Apparatus and methods for performing electrotherapy

A method of forming a circumferential electrode, the method comprising:

• providing a barrier layer comprising a fourth side;
• attaching an electrically conductive layer comprising a second side and a third side to the barrier layer, the second side being opposite the third side, the second side being adjacent to the fourth side of the barrier layer;
• and
• adding a hydrogel layer comprising a first side and a fifth side, the first side being opposite the fifth side, the third side of the electrically conductive layer contacting the first side of the hydrogel layer;
• wherein
• the hydrogel layer adheres to the barrier layer or to the electrically conductive layer without requiring an additional adhesive.

A method of providing an electric current through a recipient, the method comprising:

• providing a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrode each contacting the recipient;
• providing a current generating source connected to each of the first and second electrodes;
• configuring the current generating source to provide a first electric current in a first direction through the recipient;
• sensing a first voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode to determine a first magnitude of the first voltage difference;
• comparing the first magnitude to a voltage threshold;
• and
• executing a first function;
• wherein
• the sensing, the comparing, and the executing are each performed by the current generating source without additional input from an operator or user of the current generating source.

An electrotherapy system, comprising:

• a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrode each being configured to be connected to a biological recipient;
• and
• a current generating source connected to each of the first and second electrodes;
• wherein
• the current generating source is configured to provide a first electric current in a first direction through the biological recipient;
• the current generating source comprises means for sensing a first voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode to determine a first magnitude of the first voltage difference, means for comparing the first magnitude to a voltage threshold, and means for executing a first function;
• and
• the current generating source is operable to perform the sensing, the comparing, and the executing without additional input from an operator or user of the current generating source.

A method of performing electrotherapy treatments on a patient, the method comprising:

• connecting a current generating source to the patient;
• configuring the current generating source to provide a first electric current at a first current level setpoint through the patient, the first current level setpoint being between 500 microamps and 5 milliamps;
• configuring the current generating source to provide a second electric current at a second current level setpoint through the patient, the second current level setpoint being between 10 nanoamps and 1 microamp;
• passing the first current through the patient for a first time period, wherein the first current has a first mean current value over the entire span of the first time period;
• and
• passing the second current through the patient for a second time period, wherein the second current has a second mean current value over the entire span of the second time period;
• wherein
• the first current deviates from the first mean current value by less than 10% of the first mean current value throughout the entire first time period;
• and
• the second current deviates from the second mean current value by less than 1% of the second mean current value throughout the entire second time period.

A method of performing diagnostic measurements on a patient undergoing electrotherapy, the method comprising:

• providing a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes each contacting the patient, wherein a portion of the patient's body is between the electrodes;
• providing a current generating source connected to each of the first and second electrodes, the current generating source being configured to provide a current through the patient;
• passing a first current through the patient for a first time period, the first current being below 200 microamps;
• raising the current to a second level for a second time period, the second current level being greater than 200 microamps;
• reducing the current back to the first current for a third time period;
• and
• measuring an impedance during the second time period;
• wherein
• the second time period is sufficiently small to prevent substantial changes in the impedance of the portion of the patient's body which is between the electrodes.