Transcutaneous Electrode with Embedded Conductive Polymer Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrodes for transcutaneous electrical signal transmission are unsuitable for long-term use due to skin irritation, mechanical stress, and intermittent electrical contact caused by sticky gel pads and movement, leading to suboptimal positioning and potential therapy failure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrode design featuring a nanofiber fleece as the first layer, partially penetrated by an electrically conductive polymer layer with electronically conductive particles, and an electrode contacting layer that protrudes on the opposite side, ensuring stable ionically conductive contact and mechanical durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gel pad containing ionically conductive liquid gel is used to ensure good adhesion to the skin, then electrical contact between the electrode and patient's skin is improved, but the electrode becomes very sticky and causes skin irritation during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into distinct functional layers: a non-conductive carrier material layer, a conductive gel layer, and a conductive textile layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the drawbacks of using gel alone - the gel provides conductivity while the textile layer prevents direct sticky contact with skin and provides mechanical durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode uses a composite structure combining non-conductive carrier material, ionically conductive gel, and electrically conductive textile fibers. This composite approach integrates the advantages of each material: the carrier provides structural support, the gel provides ionic conductivity, and the textile provides electron conductivity and reduced skin irritation.
2Reliability
If a gel pad is used to maintain electrical contact, then good adhesion is achieved in the short term, but relative movement between skin and electrode causes detachment and reattachment during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive textile layer within the gel pad can dynamically adapt to skin movements and deformations. The flexible textile structure allows the electrode to maintain contact during patient movement and muscle contractions without detaching, as the textile stretches and moves with the skin rather than resisting it.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design changes the physical parameters of the contact interface by incorporating a flexible textile structure with specific mechanical properties (elasticity, stretchability) that match skin movement characteristics. This allows the electrode to maintain electrical contact during extended wear despite dynamic skin movements.
3Reliability
If a metallic sensor is attached to the gel pad to ensure electrical contact, then electrical signals can be transmitted, but breaks in contact can occur due to significant movement during extended wear
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode uses a flexible conductive textile layer instead of rigid metallic sensors. This flexible textile can bend, stretch, and move with the skin without breaking electrical contact, maintaining reliable signal transmission during extended wear and significant body movements.
4Reliability
If a conductive cloth impregnated with conductive adhesive is used for direct contact, then electrical signals can be coupled directly into the skin, but the adhesive becomes sticky and causes skin irritation during prolonged treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive textile layer acts as an intermediary between the conductive gel and the skin. It provides the necessary electrical conductivity while preventing direct contact between the sticky gel adhesive and the skin, thereby eliminating skin irritation during prolonged treatments.
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 maintains optimal contact and electrical conductivity during movement, reducing skin irritation and ensuring continuous therapy or monitoring without detachment or displacement, even in areas prone to strong movement.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer (101), in particular a nanofiber fleece, designed to retain a liquid, at least in part by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
an electrically conductive polymer layer (10) containing conductive particles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode (1) for transcutaneously transmitting electrical signals, said electrode comprising a) a first layer that is designed to retain a liquid, also at least as a result of a capillary force, and b) an electrically conductive polymer layer (10) which contains conductive particles, the first layer being partially permeated by the polymer layer (10) such that it protrudes out of said polymer layer (10) on at least one first side, and the electrode (1) having an electrode-contacting layer (14) which is partially embedded into the polymer layer (10) such that it protrudes out of said polymer layer (10) on a second side which lies opposite the first side.