# US 2019/0167976 A1 · Conductive human interface with polymeric electrical contact element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167976 A1 - Document ID: US20190167976A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/209,296 - Filed: 2018-12-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05 - Applicants: The Ohio Willow Wood Company; Infinite Biomedical Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Stephen Byers; Daniel J. Conway; Rahul Reddy Kaliki; Damini Agarwal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167976A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/0496: {characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives} - A61F 2/72: Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric - A61F 2/7812: {Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump} - A61L 31/14: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials} - A61N 1/0452: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]} - A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]} - A61N 1/0476: {Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)} - A61N 1/0484: {Garment electrodes worn by the patient} - A61B 2562/14: Coupling media or elements to improve sensor contact with skin or tissue - A61B 2562/227: Sensors with electrical connectors - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus is provided for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user. In a given embodiment, the apparatus includes a fabric layer, an electrically insulating coating, and an electrical contact element. The fabric layer has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The coating has an exterior surface overlying the interior surface of the fabric layer, and has an interior surface exposed for contact with the skin of the user. The contact element includes a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material. The body of polymeric material reaches through the fabric layer and the coating, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the coating, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the fabric layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user, the apparatus comprising: a fabric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an electrically insulating elastomeric coating having an exterior surface overlying the interior surface of the fabric layer, and further having an interior surface exposed for contact with the skin of the user; and a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material, wherein the body of polymeric material reaches through the fabric layer and the coating, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the coating, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the fabric layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a separate component including an electrode, wherein the separate component is configured to interconnect the electrode with an assistive device that is operable in electrical communication with the electrode, the separate component is further configured to be placed over the exterior surface of the fabric layer in a predetermined operative position relative to the fabric layer, and the electrode is arranged to contact the exterior electrical contact surface on the body of polymeric material when the separate component is in the predetermined operative position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the electrode is a metal electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer and the coating define a prosthetic liner configured for donning over a residual limb. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the separate component is a prosthetic socket. ### Claim 6 An apparatus for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user, the apparatus comprising: a fabric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an electrically insulating coating having an exterior surface overlying the interior surface of the fabric layer, and further having an interior surface exposed for contact with the skin of the user; and a plurality of electrical contact elements, each of which comprises a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material; wherein each body of polymeric material reaches through the fabric layer and the coating, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the coating, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the fabric layer; and a separate component including an electrode; wherein the separate component is configured to interconnect the electrode with an assistive device that is operable in electrical communication with the electrode, the separate component is further configured to be placed over the exterior surface of the fabric layer in a predetermined position relative to the fabric layer, and the electrode is configured to contact a plurality of the exterior electrical contact surfaces on the contact elements when the separate component is in the predetermined position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the separate component includes multiple electrodes, each of which is configured to contact a plurality of the exterior electrical contact surfaces on the contact elements when the separate component is in the predetermined position, and the electrodes are arranged such that no two electrodes contact a common exterior electrical contact surface when the separate component is in the predetermined position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the fabric layer and the coating define a prosthetic liner configured for donning over a residual limb. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the separate component is a prosthetic socket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) An apparatus as defined in claim 6, further comprising an electrically insulating support structure supporting the contact elements in a fixed array separately from the fabric layer and the coating. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the support structure is received between the fabric layer and the coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the support structure is embedded within the coating. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the support structure is mounted on the exterior surface of the fabric layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises a sheet having an interior side surface, an exterior side surface, and apertures reaching through the sheet between the interior and exterior side surfaces, and wherein the contact elements are received within the apertures. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the contact elements are press-fitted within the apertures. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the contact elements project inwardly from the interior side surface of the sheet and outwardly from the exterior side surface of the sheet. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user, the apparatus comprising: a fabric layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an electrically elastomeric coating having an exterior surface overlying the interior surface of the fabric layer, and further having an interior surface exposed for contact with the skin of the user; and a plurality of electrical contact elements, each of which comprises a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material; wherein each body of polymeric material reaches through the fabric layer and the coating, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the coating, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the fabric layer; and an electrically insulating support structure supporting the contact elements in a fixed array separately from the fabric layer and the coating. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the support structure is received between the fabric layer and the coating. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the support structure is embedded within the coating. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the support structure is mounted on the exterior surface of the fabric layer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the support structure comprises a sheet having an interior side surface, an exterior side surface, and apertures reaching through the sheet between the interior and exterior side surfaces, and wherein the contact elements are received within the apertures. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the contact elements are press-fitted within the apertures. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the contact elements project inwardly from the interior side surface of the sheet and outwardly from the exterior side surface of the sheet. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the support structure is configured to be donned as a band encircling a residual limb. ### Claim 25 An apparatus for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrical contact elements, each of which comprises a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material; and an electrically insulating support structure supporting the contact elements in a fixed array and having an interior surface and an exterior surface; wherein each body of polymeric material reaches through the support structure, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the support structure, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the support structure, whereby the exterior electrical contact surface is exposed for making contact with an electrode on a separate component. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An apparatus as defined in claim 25 further comprising a separate component including an electrode, wherein the separate component is configured to interconnect the electrode with an assistive device that is operable in electrical communication with the electrode, the separate component is further configured to be placed in a predetermined position relative to the support structure, and the electrode is configured to contact a plurality of the exterior electrical contact surfaces on the electrical contact elements when the separate component is in the predetermined position. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the support structure is configured to be donned as a band encircling a residual limb. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the support structure has a generally conical shape with a closed distal end and an open proximal end for receiving a residual limb. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein each body of polymeric material has opposite ends and a length section oriented longitudinally between the opposite ends, the interior and exterior electrical contact surfaces are located at the opposite ends, and the length section of the body is bonded to the support structure. ### Claim 30 An apparatus for conducting electrical signals at the skin of a user, the apparatus comprising: an electrically insulating body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface is configured for contact with the skin of the user; a plurality of electrical contact elements, each of which comprises a body of polymeric material with an electrically conductive additive dispersed in the polymeric material; and an electrically insulating support structure supporting the contact elements in a fixed array and embedded within the insulating body; wherein each body of polymeric material reaches through the insulating body, has an interior electrical contact surface exposed at the interior surface of the insulating body, and further has an exterior electrical contact surface exposed at the exterior surface of the insulating body. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) An apparatus as defined in claim 30, further comprising a separate component including an electrode, wherein the separate component is configured to interconnect the electrode with an assistive device that is operable in electrical communication with the electrode, the separate component is further configured to be placed over the insulating body in a predetermined position relative to the insulating body, and the electrode is configured to contact a plurality of the exterior electrical contact surfaces on the contact elements when the separate component is in the predetermined position. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) An apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein the electrically insulating body is configured for donning over a residual limb. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) An apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the support structure has a generally conical shape with a closed distal end and an open proximal end for receiving a residual limb. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) An apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein the support structure comprises a sheet having an interior side surface, an exterior side surface, and apertures reaching through the sheet between the interior and exterior side surfaces, and wherein the contact elements are received within the apertures. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the contact elements are press-fitted within the apertures. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the contact elements project inwardly from the interior side surface of the sheet and outwardly from the exterior side surface of the sheet.