, the electrode pad 10, which serves as an anode (positive current into the patient), may also be used to receive electrical signals from a source of bioenergy within the patient.

In the depicted embodiment, the electrode pad 10 is composed of multiple layers of materials to affect the transfer of electrical energy between the electrical device and the patient. As shown in fig. 1, the electrode pad 10 generally includes a base layer 12, a first conductive ("defibrillation") layer 14, a second conductive ("ECG trace") layer 16, and a hydrogel layer 18. The base layer 12 is constructed of a foam material. The foam material comprises any suitable carrier material, such as polyethylene. As shown in fig. 1, the base layer 12 includes a maximum surface area as compared to each of the remaining layers 14, 16, 18 of the electrode pad 10. The foamed base layer 12 is specifically sized to cover the conductive layers 14, 16 and the hydrogel layer 18. The increased size allows the foam base layer 12 to extend beyond the perimeter of the remaining layers 14, 16, 18 to insulate and protect the conductive layers 14, 16 and the hydrogel layer 18, while adding additional adhesive capacity around the perimeter of the electrode pad 10.

The first conductive layer 14 is a defibrillation layer. The purpose of the first conductive layer 14 is therefore to provide a defibrillation current to the patient. In one embodiment, first conductive layer 14 is comprised of highly conductive ink 20. The highly conductive ink 20 may be comprised of silver chloride or other ink compositions (as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure). If desired, the highly conductive ink 20 may be applied or printed over the entire surface (i.e., large surface area) or in a pattern on the base layer 12. In a preferred embodiment, highly conductive ink 20 is printed over a large surface area of base layer 12 to optimize the defibrillation energy provided. Printing the first conductive layer 14 directly onto the foam base layer 12 simplifies the process steps and reduces additional material layers, thereby further simplifying assembly of the electrode pad 10.

As described above, the electrode pad 10 additionally includes the second conductive layer 16. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, second conductive layer 16 is a separate ECG trace layer. The ECG trace layer 16 is separate from the defibrillation layer 14 so that ECG monitoring of the patient can be achieved when a defibrillation current is applied to the patient. In one embodiment, the second conductive layer 16 is comprised of a conductive ink. However, according to one embodiment, second conductive layer 16 is comprised of an ink that is less conductive than the conductive ink that comprises first conductive layer 14. One purpose of the less conductive ink is that the defibrillation energy will take the path of least resistance (large, highly conductive surface) and not through the low conductive ECG circuit, thus reducing the defibrillation recovery time to obtain the post-defibrillation ECG trace. The second conductive layer 16 is similarly applied or printed directly onto the foam base layer 12 to simplify the process steps and minimize the number of layers of material making up the electrode pad 10. If desired, the second conductive layer 16 includes an ionizing surface, such as a chloride surface, to aid in rapid defibrillation recovery of the hydrogel layer 18.

As shown in fig. 1 and described above, the electrode pad 10 includes a hydrogel layer 18. In one embodiment, the hydrogel layer 18 is comprised of an electrically conductive gel. The conductive gel helps to ensure contact between the conductive layers 14, 16 and the patient's body. The function of a hydrogel is to moisturize the skin of a patient, making it more receptive to the flow of electrical energy. The physical properties of the hydrogel also help ensure contact over the entire surface of the exposed gel to distribute the energy delivered. In addition, the hydrogel layer 18 acts as an adhesive that helps to ensure that distributed contact with the patient is maintained. The hydrogel layer 18 may be poured into place over the first and second conductive layers 14, 16 and cured or cast onto the first and second conductive layers 14, 16. The hydrogel layer 18 may have separate properties for the portion extending over the first conductive layer 14 and the portion extending over the second conductive layer 16 (defibrillation traces), or the hydrogel may be homogeneous throughout the hydrogel layer 18.

Still referring to fig. 1, the electrode pad 10 further includes a wire set connector 22. In the depicted embodiment, the cord set connector 22 is connected to and extends outwardly from the electrode pad 10. At one end 24, the wire set connector 22 is electrically connected toward the center of the first conductive (defibrillation) layer 14. The cordset connector 22 is also connected to the second conductive (ECG trace) layer 16. The other free end 26 of the wire set connector 22 extends from the electrode pad 10 and is configured to be connected to a power (i.e., voltage) source (or other electrical device). Thus, the cord set connector 22 provides voltage to and from the first and second conductive layers 14, 16.

Separating the second conductive (ECG trace) layer 16 from the first conductive (defibrillation) layer 14 has two effects on the electrode pad 10. In particular, if the defibrillation current (from the first conductive layer 14) can be focused to the center of the electrode pad 10, with the separate trace (of the second conductive layer 16) being branched for ECG monitoring, the hydrogel layer 18 on the second conductive (ECG trace) layer 16 will not see high voltage and high current. In this way, the hydrogel layer 18 will not polarize or have limited polarization on the individual ECG traces (layer 16). There may be a delay in the ability of the hydrogel layer 18 to transition back to the defibrillator or monitor ECG traces when the hydrogel layer 18 is polarized due to high voltage and high current. Thus, by separating the conductive layers 14, 16, the hydrogel layer 18 on the second conductive (ECG trace) layer 16 will not experience high voltages and high currents, and the delay between defibrillation and ECG tracing reconstruction is reduced. In addition, maintaining a separate second conductive layer 16 for ECG tracking allows the electrode pads 18 to provide clearer ECG traces, as the ECG traces are less likely to be affected by the high voltages and currents used for defibrillation.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprises" (and any form of "comprising", such as "comprises" and "comprising)", "has" (and "has)", such as "has" and "has)", "contains" (and any form of "containing", such as "comprises" and "containing)", and "contains" (and "contains" and any form of "containing", such as "contains" and "contains" are open-ended verbs. Thus, a method or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Further, a device or structure that is constructed in a certain manner is constructed in at least that manner, but may also be constructed in ways that are not listed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.