Medical Electrode With Protective Disc For Signal Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical electrodes are prone to signal artifacts induced by electrostatic noise and mechanical impact, which complicates visual inspection of signals by clinicians and can lead to misinterpretation or false alarms.
Innovation Solution
A medical electrode design featuring a protective disc-formed structure with a lid and outer rim that mechanically reinforces the contact medium chamber, reducing mechanical impact, combined with electrostatic shielding that covers the entire top side of the electrode, including the electric connector, to shield against electrostatic charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple electrode structure is used, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but signal quality deteriorates due to electrostatic noise and mechanical impact artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible foil layer (thin film) that is welded to the foam disc to cover the aperture and provide electrostatic shielding. This thin film structure effectively blocks electrostatic noise while maintaining the flexibility needed for skin contact, thus improving signal quality without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective cover (lid) that mechanically reinforces the contact medium chamber before mechanical impact occurs. This pre protective structure cushions against mechanical impacts from clothing or patient movement, preventing artifacts before they can affect the sensor, thereby improving signal reliability
2Reliability
If electrostatic shielding and protective structures are added, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrostatic shielding function and the protective cover function into a single integrated structure. The foil layer is welded directly to the foam disc, combining multiple protective functions in one component, which reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies manufacturing despite adding functional capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical reinforcement to cushion impacts, acts as an electrostatic shield to block noise, and protects the contact medium chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Strength
If the contact medium chamber is mechanically reinforced, then resistance to mechanical impact is improved, but the softness and comfort of the electrode may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible foil layer welded to the foam disc to provide mechanical reinforcement. The flexibility of the foil ensures that the electrode remains soft and comfortable for skin contact while still providing the necessary structural support to resist mechanical impacts from clothing or patient movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining foam disc and foil layer with different mechanical properties. The foam provides softness and comfort, while the foil provides mechanical reinforcement and electrostatic shielding. This composite approach allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve comfort and impact resistance
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 design significantly reduces signal artifacts caused by mechanical impact and electrostatic noise, improving signal quality without the need for software filtering, thereby enhancing the reliability of clinical readings.
Implementation Method 1
the plastic foil being welded to the plastic foam disc along a weld line surrounding the aperture
Implementation Method 2
a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the bottom side of the plastic foam disc
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The medical electrode (1) includes a plastic foam disc (2) with an aperture (5) extending from a top side to a bottom side, thereby forming a contact medium chamber. A plastic foil (7) is arranged on the top side of the plastic foam disc, the bottom side of the plastic foil being welded to the top side of the plastic foam disc along a weld line (10) surrounding the aperture. An electric connector (11) is mounted eccentrically on the plastic foil, and a sensor strip (15) is disposed in the contact medium chamber and is electrically connected to the electric connector. A layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive (16) is applied to the bottom side of the plastic foam disc. A protective disc-formed structure (20) has a lid (21) and an outer rim (22) and is arranged at the top side of the plastic foam disc, and the outer rim of the protective disc-formed structure is attached to the medical electrode.