ELECTRODE AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode (1) comprising: —at least one reservoir (11) comprising a peripheral wall (111) made of a foam material, wherein said reservoir (11) is filled with a viscous electrolytic paste (12); —at least one plate (13) comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate (13) is in contact with the electrolytic paste (12) and configured to conduct electrical signals to a recording device; —at least one fastener (14); and wherein the at least one reservoir (11) comprises a hole (113) configured to release the electrolytic paste (12) under pressure applied on the electrode (1). The present invention also relates to the use of said electrode (1) and a process for the implementation of an electrode (1).

Claims

1. An electrode comprising: at least one reservoir comprising a peripheral wall made of a foam material, wherein said reservoir is filled with an electrolytic paste, wherein the electrolytic paste exhibits a viscosity ranging from 10 Pa.Math.s to 30 kPa s; at least one plate comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate is in contact with the electrolytic paste and configured to conduct electrical signals to a recording device; at least one fastener; and wherein the at least one reservoir comprises a hole configured to release the electrolytic paste under pressure applied on the electrode.

2. The electrode according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom polymeric washer.

3. The electrode according to claim 1, further comprising at least one double-sided adhesive sheet between the peripheral wall and the bottom polymeric washer.

4. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one plate comprises a conductor material selected in the group of: Ag/AgCl, electrically conductive silicone, electrically conductive polymer, a plastic loaded with a conductive material such as for example a plastic coated with Ag/AgCl, or mixture thereof.

5. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reservoir has a volume ranging from 0.1 ml to 100 ml.

6. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic paste exhibits an electrical conductivity ranging from 0.01 to 100 S/m.

7. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic paste exhibits a viscosity ranging from 10 kPa.Math.s to 30 kPa.Math.s.

8. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic paste exhibits a viscosity ranging from 10 Pa.Math.s to 10 kPa.Math.s.

9. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic paste is compatible with skin contact.

10. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener is a snap fastener.

11. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the foam material of the peripheral wall comprises a material selected in the group of: polyurethane, silicone, polyethylene, or a mixture thereof.

12. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the foam material has at least one sticky face configured to adhere to the skin.

13. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall comprises at least two parts assembled with a double-sided adhesive sheet.

14. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein said electrode is disposable.

15. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein said electrode is ready to use in an EEG electrode support such as for example an EEG headgear, an ECG electrode support, a FECG electrode support, an EMG electrode support, an EIT electrode support, a TENS electrode support, a bioimpedance electrode support, or any electrostimulation electrode support.

16. Use of the electrode according to claim 1 in an EEG electrode support, an ECG electrode support, an EMG electrode support, a FECG electrode support, an EIT electrode support, bioimpedance electrode support or any electrostimulation electrode support.

17. Process for the implementation of an electrode according to claim 1 comprising the following steps: fastening the electrode to an electrode support in a predefined position; and applying pressure on the at least one fastener to deliver the electrolytic paste from the at least one reservoir to the skin of a subject.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0120] The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings. For the purpose of illustrating, the electrode is shown in the preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, and aspect shown. The drawings are not drawn to scale and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the embodiments depicted. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims.

[0121] Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of an electrode according to the invention, this description being given merely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0122] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an electrode according to a first embodiment of the invention before use.

[0123] FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of an electrode according to the first embodiment during use, i.e. when pressure is applied on the fastener.

[0124] FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of an electrode according to a second embodiment of the invention before use.

[0125] FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of an electrode according to the second embodiment during use, i.e. when pressure is applied on the fastener.

[0126] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an electrode according to a third embodiment of the invention before use.

[0127] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of an electrode according to a fourth embodiment of the invention before use.

[0128] FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of an electrode according to the fourth embodiment during use, i.e. when pressure is applied on the fastener.

[0129] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, the detailed description is not to be construed as being limited hereto. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0130] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electrode 1 comprises: [0131] a reservoir 11 comprising a peripheral wall 111 made of a foam material and a bottom polymeric washer 112, wherein said reservoir 11 is filled with an electrolytic paste 12; [0132] a plate 13 comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate 13 is attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112 and in contact with the electrolytic paste 12; and [0133] a fastener 14 attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112.

