Sensor for biopotential measurements
OwnerMark J. Licatainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor for biopotential measurements is designed to detect low voltage electrical signals on a subject's skin surface. A plurality of soft elastomeric bristles are arranged about the surface of the skin. Various bristles contain a wick, made of polyolefin, polyester or nylon, extending along its center axis with one end protruding from the bristle and another end in contact with a fluid reservoir. The wick is saturated with an electrically conductive liquid, such as a salt solution. The solution may contain a surfactant. The surface properties of the electrically conductive liquid and wick are optimized for predictable flow through the wick onto the skin surface. An electrode is positioned in the vicinity of the wick and the reservoir.
Claims23
A sensor for biopotential measurements comprising:
- a. at least one elastomeric bristle having a base and a tip with a channel running therebetween and a porous wick extending through the channel, said tip contacting a skin surface;
- b. a reservoir containing an electrically conductive material is formed at the base of said elastomeric bristle;
- and
- c. an electrode for detecting electrical potential;
- wherein, said porous wick transports the electrically conductive material from said reservoir to said elastomeric bristle tip in order to conduct an electrical signal obtained from the skin surface, moisten the skin surface, and reduce the electrical resistance of the skin surface.
A sensor for biopotential measurements comprising:
- a. a plurality of physically linked elastomeric bristles;
- and
- b. an electrode for detecting electrical potential;
- wherein said plurality of elastomeric bristles comprise at least two different kinds of bristles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.