Packaging structure that extends the effective life of electrode pads
The packaging structure with an environmental gel module addresses moisture loss in electrode pads, maintaining conductivity and adhesiveness, thereby extending the effective life and ensuring reliable performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-26
AI Technical Summary
Conventional storage methods for electrode pads fail to prevent performance degradation due to moisture loss, leading to decreased conductivity and adhesiveness over time, posing safety and effectiveness issues, especially in critical applications.
A packaging structure with an environmental gel module that replenishes moisture to the electrode pad via osmosis, maintaining optimal moisture content and preventing drying of the conductive gel.
Extends the effective life of electrode pads by ensuring stable conductivity and adhesiveness, enhancing safety and usability in various environments and applications.
Smart Images
Figure 0003255243000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of extending the effective period of an electrode pad, and particularly to a packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad.
Background Art
[0002] Currently, the effective period of electrode pads in the industry is generally set to 2 years. During the usage period of the electrode pad, the conductivity of the electrode gradually decreases over time and finally fails. Research has found that the most direct cause of this performance degradation phenomenon is the change in moisture in the conductive gel. Under the dual influence of time and high-temperature environment, the moisture in the conductive gel is gradually lost, causing the gel to dry out. Since the drying of the conductive gel significantly affects the conductivity and adhesiveness of the electrode pad, the electrode pad cannot normally perform its conductive function and becomes unusable.
[0003] Regarding the storage problem of electrode pads, the usual method in the conventional industry is to directly pack the electrode pads in bags and seal them for storage. However, such a storage method has the following obvious drawbacks. Sealed packaging can slow down the rate of moisture loss to a certain extent, but it cannot fundamentally solve the problem of performance degradation during the long-term storage process of electrode pads. In the later stage of the effective period of the electrode pad, its electrical performance and adhesiveness still gradually decrease and ultimately completely fail, which has a great impact on the safety and effectiveness of the electrode pad during use. Especially in application scenarios where the requirements for the performance of electrode pads are extremely high, such as medical first aid, electrical energy conduction, and sensing detection, the instability of the performance of electrode pads may lead to serious consequences.
[0004] Therefore, developing a storage device that can effectively extend the effective period of electrode pads and maintain the safety and effectiveness of electrode pads during use is of great significance for improving the use value of electrode pads, expanding their application scope, and ensuring the safety of related equipment and personnel.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a packaging structure that extends the effective period of electrode pads. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention employs the following technical means. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to the present invention includes an outer casing member, and inside the outer casing member are an electrode pad and an environmental gel module for replenishing water to the electrode pad.
[0007] The packaging structure for extending the effective period of electrode pads according to the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared to the prior art. By providing an environmental gel module inside the outer packaging member, moisture is released from the environmental gel module into the sealed air inside the packaging bag based on the principle of osmosis, increasing the humidity of the air. The electrode pad then absorbs moisture from the air and replenishes its water content. This continuous water replenishment effectively maintains the moisture content of the conductive gel in the electrode pad and prevents performance degradation due to drying of the conductive gel. This significantly extends the effective period of the electrode pad and provides assurance of safe and effective use of the electrode pad over a longer period of time. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] To more clearly explain the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings necessary for describing the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below. Clearly, the drawings in the following description are only a few embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these without requiring any creative effort.
[0009] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a packaging structure that extends the effective period of electrode pads according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a packaging structure that extends the effective period of electrode pads according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0011] To further clarify the purpose, technical means, and advantages of this invention, the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.
[0012] In the specific embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging structure for extending the effective period of the electrode pad according to the present invention includes an outer casing member 10, and inside the outer casing member 10 are an electrode pad 20 and an environmental gel module 30 for replenishing water to the electrode pad 20.
