Medical Electrode Current Distribution via Pre-formed Mat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical electrodes face challenges in manufacturing due to the manual and time-consuming process of fanning out individual conductor strands, which is costly and inefficient, and require X-ray transmissivity for multifunctional applications.

Innovation Solution

A medical electrode design featuring an unfanned, unsheathed electrical conductor with an energy blocking layer and a current distributing structure, including a current distributing layer and mat, that disperses charge for effective energy distribution without the need for manual fanning, allowing for automated manufacturing and X-ray transmissivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If individual conductor strands are fanned out and attached to a current distributing mat, then current distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fanning operation from the manufacturing process by using a pre-formed mat structure that inherently provides current distribution without requiring manual separation of conductor strands. The mat is attached as a single unit rather than requiring individual strand manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The current distributing mat serves as an intermediary component between the bundled conductor strands and the electrode member. It mediates the current distribution function without requiring the conductors to be fanned out, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining current distribution effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual fanning of conductor strands is performed, then current distribution is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The current distributing mat is prepared in advance as a pre-formed component with the appropriate structure for current distribution. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual fanning operations during the electrode assembly process, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable pre-formed mat that is attached to the electrode and remains in place during use. This single-use component approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex assembly operations while ensuring consistent current distribution performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If conductor strands are fanned out, then current density distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent density distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mat structure acts as an intermediary that provides current density distribution without requiring the conductors to be fanned out. It translates the bundled conductor input into a distributed current output, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired current density distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameter of the current distributing element from individual fanned strands to a continuous mat structure. This parameter change maintains the current distribution function while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design simplifies and cost-reduces the manufacturing process while ensuring effective energy distribution and X-ray transmissivity, reducing the risk of skin irritation and burns by dispersing current uniformly.

Implementation Method 1

an energy blocking layer disposed between the electrode member and the unfanned, unsheathed end portion of the electrical conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy blocking:

Implementation Method 2

A current distributing structure is provided for conducting and distributing energy to an area of the electrode member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction and charge distribution: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8965534B2Apparatus and method for energy distribution in a medical electrode

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

A medical electrode includes an electrode member having a top face and a bottom face, an electrical conductor having an unfanned, unsheathed end portion for conducting energy between the electrode member and a medical device, and a patient contacting layer secured to at least a portion of the bottom face of the electrode member. An energy blocking layer is disposed between the unfanned conductor end portion and the electrode member to prevent immediate transfer of energy to the electrode member. A current distributing structure is described to conduct and distribute energy to the electrode member.