Conductive Polymer Textile Electrodes for Orthopedic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic electrodes face issues with short-term skin contact, skin irritation, corrosion, and signal quality degradation due to sticky hydrogel electrodes, greasy sponge electrodes, and complex production methods, particularly with metallic and non-woven fabric electrodes.

Innovation Solution

An orthopedic device featuring electrodes with electrically conductive textiles partially penetrated by electrically conductive polymers, which provide stable and effective electrical contact without the need for gels, minimizing artifacts and skin irritation, and allowing for easy production and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogel or liquid gel is used in electrodes to ensure effective electrical contact with skin, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the electrode becomes sticky and loses grip on skin after short period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoidskin contact duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the conductive medium from liquid gel to solid conductive polymer material. This parameter change eliminates the sticky nature and gravitational leakage issues while maintaining electrical conductivity and skin contact capability throughout the wearing period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials combining conductive polymer with textile substrate to create an electrode that integrates structural support, electrical conductivity, and skin contact functionality in a single non-sticky component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metallic electrodes (silver textiles) are used to ensure electrical conductivity and anti-bacterial effect, then conductivity is improved, but skin irritation and corrosion occur during long-term wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition from reactive metallic silver to biocompatible conductive polymer, eliminating skin irritation and corrosion while preserving electrical conductivity through the polymer's intrinsic conductive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive polymer electrode can be replaced easily and is designed for long-term wear without degradation, eliminating the need for anti-bacterial metallic properties while maintaining conductivity throughout the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If non-woven fabric is partially introduced in conductive polymer layer to retain liquid, then liquid retention is improved, but production complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid retentionVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the non-woven fabric layer from the electrode structure, relying solely on the conductive polymer material to provide both structural integrity and liquid management through its inherent properties, thereby simplifying production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the conductive polymer as a standalone composite material that combines the functions previously requiring multiple layers (structural support, conductivity, and liquid retention), reducing production complexity while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 ensures robust, long-lasting electrical contact and reduced production costs by using electrically conductive textiles and polymers, maintaining signal quality and preventing skin irritation, while allowing for easy electrode replacement and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one electrode comprises an electrically conductive textile and an electrically conductive polymer, wherein the electrically conductive textile is partially penetrated by the electrically conductive polymer and arranged in such a way that it comes into contact with the body part when the base body is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12097369B2Orthopedic device

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 OTTOBOCK SE & CO KGAA

AI summary

An orthopedic device with a base body for applying to a body part of a wearer, and at least one electrode for transcutaneously transmitting electrical signals. The at least one electrode features an electrically conductive textile and an electrically conductive polymer, wherein the electrically conductive textile is partially penetrated by the electrically inductive polymer and arranged in such a way that it comes into contact with the body part when the base body is applied.