[0013] Specifically, by providing an environmental gel module 30 inside the outer casing 10, moisture is released from the environmental gel module 30 into the sealed air inside the packaging bag based on the principle of osmosis, increasing the humidity of the air. The electrode pad 20 then absorbs moisture from the air and replenishes its water content. This continuous water replenishment effectively maintains the moisture content of the conductive gel in the electrode pad 20, preventing performance degradation due to drying of the conductive gel. This significantly extends the effective life of the electrode pad 20, ensuring safe and effective use over a longer period. Furthermore, the water replenishment action of the environmental gel module 30 on the electrode pad 20 ensures that the conductive gel in the electrode pad 20 always maintains an appropriate moisture level, thus maintaining its high conductivity. Even in the later stages of the expected effective life of the electrode pad 20, the electrode pad 20 can still maintain stable conductivity, ensuring that it can accurately and reliably perform its conductive and electrical conduction functions in various application scenarios, thereby improving the quality and safety of use of the electrode pad 20. Furthermore, by replenishing the electrode pad 20 with water using the environmental gel module 30, the conductive gel can maintain a certain degree of flexibility and tackiness, avoiding the problem of loss of tackiness due to drying. In this way, the electrode pad 20 can adhere better to the contact surface during use, improving the effectiveness of the electrode pad 20 and the user experience.
[0014] Furthermore, in fields such as medical and electronic equipment, the safety and effectiveness of electrode pads 20 are directly related to the life and health of the user and the normal operation of the equipment. Conventional electrode pads 20 have a short shelf life and unstable performance in the later stages of their shelf life, posing a significant safety risk. This packaging structure extends the shelf life of the electrode pads 20, ensures the stability of electrical performance, and improves adhesiveness, fundamentally solving the problem of performance degradation that may occur during use of the electrode pads 20, and significantly improving the safety and effectiveness of the use of the electrode pads 20. In medical emergency care, rehabilitation treatment, and in scenarios such as electrical energy conduction and sensing detection, it can be guaranteed that the electrode pads 20 will reliably perform their functions, providing a safer and more stable guarantee for related applications. In addition, conventional electrode pads 20 have a short shelf life and unstable performance, which limits their range of application to some extent. For example, in situations where long-term storage is required or in special environments where the performance requirements for the electrode pads 20 are very high, conventional electrode pads 20 often do not meet the usage needs. This packaging structure solves the problem of performance degradation of the electrode pad 20 and allows the electrode pad 20 to be adapted to a wider range of application scenarios. Because the electrode pad 20 can maintain high performance even in extreme temperature and high humidity environments, and under long-term storage conditions, it expands the application range of the electrode pad 20 in various fields such as medicine, scientific research, and industry, bringing new opportunities to the industrial development of the electrode pad 20.
[0015] In one embodiment, a conductive gel layer is provided on the electrode pad 20, and the water content of the conductive gel layer is less than the water content of the environmental gel sheet 32.
[0016] Specifically, the conductive gel layer is composed of a hydrogel, and the water absorption principle of the hydrogel mainly includes the following several embodiments.
[0017] Three-dimensional network structure and the function of voids: Hydrogels are three-dimensional network structures composed of highly hydrophilic polymers. After these polymers are crosslinked, multiple tiny voids are formed between them. When a hydrogel comes into contact with water, water molecules can enter these voids, much like water enters the voids in a sponge. This void structure provides the hydrogel with a large amount of space to accommodate water molecules, forming the basis for the hydrogel's ability to absorb water.
[0018] Action of hydrophilic groups: Hydrogel polymer chains typically contain many hydrophilic groups such as carboxyl groups (-COOH), hydroxyl groups (-OH), and amino groups (-NH2). These hydrophilic groups can adsorb water molecules onto the hydrogel's network structure by forming hydrogen bonds or other electrostatic interactions with water molecules. For example, carboxyl groups can form hydrogen bonds with hydrogen atoms in water molecules, and hydroxyl groups can also interact with water molecules in a similar way. Due to these interactions between hydrophilic groups and water molecules, hydrogels have a strong water absorption capacity.
[0019] Osmotic pressure: When a hydrogel is in an aqueous solution or air, there is a difference between the solute concentration inside the hydrogel and the concentration or humidity of the aqueous solution or air outside, which generates osmotic pressure. Because the solute concentration inside the hydrogel is high, water molecules from the outside penetrate into the hydrogel due to the action of osmosis, and the hydrogel absorbs water and expands. As the water absorption process progresses, the solute concentration inside the hydrogel gradually decreases, and the osmotic pressure also gradually decreases. When the osmotic pressure reaches equilibrium, the water absorption process of the hydrogel gradually stops.
