INTELLIGENT ELECTRODE

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical electrode for recording bioelectrical signals from a muscle, in particular a cardiac muscle, via the skin of a human or animal. The medical electrode comprises: a metal contact (2) for connection to an electrode cable; an electrically conductive electrode plate (3) for receiving the bioelectrical signals; a contact means (4) for establishing an electrical contact between the electrode plate and the skin; and an electronic circuit (7) which comprises a memory (6) for storing electrode-related data.

Claims

1. A medical electrode for receiving bioelectrical signals of a muscle via the skin of a person or of an animal, comprises: a metallic contact for the connection to an electrode cable; an electrically conductive electrode plate for receiving the bioelectrical signals; a contact means for establishing an electrical contact between the electrode plate and the skin; and an electronic circuit comprising a memory for storing electrode-related data.

2. The medical electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is designed to transmit the electrode-related data to a receiver.

3. The medical electrode according to claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit is designed to wirelessly transmit the electrode-related data.

4. The medical electrode according to claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a transponder and is designed to transmit by radio the electrode-related data as a reaction to a received radio signal.

5. The medical electrode according to claim 2, also comprising an electrode body in which the electronic circuit is arranged, wherein electrical contacts are run from the electronic circuit to an upper side of the electrode body.

6. The medical electrode according to claim 1, also comprising a covering on the contact means and a presence sensor, wherein the presence sensor is designed to recognize whether the covering is present.

7. The medical electrode according to claim 1, also comprising a conductivity sensor designed to measure the electrical conductivity of the contact means.

8. The medical electrode according to claim 1, also comprising a conductivity sensor designed to measure the conductivity between the electrode plate and the skin.

9. The medical electrode according to claim 1, also comprising a chemical sensor designed to determine a chemical property of the contact means.

10. The medical electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is designed to store measured data from a sensor of the medical electrode in the memory.

Description

[0049] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference made to the attached drawings, in which:

[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode according to the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the medical electrode of FIG. 1 with an electrode plug;

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with another electrode plug;

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a flexible contact of the electrode plug of FIG. 3 in detail;

[0054] FIG. 5a illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with a presence sensor for recognizing the presence of the covering;

[0055] FIG. 5b shows how the presence sensor of FIG. 5a recognizes the removal of the covering;

[0056] FIG. 6a illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with a presence sensor for recognizing the presence of a covering;

[0057] FIG. 6b shows how the presence sensor of FIG. 6a recognizes the removal of the covering;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with a conductivity sensor for determining the conductivity of the contact means;

[0059] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with a conductivity sensor for determining the transition resistance to the skin; and

[0060] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode with a chemical sensor for determining a chemical property of the contact means.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 1. In the following the same or similar parts of the medical electrode 1 in the description have the same reference numerals and these parts are also described only once in order to avoid repetitions.

[0062] The medical electrode 1 in FIG. 1 is constructed as a so-called adhesive electrode and serves to be adhered onto the skin of a patient and to receive bioelectrical signals from the patient. It comprises a metallic head 2 for fastening an electrode cable to an electrode plug. The metallic head 2 has an electrically conductive connection to an electrically conductive electrode plate 3 formed here from metal and serving to receive bioelectrical signals. The metallic head 2 can also be constructed in some exemplary embodiments as a clamp or a clip. The metallic head 2 and the electrical plate 3 are constructed here as two separate elements but can also be constructed in other exemplary examples as one element, e.g., in one piece.

[0063] The medical electrode 1 furthermore comprises a contact means 4 which is contained in a hollow space of an electrode body 8 of the medical electrode 1. The contact means 4 is arranged under the electrode plate 3 and serves to establish an electrically conductive connection between the electrode plate 3 and the patient's skin. The contact means 4 is designed here as a gel, as was also explained above.

[0064] The electrode body 8 is produced from an electrically insulating material and contains, e.g., plastic and/or textile materials.

[0065] The metallic head 2 is arranged of the top of the electrode body 8 so that it is accessible for connecting it to an electrode cable.

[0066] An adhesive layer 9 is arranged on the bottom of the electrode body 8 and serves to adhere the medical electrode 1 onto the patient's skin.

