Biosignal Electrode MXene Pattern Open Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dry biosignal electrodes face challenges with high impedance and limited contact area, leading to noisy signal transmission, and existing solutions like wet electrodes cause skin irritation and are messy.
Innovation Solution
A dry biosignal electrode with a thermoplastic polyurethane substrate and a conductive material pattern that includes MXene, featuring open spaces filled with biocompatible glue for improved skin contact and reduced impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a dry electrode uses a simple metal plate structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact area with skin is insufficient leading to high impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode surface is segmented into multiple conductive material patterns arranged in an array, creating numerous small contact points that collectively provide large total contact area. This segmentation allows the electrode to maintain simple overall structure while achieving high contact area through the distributed pattern array.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat metal plate to a three-dimensional structure by building up conductive material patterns with specific thickness on the substrate surface. This dimensional change enables increased contact area and improved electrical coupling with the skin while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If conductive adhesive gel is used to improve skin contact, then the contact area increases, but the shelf-life decreases due to drying out
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the conductive adhesive gel component from the electrode structure, replacing it with direct skin contact through conductive material patterns. This removal of the gel layer eliminates the drying out problem that limits shelf-life while maintaining good electrical contact through the conductive patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the short-living conductive gel with a permanent, non-drying conductive material pattern that has extended durability. The conductive material embedded in the substrate provides long-term stable contact without the shelf-life limitations of gel-based solutions.
3Measurement precision
If the contact area is increased to reduce impedance, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the electrode structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive material pattern is merged with the substrate to form an integrated structure where the conductive elements are embedded within or on the substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex assembly components while achieving large contact area through the distributed pattern array.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as the base for conductive material deposition, and facilitates skin contact. The conductive material pattern simultaneously provides electrical conductivity and defines the contact area geometry, reducing overall device complexity through multi-functionality.
4Measurement precision
If wet electrodes with pins are used to improve contact, then the impedance is reduced, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of skin contact by using soft, biocompatible substrate materials and flexible conductive patterns that conform to skin topology without causing mechanical irritation. The distributed pattern array provides adequate contact area without requiring penetrating pins, thus achieving low impedance without skin trauma.
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 electrode achieves low impedance and increased contact area for better signal transmission without the use of conductive adhesive gel, reducing noise and skin irritation.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive material pattern on the first main surface of the substrate, the conductive material pattern defining a plurality of open spaces extending through the conductive material pattern and exposing the first surface of the substrate therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a biocompatible glue material within the plurality of open spaces of the conductive material pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A biosignal electrode that includes a substrate having first and second opposed main surfaces; a conductive material pattern on the first main surface of the substrate, the conductive material pattern defining a plurality of open spaces extending through the conductive material pattern and exposing the first surface of the substrate therethrough; and a biocompatible glue material within the plurality of open spaces of the conductive material pattern.