Foldable Disposable Electrode Patch for Neonatal Skin Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical electrode patches often cause skin irritation and fail to adhere effectively in humid environments, particularly on neonates and preterm infants due to the use of adhesive directly on the skin.
Innovation Solution
A disposable electrode patch with a flexible, elongated non-conductive substrate featuring two adhesive areas at opposite ends, allowing the patch to be folded around a body part and pinched together to form a stable assembly, reducing direct skin contact and ensuring adhesion even in humid conditions, while using Ag/AgCl electrodes and an optional electrode paste for measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is applied directly on the skin to fix the electrode patch, then the patch can be secured in place, but skin irritation occurs particularly in neonates and preterm infants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foam layer as an intermediary between the adhesive and the skin. This foam layer acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the adhesive and the sensitive skin of neonates and preterm infants, thereby eliminating skin irritation while maintaining secure adhesion of the electrode patch
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch is divided into distinct functional layers: an adhesive layer, a foam layer, and an electrode layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the adhesive provides attachment, the foam provides skin protection and comfort, and the electrode performs measurement - without the negative effects of direct adhesive-skin contact
2Reliability
If adhesive is used to attach the electrode patch in humid environments, then the patch can be fixed, but adhesion effectiveness is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer serves as an intermediary that is not adversely affected by humidity. It provides a stable attachment surface that maintains adhesion effectiveness in humid environments such as incubators, where direct adhesive-skin contact would fail due to moisture interference
Solution Approach 2:
The foam layer acts as a flexible intermediate structure that maintains its adhesive properties and structural integrity in humid conditions, allowing the electrode patch to remain securely attached to the patient's skin despite the challenging environmental conditions
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 solution provides a stable and non-irritating electrode patch that maintains effective contact and adhesion in humid environments, minimizing movement artifacts and skin irritation, enabling reliable measurements of skin conductance and monitoring of the autonomous nervous system.
Implementation Method 1
A first adhesive material is disposed on a first adhesive area at a first end of the first surface. Likewise, a second adhesive material is disposed on a second adhesive area at a second end of the first surface.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A disposable electrode patch for medical purposes comprises a flexible, elongated substrate with a first and a second surface, a first adhesive material disposed on a first adhesive area at a first end of the first surface, and a second adhesive material disposed on a second adhesive area at a second end of the first surface. Electrodes are arranged between the first and second adhesive areas on the first surface of the substrate. In use, the electrode patch is folded around a body part in such a way that the electrodes on the first surface make contact with the skin of the body part, while the first and second adhesive areas of the first surface are pinched together to form a stable assembly surrounding the body part.