[0067] The medical electrode 1 comprises on the bottom, i.e., where the adhesive layer 9 is arranged, a covering 10 which protects the adhesive layer 9 and the contact means 4 from drying out and becoming contaminated. Furthermore, the covering 4 ensures that the contact means 4 remains in place and does not run out of its hollow space. The covering 10 is manufactured here from a coated paper but can also be manufactured from plastic or some other suitable material, as a sheet, etc.

[0068] The medical electrode 1 is subjected to an ageing process in particular on account of the contact means 4 that is designed here as a gel. The gel can, e.g., dry out or chemically change. Furthermore, the adhesiveness of the adhesive of the adhesive layer 9 can weaken. Therefore, the medical electrode 1 has an expiration date after which a usage can lead to the above-cited losses in the signal quality.

[0069] In order to store information about manufacturer, electrode type, charge number and serial number, contact means used and the like in the medical electrode 1, it has an electronic circuit 7 comprising a memory 6 which is designed as a flash memory and can permanently store the information even if no electrical current is being supplied.

[0070] Even if the electronic circuit 7 is constructed arranged in the electrode body in the present exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited in this regard. In other exemplary embodiments the electronic circuit is arranged outside of the electrode body, e.g., coupled via a conductive connection to the measuring contacts/sensors in the electrode.

[0071] The electronic circuit 7 furthermore comprises a microcontroller 5 which is designed to transmit information to the memory 6 and to store it in the memory. The electronic circuit 7 comprises a flexible plate bar on which the memory 6 and the microcontroller 5 are arranged. In other exemplary embodiments the plate bar is designed to be inflexible. The electronic circuit 7 is integrated into the electrode body 8.

[0072] Furthermore, the medical electrode 1 comprises a coil 11 on the electronic circuit 7 via which an inductive coupling can take place. Wireless energy and information can be transmitted via the inductive coupling to the electronic circuit 7 and from it to an external device.

[0073] In this manner an inductive coupling can be established, for example, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, via an electronic plug 12 of an electrode cable connected to the medical electrode 1.

[0074] To this end the electrode plug 12 also comprises a coil 15 which can be connected via two lines 16 and 17 to an external device, e.g., to an EKG device which then also appropriately controls the coil 15 in order to receive information from the direction of transport circuit 7 and/or to transmit information to it. Therefore, the external device can query the electrode-related data from the memory 6.

[0075] Furthermore, the electrode plug 12 comprises a metallic coating 13 which has a shape negative to the metallic head 2 so that the electrode plug 12 can be inserted onto the metallic head 2 and the metallic coating 13 can produce an electrical contact with the metallic head 2. The metallic coating 13 makes contact with a line 14 so that the bioelectrical signals received from the electrode plate 3 can be transmitted to the external device.

[0076] Consequently, electrical energy and/or information such as the electrode -related data from the memory 6 can be wirelessly transmitted via the inductive coupling of the coil 15 of the electrode plug 12 and of the coil 11 of the medical electrode 1. Even otherwise, a communication between an external electronic system such as an EKG device or an analysis device or the like and the electronic circuit 7 with its connected components is possible. Therefore, e.g., even the sensor of the electronic circuit or a sensor coupled to the electronic circuit can be controlled by the external electronic system via the coupling. Even the memory 6 can be externally controlled in some exemplary embodiments so that in some external embodiments the microcontroller 5 can also be omitted.

[0077] In order to guarantee the correct position of the coil 15 and the coil 11 with one another, e.g., a mechanical fixing of the electrode plug 12 can be provided, e.g., by pins, projections, notches, grooves or other intermeshing mechanical means which fix an electrode plug and the medicinal electrode in a defined position to one another. In other exemplary embodiments the coil 11 of the medical electrode 1 is concentrically constructed and extends annularly through the electrode body 8 so that it makes no difference at which location the coil 15 of the electrode plug 12 is arranged since a part of the coil 11 is always located under it. To this end the coil 15 of the electrode plug and the coil 11 of the medical electrode 1 are each arranged with the same distance from the middle axis of the medical electrode 1, which extends centrally through the metallic head 2.