[0020] Donnan equilibrium: Hydrogels containing ionic groups (e.g., sodium polyacrylate hydrogels containing sodium carboxylate groups) dissociate with water to produce mobile ions. These ions form a Donnan equilibrium between the inside of the hydrogel and the surrounding solution. To maintain this equilibrium, external water molecules enter the inside of the hydrogel, increasing its water absorption capacity.
[0021] As described above, the water absorption of the hydrogel is the result of the combined action of various factors including a three-dimensional network structure, hydrophilic groups, osmotic pressure, and Donnan equilibrium. Due to these factors, the hydrogel can absorb a large amount of water and maintain its gel state.
[0022] That is, the conductive gel layer and the environmental gel sheet 32 have the same formulation components but different water contents, and the water content of the conductive gel layer is smaller than that of the environmental gel sheet 32. Therefore, in a sealed environment at the same temperature, the environmental gel sheet 32 replenishes water to the conductive gel layer.
[0023] The principle of water replenishment is based on osmotic pressure. Inside the hydrogel, there is a polymer network structure and solutes dissolved therein. The solute concentration of the hydrogel with a high water content is relatively low, and the solute concentration of the hydrogel with a low water content is relatively high. According to the principle of osmotic pressure, water molecules diffuse from the region with a low solute concentration (high water content) to the region with a high solute concentration (low water content) until the osmotic pressures of the two reach equilibrium, thereby realizing water replenishment, and at this time, the distribution of water in the two hydrogels becomes stable.
[0024] In one embodiment, the environmental gel module 30 includes an interior member 31, an environmental gel sheet 32 is attached to the interior member 31, and at least one ventilation hole 33 is formed.
[0025] Specifically, the interior member 31 is manufactured using a material having a certain strength and flexibility, such as a plastic film (e.g., a polyethylene film) or a composite aluminum foil. The structure of the interior member 31 is designed according to the shape and dimensions of the environmental gel sheet 32 so that the environmental gel sheet 32 can be tightly wrapped. At least one vent hole 33 is formed in the interior member 31 by a method such as laser perforation or mechanical perforation. The size and number of the vent holes 33 are determined according to the moisture replenishment rate required for the electrode pad 20 and the moisture release characteristics of the environmental gel sheet 32. For example, for the electrode pad 20 that needs to replenish moisture quickly, the number of the vent holes 33 can be appropriately increased or the diameter of the vent holes 33 can be enlarged. Conversely, the number of the vent holes 33 can be decreased or the diameter can be reduced.
[0026] The electrode pad 20 is placed inside the exterior member 10, and the assembled environmental gel module 30 is also placed in the exterior member 10. An appropriate distance between the environmental gel module 30 and the electrode pad 20 is maintained so that the moisture released from the environmental gel sheet 32 can act uniformly on the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20. Finally, the exterior member 10 is sealed and packaged, and methods such as heat sealing or adhesion may be used to ensure the sealing performance of the exterior member 10 and prevent excessive entry of external air and moisture, which may affect the performance of the electrode pad 20 and the environmental gel module 30.
[0027] In other words, by forming ventilation holes 33 in the interior component 31, the amount and rate of moisture released from the environmental gel sheet 32 can be precisely controlled. By rationally designing the size and number of ventilation holes 33 according to the moisture needs of the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20, moisture can pass through the ventilation holes 33 at an appropriate rate and act uniformly on the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20, enabling accurate water replenishment to the electrode pad 20, avoiding problems of excessive or insufficient water replenishment, and ensuring that the conductivity and adhesiveness of the electrode pad 20 are always maintained in an optimal state. Furthermore, the environmental gel sheet 32 continuously and slowly releases moisture, replenishing moisture to the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20 through the ventilation holes 33, and effectively preventing drying due to moisture loss of the conductive gel layer, thereby extending the effective life of the electrode pad 20. Compared to the conventional sealed storage method with direct bagging, this packaging structure allows the electrode pad 20 to maintain high performance for a longer period of time, significantly improving the usability of the electrode pad 20.
