Extended-Adhesive Electrode System for Ambulatory Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical electrode assemblies experience signal noise due to mechanical instability and movement during ambulatory monitoring, particularly in active patients, as the weight of cables and monitoring equipment can disrupt the impedance between the electrodes and the skin, leading to suboptimal electrogram data quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of extended-adhesive electrodes with a medical electrode assembly and an adhesive extender featuring a unitary flexible sheet with an aperture, where the adhesive face has an inner portion adhered to the electrode assembly and an outer portion adhered to the patient's skin, securing the connector and enhancing mechanical stability while allowing for easy connection and disconnection without removing the adhesive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical electrode assemblies are used with cables and connectors for ambulatory monitoring, then electrogram data can be obtained, but the weight of cables and monitoring equipment causes mechanical instability and movement of electrodes on the patient's skin, introducing noise in the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the electrode system into two functional parts: the medical electrode assembly itself and a separate adhesive extender. The extender remains attached to the skin while the electrode assembly can be disconnected for cable connection/disconnection, separating the stable adhesive function from the connector function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive extender acts as an intermediary element between the patient's skin and the medical electrode assembly. It provides a stable anchor point on the skin that allows the electrode assembly to be securely attached and easily removed/reattached without disturbing the skin-adhesive interface.
2Reliability
If medical tape is used to cover medical electrode assemblies including connecting cables to reduce signal noise, then signal stability improves, but the process becomes burdensome when disconnecting and reconnecting electrical connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the adhesive anchoring function from the electrical connection function. The adhesive extender remains on the skin providing stable attachment, while the electrode assembly with connector can be independently connected and disconnected without removing the extender or disturbing the skin interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive extender is applied to the skin in advance and remains in place throughout the monitoring process. This preliminary action establishes a stable base that allows multiple connections and disconnections of the electrode assembly without requiring reapplication of tape or removal of the electrode from the skin.
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 reduces signal noise to less than ten percent, improving the integrity and quality of electrogram data by maintaining a stable connection between the electrodes and the skin, even during prolonged use and active patient movements.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive face having an inner portion surrounding the aperture adherable to the medical electrode assembly, and an outer portion adherable to the patient's skin surrounding the medical electrode assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The adhesive extenders can be used to cover and surround the medical electrode assemblies on the skin of a patient. A wearable monitor can be used to obtain electrogram data from the patient via the electrodes.