Electrode Pad Moisture Permeability for Low-Frequency Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrode pads used in low-frequency therapy often swell and become difficult to adhere to the skin when exposed to sweat or moisture, leading to skin irritation and rash, due to the gel layer's absorption of liquids and vapors.
Innovation Solution
An electrode pad design featuring a conductive material with moisture and liquid permeability, combined with a fast-drying insulating member and a gel layer that includes a moisture and liquid absorbing structure, such as holes or fibrous materials, to enhance moisture dissipation and prevent skin irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gel layer absorbs liquid or vapor from the living body, then the gel layer provides conductivity and adhesion, but the gel layer swells and becomes hard to adhere or easy to break off
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive material is designed with moisture permeability and liquid permeability, allowing it to function as a porous structure that enables controlled passage of liquids and vapors while maintaining structural integrity. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the gel layer to remain conductive and adhesive without excessive swelling that would compromise adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast-drying member acts as an intermediary between the gel layer and the external environment. It absorbs excess moisture and vapor before they can cause the gel layer to swell excessively, thereby maintaining adhesion while still allowing the gel to function properly.
2Reliability
If the gel layer continues to be in contact with the skin while absorbing liquid or vapor, then the gel layer maintains conductivity, but the skin is likely to become swollen or develop a rash
Solution Approach 1:
The fast-drying member serves as a protective intermediary between the gel layer and the skin. It absorbs excess moisture and vapor, preventing direct prolonged contact between the saturated gel and the skin, thereby eliminating skin irritation while preserving the gel's conductivity function.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture-permeable conductive material allows controlled vapor transmission away from the skin surface, preventing moisture accumulation that would cause skin swelling or rash, while maintaining electrical conductivity for therapy function.
3Reliability
If the conductive material has moisture permeability and liquid permeability, then liquid and vapor are released toward the fast-drying member, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pad uses a composite structure combining moisture-permeable conductive material with a fast-drying insulating member. This composite design achieves the dual function of moisture management and electrical conduction without requiring overly complex single-material solutions, balancing performance with manufacturability.
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 pad achieves excellent moisture permeability, preventing skin irritation and ensuring effective dissipation of sweat and vapors, thereby maintaining adhesion and comfort during use.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive material having moisture permeability and liquid permeability
Implementation Method 2
the gel layer may have hygroscopicity and liquid absorbency
Implementation Method 3
The fast-drying member dries such liquid and vapor quickly
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode pad is an electrode pad for low-frequency therapy used in contact with a living body. The electrode pad includes a conductive material having moisture permeability and liquid permeability and a fast-drying member having insulating properties provided on a first face. The conductive material includes a first face facing the side opposite to the side where the body surface of a user is located in a contact state for the electrode pad to be in contact with the living body, and a second face facing the body surface of the user in the contact state.