# US 2019/0167196 A1 · Methods and apparatus for providing electrical connection to a subject > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167196 A1 - Document ID: US20190167196A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/199,893 - Filed: 2018-11-26 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Applicants: Nokia Technologies Oy - Inventors: Zoran Radivojevic; Matteo Bruna; Salvatore Zarra; Ugo Sassi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167196A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/6844: {Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue} - A61B 5/257: using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes - A61B 5/6833: {Adhesive patches} - A61B 5/6839: {Anchoring means, e.g. barbs} - H01R 13/6205: {Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet} - H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) - A61B 5/1102: {Ballistocardiography} - A61B 5/296: for electromyography [EMG] - A61B 2562/0209: Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053 - A61B 2562/0214: Capacitive electrodes - A61B 2562/14: Coupling media or elements to improve sensor contact with skin or tissue - H01R 2201/12: for medicine and surgery - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A method and apparatus, the method comprising: applying a conductive contact to a subject's skin; positioning an electrode relative to the conductive contact to enable an electrical connection between the subject's skin and the electrode wherein the electrical connection enables a bio-parameter of the subject to be detected; and wherein at least one of the conductive contact and the electrode are magnetised so as to enable a magnetic field from the magnetised at least one conductive contact and/or electrode to align the conductive contact and the electrode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: applying a conductive contact to a subject's skin; positioning an electrode relative to the conductive contact to enable an electrical connection between the subject's skin and the electrode wherein the electrical connection enables a bio-parameter of the subject to be detected; and wherein at least one of the conductive contact and the electrode are magnetised so as to enable a magnetic field from the magnetised at least one conductive contact and/or electrode to align the conductive contact and the electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the conductive contact and the electrode are magnetised. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode is provided within a wearable electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a conductive film mounted on a textile substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is arranged to hold the electrode in position overlaying the conductive contact. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is arranged to pull the electrode back to a position overlaying the conductive contact if the electrode is moved relative to the conductive portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive contact comprises an adhesive and a conductive film overlaying the adhesive wherein the adhesive is applied to the surface of the subject's skin and wherein the adhesive comprises magnetic particles suspended within the adhesive. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive contact comprises an ink comprising conductive particles which is deposited on the surface of the subject's skin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive contact comprises an ink comprising conductive particles which is dispersed underneath the epidermis of the subject's skin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical connection is a galvanic connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical connection comprises capacitive coupling between the conductive contact and the electrode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode is arranged to provide an output signal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the output signal is indicative of a detected bio-parameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bio-parameter comprises at least one of; a biopotential, a bio-mechanical output, or optical output. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: at least one electrode, wherein the at least one electrode is arranged to be coupled to a conductive contact on a subject's skin so as to enable an electrical connection between the conductive contact and the electrode, wherein the electrical connection enables a bio-parameter of the subject to be detected; wherein at least one of the conductive contact and the electrode are magnetised so as to enable a magnetic field to align the conductive contact and the electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the electrode is magnetised. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the electrode comprises a magnetic portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the electrode is arranged to provide an output signal. ### Claim 19 An apparatus as claimed in 18, wherein the output signal is indicative of a detected bio-parameter.