[0028] In one embodiment, both the upper and lower surfaces of the environmental gel sheet 32 are covered with a release film.
[0029] Specifically, the presence of a release film effectively prevents direct contact between the environmental gel sheet 32 and the interior component 31, ensuring the normal structure and function of the environmental gel module 30 by preventing the environmental gel sheet 32 from adhering to the interior component 31 due to its adhesive properties during packaging, transportation, and storage. Even if the packaging structure is pressed by a certain external force or vibrates, the environmental gel sheet 32 can maintain a stable position and its normal release of moisture is not affected by adhesion. Furthermore, since the release film does not hinder the release of moisture from the environmental gel sheet 32 and can maintain a certain gap between the environmental gel sheet 32 and the interior component 31, it helps the environmental gel sheet 32 to release moisture uniformly into the surrounding environment. In this way, moisture can act uniformly on the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20 through the ventilation holes 33 in the interior component 31, enabling accurate water replenishment to the electrode pad 20 and improving the uniformity and effectiveness of water replenishment.
[0030] In one embodiment, the environmental gel sheet 32 is semi-solid.
[0031] Specifically, the semi-solid environmental gel sheet 32 has high structural stability and fluidity, and can be uniformly distributed in the interior component 31. During storage, the moisture inside is slowly and uniformly released by the gel's network structure and can act on the conductive gel layer in the electrode pad 20 through the ventilation holes 33 in the interior component 31, enabling continuous and stable water replenishment to the electrode pad 20 and avoiding performance degradation of the electrode pad 20 due to uneven moisture release.
[0032] In one embodiment, the interior component 31 is a small packaging bag.
[0033] Specifically, plastic films such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are used as the main materials for small packaging bags. Polyethylene film has high flexibility, transparency, and chemical stability, is relatively inexpensive, and is suitable for mass production. Polypropylene film has higher strength and heat resistance and is more suitable when it is necessary to withstand a certain temperature or external force. For example, for general packaging that extends the effective life of electrode pads 20, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film with a thickness of 0.03 to 0.15 mm can be selected, as it is inexpensive and can meet basic packaging needs. To further improve the performance of small packaging bags, composite materials such as polyethylene / polyamide (PE / PA) composite film may be used. The polyamide layer has high barrier performance and can effectively prevent the intrusion of external factors such as oxygen and moisture, while the polyethylene layer provides high flexibility and processability.
[0034] In one embodiment, the thickness of the environmental gel sheet 32 is 0.5 to 5 mm.
[0035] Specifically, with a thickness of 0.5 to 5 mm, the environmental gel sheet 32 has sufficient volume and space to uniformly distribute moisture. During storage, the internal moisture is slowly and uniformly released by the gel network structure and can act on the conductive gel layer of the electrode pad 20 through the ventilation holes 33 in the small packaging bag, achieving continuous and stable water replenishment and avoiding performance differences of the electrode pad 20 due to uneven moisture release. Furthermore, with a thickness of 0.5 to 5 mm, the environmental gel sheet 32 has a certain deformation capacity and can adapt to interior components 31 and electrode pads 20 of different shapes and dimensions. During packaging, transportation, and use, even when pressed by a certain external force or vibrated, the environmental gel sheet 32 can maintain its good shape and performance, without easily breaking like solid materials or easily leaking like liquid materials, improving the reliability and stability of the packaging structure.
[0036] In one specific example, the water content of the conductive gel layer is 5-60%, and the water content of the environmental gel sheet 32 is 6-70%.
[0037] Specifically, the environmental gel sheet 32, as a moisture replenishment source, has a higher water content (6-70%) and therefore a greater moisture storage capacity, allowing it to continuously supply moisture to the conductive gel layer in a sealed environment and maintain the moisture equilibrium of the system. Furthermore, by replenishing moisture with the environmental gel sheet 32, the conductive gel layer can always maintain an appropriate moisture content range (5-60%) and maintain its high conductivity. Preferably, the moisture content of the conductive gel layer is 5-15%, and the moisture content of the environmental gel sheet 32 is 25-40%.
