Biomedical Electrode Discontinuous Primer Layer Adhesion Conductivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomedical electrodes face challenges in achieving a balance between adhesion to the skin and maintaining electrical conductivity, with conventional methods often compromising on one aspect for the other.
Innovation Solution
The development of a biomedical electrode featuring an ionically conductive hydrogel layer with a discontinuous primer layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing, which allows for improved adhesion while maintaining high conductivity by ensuring direct contact between the hydrogel and the conductive member without a continuous primer layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a continuous primer layer is used to improve adhesion, then adhesion strength increases, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The primer layer is designed as discontinuous or patterned rather than continuous, creating isolated regions of primer material separated by gaps. This segmentation allows the adhesive to bond to both the substrate and hydrogel in multiple locations while maintaining electrical conductivity pathways through the gaps, thus resolving the contradiction between adhesion strength and electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The primer material is strategically placed only in specific locations where adhesion is most needed, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This local quality approach concentrates adhesive functionality in critical areas while leaving other areas open for electrical contact, thereby achieving strong adhesion without compromising overall conductivity
2Reliability
If the primer layer is made discontinuous to maintain conductivity, then electrical conductivity improves, but adhesion uniformity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The discontinuous primer layer is segmented into multiple discrete regions distributed across the substrate surface. This segmentation creates a balanced structure where primer islands provide localized adhesion points while the spaces between them maintain electrical conductivity, achieving both conductivity and acceptable adhesion uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than applying primer uniformly across the entire surface, the solution uses partial action by limiting primer coverage to specific strategic locations. This partial coverage is sufficient to achieve adequate adhesion while explicitly preserving electrical conductivity pathways, resolving the contradiction between uniformity and conductivity
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
This configuration enhances adhesion to the skin while ensuring the electrode passes conductivity testing standards, demonstrating a synergistic balance of adhesive properties and electrical conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensitive adhesive is bonded to the electrically conductive member or a connector component thereof. The pressure sensitive adhesive is also bonded to the discontinuous primer layer and portion of the first major surface of the hydrogel layer.
Implementation Method 2
an ionically-conductive hydrogel layer comprising a first major surface and opposing major surface
Implementation Method 3
a discontinuous hydrophobic primer layer disposed on the first hydrogel layer; and a hydrophobic adhesive or hydrophobic backing bonded to the primer
Data Source
AI summary
Articles and methods of making articles are described. In one embodiment, an electrode is described, comprising an ionically-conductive hydrogel layer comprising a first major surface and opposing major surface. The electrode further comprises a discontinuous primer layer disposed on the first major surface ionically-conducting hydrogel layer and an electrically conductive member or a connector component thereof, in contact with the first major surface of the ionically-conducting hydrogel layer. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a hydrogel layer comprising a first major surface and opposing major surface; a discontinuous hydrophobic primer layer disposed on the first hydrogel layer; and a hydrophobic adhesive or hydrophobic backing bonded to the primer and discontinuous hydrophobic primer layer of the hydrogel.