[0078] In some exemplary embodiments, instead of or additionally to the coil 11 or 15 a chip for wireless communication, e.g., an RFID chip or the like can be arranged.

[0079] In some exemplary embodiments a capacitive coupling is also provided between the electrode plug 12 and the medical electrode 1 which coupling is constructed analogously to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0080] A wire-connected coupling between an electrode plug 12′ and a medical electrode 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0081] The medical electrode 20 and the electrode plug 12′ largely correspond to the medical electrode 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and to the electrode plug 12 of FIG. 2.

[0082] The electronic circuit 7 lacks the coil 11 and instead of it two electrical contacts 21a and 21b are arranged which run through the electrode body 8 toon its surface to the outside.

[0083] Accordingly, the electrode plug 12′ comprises two electrical contacts 22a and 22b which electrically contact the electrical contacts 21a and 21b when the electrode plug 12′ is arranged on the medical electrode 20. The electrical contacts 22a and 22b are designed as spring contacts as is shown by way of example in FIG. 4 for the contact 22a. The contact 22a has a rod-shaped section 119 and a plate section 121. The rod-shaped section 119 is surrounded by a spring 120 which tensions the contact 22a in such a manner that the plate section 121 presses against the electrical contacts 21a and 21b of the medical electrode 20 when the electrode plug 12′ is plugged in. The electrical contacts 22a and 22b of the electrode plug 12′ are each connected to the electrical lines 16 and 17 which can be connected to an external device as explained above.

[0084] In order to mechanically fix the electrode plug 12′, three magnets 24a, 24b and 24c are arranged on its bottom and opposite them the medical electrode 20 comprises corresponding magnetic metallic elements 23a, 23b and 23c in the top of the electrode body 8. Accordingly, the magnetic attractive force of the magnets 24a, 24b and 24c holds the electrode plug 12′ in its position and it draws it with the bottom to the top of the electrode body 8. As a result, the plate section 121 of the electrical contacts 22a and 22b of the electrode plug 12 is pressed against the electrical contacts 21a and 21b of the medical electrode 1 counter to the spring force of the spring 120, which establishes a good electrical contact.

[0085] As a result, electrical energy and/or information such as the electrode-related data can be transmitted via the electrical contacts 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b of the medical electrical 20 and of the electrical plug 12′.

[0086] Alternatively, the electrical contacts 21a and 21b of the medical electrical 20 can also be constructed as annular contacts and extend in a corresponding manner as concentric, circular strips on the top of the electrode body 8 in order to ensure the correct position of the spring-supported contacts 22a and 22b of the electrical plug 12′ relative to the electrical contacts 21a and 21b of the medical electrode 20. Furthermore, an additional, mechanical fixing can be present, as explained above.

[0087] In the following, other exemplary embodiments of a medical electrode are described, wherein in order to simplify the presentation the electronic circuit and the coupling between an electrode plug and the electronic switch are not shown.

[0088] This can be designed, e.g., in a corresponding manner analogously to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, in particular for FIGS. 1 to 3, that is, the medical electrodes described in the following can be constructed for a wireless or wire-connected coupling.

[0089] FIGS. 5a and 5b show an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 30 in which the removal of the covering 10 can be recognized.

[0090] In addition, the medical electrode 30 comprises two electrical contacts 31a and 31b arranged at a distance from one another on its bottom of the electrode body 8. An intermediate space is present between the contacts 31a and 31b so that no current can flow between them. If the covering 10 is removed (FIG. 5b), then the contact means 4 flows out and into the intermediate space between the contacts 31a and 31b, establishing an electrical connection between the two electrical contacts 31a and 31b. Consequently, the contact means 4 closes the two electrical contacts 31a and 31b and forms a transitional resistance that can be determined by a presence sensor 32 which is electrically coupled to the two electrical contacts 31a and 31b.

[0091] When the covering 10 is again placed on the electrode carrier 8 the gel of the contact means 4 remains as a thin film and establishes the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 31a and 3 lb and allows it to exist.

[0092] The presence sensor 32 is shown here outside of the medical electrode 30 but it can also be a component of the electrical circuit 7 or also be realized by the microcontroller 5 which is arranged in an appropriate manner for determining a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 31a and 31b.