[0038] In one embodiment, the environmental gel sheet 32 is composed of components such as glycerin, water, hydroxymethyl acid esters, polyacrylates, carboxyesters, hydroxyesters, and aminoesters.
[0039] Specifically, weighed glycerin, hydroxymethyl esters, polyacrylates, carboxyesters, hydroxyesters, and aminoesters are each added to an appropriate amount of water and pre-dissolved or uniformly dispersed under heating (e.g., 60-80°C) and stirring conditions. Next, the pre-dissolved component solutions are mixed and stirred for a certain period of time (e.g., 1-2 hours) to ensure that each component is thoroughly and uniformly mixed to form a homogeneous mixed solution. An appropriate amount of crosslinking agent is added to the mixed solution (for example, boric acid can be used as a crosslinking agent for systems containing components such as hydroxymethyl esters) to initiate the crosslinking reaction, linking each component substance to each other and forming a stable three-dimensional network structure. During the crosslinking process, the reaction conditions (e.g., temperature, pH value, etc.) are controlled to ensure that the crosslinking effect is optimal. The crosslinked solution is poured into a mold for molding, and freeze-drying or natural equilibrium moisture treatment can be selectively performed as needed. When freeze-drying is used, it is necessary to freeze the material at a low temperature (e.g., -40°C) for a certain period of time (e.g., 24-48 hours) and then dry it in a vacuum drying box to precisely control the moisture content. If natural equilibrium of moisture is chosen, the gel material is placed in an environment with a specific humidity (e.g., relative humidity of 60-80%) and temperature (e.g., room temperature) to allow it to naturally reach the desired moisture content range (25-40%).
[0040] More specifically, the composition ratio of the ingredients in the environmental gel sheet 32 is 10-50% glycerin, 25-40% water, 5-40% hydroxymethyl ester, 5-40% polyacrylate, 5-40% carboxyl group (-CO0H), 5-40% hydroxyl group (-0H), 5-40% amino group (-NH2), and 5-40% other.
[0041] In one embodiment, the outer packaging member 10 is a large packaging bag.
[0042] Specifically, the large packaging bag and the small packaging bag are made of the same material, but the dimensions of the large packaging bag are larger than those of the small packaging bag, and the electrode pads 20 and the environmental gel module 30 are distributed in a staggered manner inside the large packaging bag in order to facilitate the release of moisture from the environmental gel module 30 and the replenishment of water to the electrode pads 20.
[0043] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in addition, the present invention may be realized in other forms, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present technical means. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0044] 10: Exterior components 20: Electrode pads 30: Environmental Gel Module 31: Interior materials 32: Environmental Gel Sheet 33: Ventilation holes
Claims
1. A packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad, characterized in that it includes an outer casing member, and inside the outer casing member, an electrode pad and an environmental gel module for replenishing water to the electrode pad are installed.
2. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the environmental gel module includes an interior member, the interior member is fitted with an environmental gel sheet, and at least one ventilation hole is formed therein.
3. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of the electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that both the upper and lower surfaces of the environmental gel sheet are covered with a release film.
4. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of the electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that the environmental gel sheet is in a semi-solid state.
5. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that the interior component is a small packaging bag.
6. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of the electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the environmental gel sheet is 0.5 to 5 mm.
7. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that a conductive gel layer is provided on the electrode pad, and the water content of the conductive gel layer is less than the water content of the environmental gel sheet.
8. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to claim 7, characterized in that the water content of the conductive gel layer is 5 to 60%, and the water content of the environmental gel sheet is 6 to 70%.
9. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of the electrode pad according to claim 2, characterized in that the environmental gel sheet is composed of glycerin, water, hydroxymethyl acid esters, polyacrylates, carboxyesters, hydroxyesters, and aminoesters.
10. The packaging structure for extending the effective period of an electrode pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer packaging member is a large packaging bag.