US 4,955,381 A · Multi-pad, multi-function electrode

Abstract

An electrode having multiple conductive polymer pads for performing multiple, electrical physiological functions from a single set of electrodes with respect to a patient at or about the same time, such as defibrillating, pacing, and monitoring of that patient's heart, is described. The electrode is advantageously integrated into a cardiac system having stimulating means coupled to the electrode for delivering electrical impulses to the electrode to be used to stimulate the patient's heart, and monitoring means also coupled to the electrode for receiving and displaying electrical impulses produced by the patient's heart. The conductive polymers which comprise the pads are optionally inherently adhesive, so that the pads will adhere to a patient's body over their entire surface area. Moveover, they are rubber-based, will not smear or leave a residue on a patient's skin, have lower impedance, and depolarize faster compared with present saline-based gels, further contributing to the multi-functional capability. Also, the lower impedance enables the voltage generator in the cardiac system of which the electrode is a part to deliver a particular current pulse with less voltage, enabling the voltage generator, and the cardiac system in general, to be smaller, more compact, and less costly.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An electrode for stimulating and monitoring a patient's heart at or about the same time comprising:

a stimulating conductive polymer pad having a first surface for contacting a patient and delivering stimulating electrical impulses to that patient's heart, and having a second surface;
a monitoring conductive polymer pad having a first surface smaller in area than said stimulating pad first surface for contacting that patient and receiving electrical impulses from that patient's heart at or about the same time that said stimulating electrical impulses are being delivered, and having a second surface;
a peelable cover substantially covering said first polymer pad surfaces when the electrode is not in use;
a metal foil cover having substantially the same shape as the stimulating conductive polymer pad and having a front surface substantially covering the second surface thereof, and having a back surface;
a metal foil cover having substantially the same shape as the monitoring conductive polymer pad and having a front surface substantially covering the second surface thereof, and having a back surface;
a plastic foam cover adhered against the back surfaces of the metal foil covers and having two holes exposing apart of each metal foil cover;
two insulated wires having exposed ends which are respectively inserted into the two holes in the plastic foam cover and electrically coupled to the exposed part of the metal foil covers;
and
a wire retainer placed over the holes in the plastic foam cover after the wires have been inserted, which adheres to the plastic foam cover.

6 more elements

A cardiac system comprising:

at least a pair of electrodes wherein at least a first one of said electrodes is noninvasive, and wherein said first electrode has at least two spaced conductive polymer pads integrally connected by means of a non-conducting backing wherein at least a first one of said pads has an area of about 50 cm.sup.2 or more and is selected to deliver electrical impulses to a patient's heart in order to stimulate it, while at least one other of said pads is selected to receive electrical impulses at or about the same time from that patient's heart in order to monitor it;
stimulating means electrically coupled to said first pad for producing said stimulating electrical impulses;
and
monitoring means electrically coupled to said other pad for receiving and displaying said monitoring electrical impulses.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-pad, multi-function electrode

Life of this patent

Multi-pad, multi-function electrode

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9