Bio-electrode Composition with Organic Electrolyte Gel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-electrodes face challenges in achieving quick signal collection after attachment to the skin without leaving residue and ensuring biocompatibility, while maintaining electric conductivity and preventing skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A bio-electrode composition comprising a polymer compound with specific repeating units and filler particles, such as silica, alumina, or titania, which forms a living body contact layer that enhances electric conductivity and biocompatibility, and includes a polyglycerin structure for improved moisture-holding properties and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophilic gel containing water and electrolytes is used for bio-electrode, then electric conductivity is improved, but water evaporation during drying process causes loss of electric conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the gel system from water-based to organic solvent-based. By replacing water with organic solvents that have lower vapor pressure and different evaporation characteristics, the composition stability is improved while maintaining the gel's electroconductive properties through alternative electrolyte solutions in organic media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel system combining organic solvents, electrolytes, and gel-forming polymers. This composite approach allows the system to maintain structural integrity and electroconductive function without relying on water, thereby preventing conductivity loss during drying while still providing the necessary ionic conduction pathway.
2Reliability
If higher-ionization-tendency metal such as copper is used to improve electric conductivity, then electric conductivity is improved, but skin allergy occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an organic electrolyte solution as an intermediary medium between the metal electrode and the skin. This intermediary layer provides ionic conduction without direct contact between metallic ions and skin, eliminating allergic reactions while maintaining electroconductive function through alternative ionic pathways in the organic electrolyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable organic electrolyte gel layers that can be applied and discarded after use. This approach eliminates the need for permanent metal electrodes that cause allergies, using instead a consumable organic-based conductive layer that performs its function without long-term skin contact issues.
3Reliability
If electro-conductive polymer such as PEDOT-PSS is used to improve electric conductivity, then electric conductivity is improved, but skin allergy occurs due to strong acidity and peeling during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electroconductive material by replacing acidic polymer-based conductors with organic electrolyte gels having neutral or buffered pH. This parameter change eliminates skin irritation from acidity while maintaining electroconductive properties through ionic conduction in the organic electrolyte medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable organic electrolyte gel coatings that are applied temporarily and discarded after use. This eliminates the durability issues of washable electrodes, as each application is a fresh, pre-formulated gel layer that requires no washing or reuse, avoiding both skin allergy and peeling problems.
4Reliability
If metal nanowire, carbon black, or carbon nanotube is used to improve electric conductivity, then electric conductivity is improved, but biocompatibility is degraded due to sharp tips and skin stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanically sharp solid conductors (metal nanowires, carbon structures) with a chemically-based ionic conduction system. Instead of relying on physical contact through sharp tips, the system uses ionic movement in organic electrolyte gel to achieve conduction, eliminating mechanical skin penetration and stimulation while maintaining electrical function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite organic electrolyte gel system that combines gel-forming agents with ionic conductors in an organic solvent matrix. This composite approach provides both the structural properties needed for skin contact and the ionic pathways for conduction, replacing solid particulate conductors with a unified gel system that is inherently more biocompatible.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bio-electrode composition enables quick signal collection, prevents skin residue, and maintains electric conductivity even when wet or dry, while ensuring biocompatibility and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The water-soluble gel contains sodium, potassium, or calcium as the electrolyte in a water-soluble polymer for retaining water, and converts changes of ion concentration from skin into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a bio-electrode composition comprising: a polymer compound (A), which comprises a repeating unit-a having a structure selected from the group consisting of salts of ammonium, sodium, potassium, and silver formed with any of fluorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonimide, and N-carbonyl-fluorosulfonamide; and filler particles (B), which are one or more selected from the group consisting of silica particles, alumina particles, titania particles, and zirconia particles
Implementation Method 3
includes a polyglycerin structure for improved moisture-holding properties and sensitivity
Data Source
AI summary
A bio-electrode composition contains a polymer compound (A), which contains a repeating unit-a having a structure selected from the group consisting of salts of ammonium, sodium, potassium, and silver formed with any of fluorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonimide, and N-carbonyl-fluorosulfonamide; and filler particles (B), which are one or more selected from the group consisting of silica particles, alumina particles, titania particles, and zirconia particles. Thus, the present invention provides: a bio-electrode composition capable of forming a living body contact layer for a bio-electrode which enables quick signal collection after attachment to skin and does not leave residue on the skin; a bio-electrode including a living body contact layer formed of the bio-electrode composition; and a method for manufacturing the bio-electrode.