Hydrogel Medical Electrode with Sensory Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical electrodes require improved comfort and feedback mechanisms to ensure proper application and function, as existing hydrogel conductive compositions do not adequately address patient comfort or provide sensory feedback.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hydrogels with warming or cooling components, along with electrolytes and additives, into medical electrodes to enhance patient comfort and provide sensory feedback upon contact with skin, while maintaining adhesive and conductive properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogel is used as conductive composition in medical electrodes, then conductivity and adhesion are improved, but patient comfort and sensory feedback are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the hydrogel by incorporating specific components (menthol for cooling, capsaicin for warming, aloe vera for soothing) to change its sensory interaction with skin, transforming it from a purely functional conductive material to one that also provides comfort feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel formulation by combining base hydrogel materials with multiple active ingredients including cooling agents, warming agents, and soothing components, resulting in a multi-functional conductive composition that simultaneously provides electrical conductivity, adhesion, and patient comfort
2Ease of operation
If cooling components are added to hydrogel, then patient comfort is improved, but manufacturing precision and composition stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for cooling components (0.01% to 20% by weight) to optimize the balance between providing sufficient cooling sensation and maintaining composition stability during manufacturing and storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional components at different concentrations within the same hydrogel matrix, allowing localized optimization where cooling agents provide patient comfort while the overall composition maintains manufacturing stability through controlled formulation
3Ease of operation
If warming components are added to hydrogel, then patient comfort is improved, but the amount control and consistency may become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a controlled parameter range for warming components (0.01% to 1% by weight) that is narrower than cooling components, reflecting the need for more precise control due to the potency of warming agents and their potential to cause skin irritation if overdosed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates warming agents as specific functional additives within the hydrogel matrix, allowing precise control of their concentration and distribution to achieve consistent therapeutic effect while maintaining manufacturing reliability
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 hydrogel-based medical electrodes provide enhanced patient comfort and sensory feedback, ensuring correct application and functionality, while maintaining effective adhesion and conductivity for medical equipment use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one component capable of providing either a cooling or warming sensation upon contact with tissue of a patient
Implementation Method 2
at least one component capable of providing either a cooling or warming sensation upon contact with tissue of a patient
Implementation Method 3
Medical electrodes are used to transmit electrical signals or currents between the body of a patient and external medical equipment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides electrodes that possess hydrogels for contacting skin. In embodiments, an electrode of the present disclosure may include a substrate and a conductive composition on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate, the conductive composition including at least one hydrogel and at least one component capable of providing either a cooling or warming sensation upon electrical stimulation. Methods for forming these hydrogels and electrodes are also provided.