[0134] In this embodiment, the reservoir 11 comprises a hole 113 configured to release the electrolytic paste 12 under pressure applied on the at least one fastener 14.

[0135] This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the wear of electrode is comfortable due to the foam material, and the electrode 1 is ready to use and does not require any additional manipulation before being put to use in an EEG electrode support such as for example an EEG headgear, an ECG electrode support, a FECG electrode support, an EMG electrode support, an EIT electrode support, a TENS electrode support, a bioimpedance electrode support, or any electrostimulation electrode support.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 1A, before use, the electrolytic paste 12 resides in the reservoir 11. Said electrolytic paste 12 has a sufficiently high viscosity not to flow out of the reservoir 11 without an external mechanical action.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 1B, during use on the head of a subject, a pressure is applied on the fastener 14, resulting in a deformation of the peripheral wall 111, thus allowing to deliver the electrolytic paste 12 directly on the skin of the subject. The delivery of the electrolytic paste 12 from the at least one reservoir 11 allows said paste to be in contact with the skin of the subject and therefore the recovery of the signal. The applied pressure is manual.

[0138] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references. The electrode 1 of the second embodiment comprises: [0139] a reservoir 11 comprising a peripheral wall 111 made of a foam material and a bottom polymeric washer 112, wherein said reservoir 11 is filled with an electrolytic paste 12; [0140] a plate 13 comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate 13 is attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112 and in contact with the electrolytic paste 12; and [0141] a fastener 14 attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112.

[0142] In this embodiment, the bottom polymeric washer 112 and the fastener 14 are combined.

[0143] In this embodiment, the reservoir 11 comprises a hole 113 configured to release the electrolytic paste 12 under pressure applied on the at least one fastener 14.

[0144] This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the wear of electrode is comfortable due to the foam material, and the electrode 1 is ready to use and does not require any additional manipulation before being put to use in an EEG electrode support such as for example an EEG headgear, an ECG electrode support, a FECG electrode support, an EMG electrode support, an EIT electrode support, a TENS electrode support, a bioimpedance electrode support, or any electrostimulation electrode support. Furthermore, as the bottom polymeric washer 112 and the fastener 14 are combined, there are less risk of separation of the electrode components.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 2A, before use, the electrolytic paste 12 resides in the reservoir 11. Said electrolytic paste 12 has a sufficiently high viscosity not to flow out of the reservoir without an external mechanical action.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 2B, during use on the head of a subject, a pressure is applied on the fastener 14, resulting in a deformation of the peripheral wall 111, thus allowing to deliver the electrolytic paste 12 directly on the skin of the subject. The delivery of the electrolytic paste 12 from the at least one reservoir 11 allows said paste to be in contact with the skin of the subject and therefore the recovery of the electrophysiological signal. The applied pressure is manual.

[0147] In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references. The electrode 1 of the third embodiment comprises: [0148] a reservoir 11 comprising a peripheral wall 111 made of a foam material and a bottom polymeric washer 112, wherein said reservoir 11 is filled with an electrolytic paste 12; [0149] a plate 13 comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate 13 is attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112 and in contact with the electrolytic paste 12; and [0150] a fastener 14 attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112.

[0151] In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 111 comprises two parts assembled with a double-sided adhesive sheet 15. The advantage of this embodiment is the use of two layers of foam material that are 2D cut (laser cut, water cut, cutter cut, or punched, etc.) instead of a complex molding.

[0152] In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references. The electrode 1 of the fourth embodiment comprises: [0153] a reservoir 11 comprising a peripheral wall 111 made of a foam material and a bottom polymeric washer 112, wherein said reservoir 11 is filled with an electrolytic paste 12; [0154] a plate 13 comprising a conductor material, wherein said plate 13 is attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112 and in contact with the electrolytic paste 12; and [0155] a fastener 14 attached to the bottom polymeric washer 112.

[0156] In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 111 is a cone. The operation of the electrode 1 is similar to that described in the first embodiment.

REFERENCES

[0157] 1—Electrode; [0158] 11—Reservoir; [0159] 111—Peripheral wall; [0160] 112—Bottom polymeric washer; [0161] 113—Hole; [0162] 12—Electrolytic paste; [0163] 13—Plate; [0164] 14—Fastener; [0165] 15—Double-sided adhesive sheet.