Bio-Electrode Composition for Residue-Free Skin Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-electrodes face challenges in achieving high electric conductivity, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness while preventing skin residue and allergic reactions, and require improved manufacturing processes for continuous use.
Innovation Solution
A bio-electrode composition comprising an ionic polymer material, addition reaction-curable silicone with a hydrosilyl group, platinum-group catalyst, and solvents with low water content and specific functional groups, allowing for a stable, residue-free, and lightweight bio-electrode formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble gel containing water and electrolyte is used as bio-electrode material, then electric conductivity is improved, but water evaporation during drying process causes loss of electric conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent system from water-based to organic solvent-based (alcohol, ether, ester, or ketone). This parameter change eliminates water evaporation issues during drying while maintaining electric conductivity through the organic solvent's ability to dissolve electrolytes and ionic polymers, thus resolving the contradiction between conductivity and drying stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining ionic polymer, electrolyte, and organic solvent. This composite approach allows the electrolyte to maintain ion mobility in the organic solvent environment, preserving electric conductivity while the organic solvent provides drying stability, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Reliability
If higher-ionization-tendency metal such as copper is used, then electric conductivity is improved, but skin allergy occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ionic polymer as an intermediary material between the metal electrode and the skin. This ionic polymer layer provides a biocompatible interface that prevents direct contact between copper ions and skin, eliminating allergic reactions while maintaining electric conductivity through ion transport, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining metal electrode, ionic polymer, and organic solvent. This composite material system achieves both high electric conductivity from the metal and biocompatibility from the ionic polymer coating, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and skin safety.
3Reliability
If electro-conductive polymer such as PEDOT-PSS is used, then electric conductivity is improved, but skin allergy and peeling occur due to strong acidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment from acidic (PEDOT-PSS) to neutral/basic by using ionic polymers with basic groups (such as polyethyleneimine or chitosan) in combination with organic solvents. This parameter change eliminates skin irritation and peeling while maintaining conductivity through ion transport, resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ionic polymer as an intermediary that replaces the acidic PEDOT-PSS layer. This intermediary provides biocompatibility and prevents skin reactions while enabling ion transport for electric conductivity, thus resolving the contradiction between conductivity and skin safety.
4Reliability
If metal nanowire, carbon black, or carbon nanotube is used, then electric conductivity is improved, but skin stimulation or allergy occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ionic polymer coating as an intermediary layer between the conductive material (metal nanowire, carbon black, or carbon nanotube) and the skin. This intermediary layer eliminates direct skin contact with potentially irritating materials while maintaining electric conductivity through ion transport, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining conductive particles (metal nanowire, carbon black, or carbon nanotube) with ionic polymer and organic solvent. This composite approach provides both high conductivity from the particles and biocompatibility from the ionic polymer matrix, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and skin safety.
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 ensures excellent electric conductivity, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness, with no skin residue, even under wet or dry conditions, and supports efficient manufacturing through low-cost, printing-based processes.
Implementation Method 1
converts changes of ion concentration from skin into electricity
Implementation Method 2
addition reaction-curable silicone having at least a hydrosilyl group
Data Source
AI summary
A bio-electrode composition contains (A) an ionic polymer material, (B) an addition reaction-curable silicone having at least a hydrosilyl group, (C) a platinum-group catalyst, and a solvent. The bio-electrode composition has a water content of 0.2 mass % or less. The solvent includes one or more of an ether solvent, an ester solvent, and a ketone solvent each of which does not contain a hydroxy group, a carboxyl group, a nitrogen atom, or a thiol group. Thus, present invention provides: a bio-electrode composition capable of forming a living body contact layer for a bio-electrode which is excellent in electric conductivity and biocompatibility, light-weight, and manufacturable at low cost, and which does not leave residue on skin after attachment to and peeling from 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.