Bio-electrode Composition with Urethane-Silicon Resin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-electrodes face challenges in maintaining electric conductivity and biocompatibility while being lightweight and cost-effective, especially when exposed to water or used for extended periods, due to issues with water solubility, skin allergies, and limited durability.
Innovation Solution
A bio-electrode composition comprising a resin with a urethane bond and silicon-containing side chains, combined with electro-conductive materials like fluorosulfonic acid salts, sulfonimide salts, and sulfonamide salts, which form a living body contact layer that maintains conductivity and biocompatibility, even when wet or dry, and includes carbon materials for enhanced conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal with high ionization tendency such as copper is used for bio-electrode, then electron conductivity is improved, but skin allergies are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrophobic polymer materials as intermediary layers between the metal electrode and the skin. These polymer layers (such as polyvinylidene fluoride or silicone rubber) provide electrical conductivity while being biocompatible and non-irritating to the skin, thus mediating between the need for high conductivity and the need to prevent skin allergies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable bio-electrodes with thin polymer coatings that provide sufficient conductivity for short-term monitoring applications. These single-use electrodes eliminate skin allergy risks associated with repeated metal contact while maintaining adequate electron conductivity for their intended lifespan.
2Reliability
If electro-conductive polymer such as PEDOT-PSS is used for bio-electrode, then electron conductivity is improved, but skin allergies risk increases due to strong acidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable bio-electrodes with thin polymer coatings that provide sufficient conductivity for short-term monitoring applications. These single-use electrodes eliminate skin allergy risks associated with repeated metal contact while maintaining adequate electron conductivity for their intended lifespan.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If urethane is used for bio-electrode, then biocompatibility is improved, but hydrolysis occurs due to higher hydrophilicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where hydrophobic polymer materials (such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicone rubber) are combined with or replace urethane components. The hydrophobic polymer matrix provides both biocompatibility and resistance to hydrolysis, resolving the contradiction between maintaining biocompatibility and preventing chemical degradation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If silicone is used for bio-electrode, then biocompatibility and water repellency are improved, but electric conductivity is poor due to insulating material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines silicone rubber (providing biocompatibility and water repellency) with conductive fillers such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, or metal nanowires. The silicone matrix maintains its excellent biocompatibility and hydrophobicity while the dispersed conductive particles provide sufficient electron conductivity for bio-electrode applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies conductive coatings or layers only at specific locations where electrical contact is needed, while the bulk silicone material maintains its insulating and biocompatible properties. This local quality approach allows the electrode to have excellent biocompatibility in contact with skin while providing adequate conductivity at the electrode-skin interface.
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 stable electric signal transmission, prevents skin allergies, and maintains conductivity and biocompatibility, making it suitable for long-term use without significant conductivity loss, even when wet or dry, and is cost-effective to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
silicone is excellent in biocompatibility and repels water such as perspiration
Implementation Method 2
The ionic conduction is brought by ions hopping on the polyethylene glycol chain
Implementation Method 3
metal nanowire, carbon black, carbon nanotube, etc., which have excellent electron conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bio-electrode composition including: a resin containing a main chain having a urethane bond and two side chains each having a silicon-containing group; and an electro-conductive material, wherein the electro-conductive material is a polymer compound having one or more repeating units selected from fluorosulfonic acid salts shown by the following formulae (1)-1 and (1)-2, sulfonimide salts shown by the following formula (1)-3, and sulfonamide salts shown by the following formula (1)-4. This can form a living body contact layer for a bio-electrode that is excellent in electric conductivity and biocompatibility, light in weight, manufacturable at low cost, and free from large lowering of the electric conductivity even when it is wetted with water or dried. The present invention also provides a bio-electrode in which the living body contact layer is formed from the bio-electrode composition, and a method for manufacturing the bio-electrode.