Medical Electrode with Impedance Gradient for Defibrillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defibrillation electrodes face challenges in meeting defibrillation recovery characteristics, leading to potential life-threatening delays and skin irritation due to high current density and uneven energy distribution, limiting their use in critical care environments.
Innovation Solution
A medical electrode design featuring a conductive electrode member with disconnected regions and a patient-contacting layer, along with an impedance gradient conductive coating, to optimize current distribution and reduce skin irritation, while ensuring energy delivery for defibrillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-energy levels are delivered for defibrillation, then defibrillation effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation and burning occur due to high current density around the perimeter
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode implements non-uniform current distribution by creating an impedance gradient across its surface, with lower impedance at the perimeter and higher impedance in the center. This local variation in electrical properties redirects current away from the perimeter regions that cause skin burning toward the central area, thereby maintaining effective defibrillation energy delivery while reducing harmful current density at the edges
2Area of stationary object
If energy is distributed over a large area, then current density distribution within the heart is improved, but current density around the perimeter increases causing skin burning
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode uses an impedance gradient that varies local electrical properties across the electrode surface. By positioning lower impedance regions at the perimeter and higher impedance regions in the center, the design modifies current flow patterns to prevent excessive current concentration at the edges while maintaining adequate overall energy distribution across the large electrode area
3Ease of manufacture
If defibrillation recovery characteristics are not met, then electrode manufacturing is simplified, but life-threatening delays occur following defibrillation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode achieves compliance with defibrillation recovery characteristics by modifying the impedance distribution parameter across its surface. The impedance gradient design, with specific impedance values at different locations (lower at perimeter, higher in center), enables the electrode to meet stringent recovery time requirements while maintaining a practical, manufacturable structure using conventional electrode materials and construction methods
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 effectively manages current distribution, minimizing skin irritation and ensuring efficient energy delivery for defibrillation, thus enhancing safety and effectiveness in critical care settings.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically-conductive electrode member having a top face and a bottom face; disconnected regions of electrically-conductive material in electrical contact with the top face of the electrically-conductive electrode member
Implementation Method 2
A new disposable medical electrode, particularly useful for high-energy applications, is disclosed here. The invention provides an electrode that features control of current distribution
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical electrode, and a method of making a medical electrode. The electrode comprises an electrode member having a top face and a bottom face; disconnected regions of electrically conductive material in electrical contact with the top face of the electrode member, patient contacting layer and an electrical connector in electrical contact with the disconnected regions. The disconnected regions reduce patient skin irritation and burning while optimizing electrical impedance of the electrode.