Electrode Apparatus Current Spreader Liquid Gel Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrodes for electro-stimulation and measurement often cause undesired tingling or burning sensations due to inconsistent current density and edge effects, particularly with hydrogels and liquid-gel-in-sponge configurations, which fail to maintain full skin contact and lead to high current density hotspots.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly utilizing a current spreader, liquid gel receptacle, adhesive element, and permeable netting to ensure full skin contact and distribute electrical current evenly, reducing hotspots through a combination of a liquid gel reservoir, suction tool, and dissolvable film to maintain consistent gel contact and control current density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogels are used for electrical conduction, then electrical conduction is facilitated, but inconsistent current density and hot spots occur due to irregular skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel layer is configured with varying thickness across its surface, with thinner regions positioned at areas prone to edge effects and thicker regions at central areas. This non-uniform thickness distribution compensates for irregular skin contact, ensuring more uniform current density across the electrode surface by adjusting the local gel-to-skin contact pressure and electrical conductivity.
2Reliability
If liquid gel is used in sponge configuration, then gel is kept in place, but skin contact area decreases leading to tingling sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid gel from the sponge matrix and applies it directly to the skin surface as a separate layer. This eliminates the sponge's physical barrier that limited skin contact area, allowing the liquid gel to form direct contact with the skin while the sponge remains as a separate component for gel retention, thus increasing the effective skin contact area.
3Ease of operation
If conventional electrodes are used, then electro-stimulation is provided, but undesired tingling or burning sensations occur due to edge effects
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates controlled variations in hydrogel layer thickness as a key parameter modification. By adjusting the gel thickness parameter across different regions of the electrode surface, the electrical resistance and current density distribution are optimized to eliminate edge effects that cause tingling or burning sensations, while maintaining effective electro-stimulation delivery.
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 assembly effectively reduces current density hotspots and edge effects, providing comfortable and consistent electro-stimulation by ensuring full skin contact and controlled current distribution, thereby minimizing discomfort and enhancing the effectiveness of electro-stimulation and measurement applications.
Implementation Method 1
liquid gel configured to conduct current from a current spreader adjacent the spongeless volume to a stimulation area
Implementation Method 2
dissolvable film configured to dissolve upon contact with skin to release the liquid gel
Implementation Method 3
suction tool configured to remove excess liquid gel from the stimulation area
Implementation Method 4
permeable netting configured to allow the liquid gel to pass through
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electrode apparatus may be configured to provide electro-stimulation. The apparatus may include a current spreader and a spongeless volume disposed adjacent to the current spreader. The current spreader may be configured to spatially distribute electrical current across a stimulation area of a subject's skin. The spongeless volume may be configured to carry liquid gel or other fluent conductive substance that is configured to conduct electrical current between the current spreader and the stimulation area of the subject's skin to provide electro-stimulation.