[0093] However, the presence sensor 32 can also be provided in an external device or a microprocessor present there can be arranged in an appropriate manner for determining a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 31a and 32b.

[0094] FIGS. 6a and 6b show an alternative exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 40 in which the removal of the covering 10 can be recognized.

[0095] To this end the medical electrode 40 has two electrical contacts 41a and 41b arranged at a distance from one another on its bottom of the electrode body 8. The cover 10 comprises a metallic body 42 which can be evaporated on can be constructed as a metallic sheet, as a metallic strip or the like and is arranged so that it electrically connects the two electrical contacts 41a and 41b to one another.

[0096] If the covering 10 is removed (FIG. 6b), the electrical contact between the two electrical contacts 41a and 41b is interrupted. This interruption of the current flow can be determined by a presence sensor 42 which is electrically coupled to the two electrical contacts 41a and 41b.

[0097] The presence sensor 42 is shown here outside of the medical electrode 40 but it can also be a component of the electronic circuit 7 or also be realized by the microcontroller 5, which is appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 41a and 41b.

[0098] However, the presence sensor 42 can also be provided in an external device or a microprocessor present there can be appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 41a and 41b.

[0099] In other exemplary embodiments the presence sensor comprises a pin which is drawn with the covering out of the electrode, as a result of which a contact is opened or closed. As a result, it can be determined whether the cover is present or not.

[0100] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 50 in which the conductivity of the contact means 4 is determined by measuring an electrical resistance or in impedance between two electrical contacts 51a and 51b. The electrical contacts 51a and 51b are arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the contact means 4 establishes an electrical contact between them. The electrical contacts 51a and 51b can be arranged in such a manner that the contact means 4 is arranged between them when the covering 10 is present and/or when it is removed. In some exemplary embodiments even the electrical contacts 31a and 31b can be used for measuring the conductivity which was explained above for checking the presence of the covering 10.

[0101] The resistance and/or the impedance between the two electrical contacts 51a and 51b is determined by measuring a direct current and/or an alternating current which is performed by a conductivity sensor 52 which is electrically coupled to the two electrical contacts 51a and 51b.

[0102] The conductivity sensor 52 is shown here outside of the medical electrode 50 but it can also be a component of the electrical circuit 7 or also be realized by the microcontroller 5, which is appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 51a and 51b.

[0103] However, the conductivity sensor 52 can also be provided in an external device or a microprocessor present there can be appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the two electrical contacts 51a and 51b.

[0104] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 60 in which a transitional resistance is determined between the medical electrode 60 and the skin of a patent by measuring an electrical resistance or an impedance between an electrical contact 61 and the electrode plate 3.

[0105] The electrical contact 61 is arranged on the bottom of the electrode body 8 so that it comes in contact with the skin of the patient when the medical electrode 60 is adhered fast with it adhesive layer 9.

[0106] The resistance or the impedance between the electrode plate 3 and the electrical contact 61 is determined by a direct- and/or alternating current measuring which is carried out by a conductivity sensor 62 which is electrically coupled to the electrode plate 3 via the metallic head 2 and to the electrical contact 61.

[0107] The conductivity sensor 62 is shown here outside of the medical electrode 50 but it can also be a component of the electronic circuit 7 or also be realized by the microcontroller 5, which is appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the electrode plate 3 and the electrical contact 61.

[0108] However, the conductivity sensor 62 can also be provided in an external device or a microcontroller present there can be appropriately designed to determine a current flow or resistance between the electrode plate 3 and the electrical contact 61.

[0109] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical electrode 70 in which a chemical property of the contact means 4 is determined by a chemical sensor 71 which is a component of the electronic circuit 7 and is connected to the microcontroller 5. Chemical sensors are basically known and an appropriate chemical sensor can be selected depending on what type of property of the contact means 4 is to be determined.

[0110] The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5a to 7 show two electrical contacts and only one contact is shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8. However, the present invention is not limited to a certain number of electrical contacts.

[0111] For the rest, the microcontroller 5 or the memory 6 can be designed to store data stemming from one of the above sensors 32, 43, 52, 62, 71 in the memory 6.