Radiolucent Biomedical Electrode with Composite Conductive Gel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resuscitation efforts for cardiac arrest and other health ailments are costly and have a limited success rate, with existing biomedical electrodes lacking multifunctionality and radiolucency, which hinders effective treatment and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional biomedical electrode system that includes a radiolucent electrode with a conductive gel layer, bonding layer, and leadwire, capable of applying electric shocks, stimulating muscle contraction, and monitoring electrical activity, while being X-Ray transmissive to allow for medical diagnosis without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a biomedical electrode is designed to be radiolucent for medical imaging, then X-Ray transmissivity is improved, but the structural integrity and electrical conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode uses a composite structure combining radiolucent materials (such as radiolucent foam or plastic substrates) with conductive elements (such as conductive gel, conductive ink, or metal traces). This composite approach allows the electrode to maintain both radiolucency for medical imaging and sufficient electrical conductivity for therapeutic and monitoring functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode structure includes multiple layers (bonding layer, conductive gel layer, leadwire) for multifunctionality, then treatment versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode integrates multiple functions into a single device by combining the backing pad, conductive element, bonding layer, and leadwire into one unified structure. The backing pad provides mechanical support and adhesion, the conductive element delivers electrical therapy and monitors signals, the bonding layer ensures secure attachment, and the leadwire provides electrical connection - all in one integrated electrode assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is designed as a multifunctional device that can simultaneously perform defibrillation, cardiac pacing, and ECG monitoring. The conductive element can deliver high-energy shocks for defibrillation while also delivering low-energy pacing stimuli and recording electrical signals for monitoring, all through the same integrated structure.
3Reliability
If the conductive gel layer covers the entire bottom surface of the conductive element, then electrical contact is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive gel layer is applied selectively to specific regions of the conductive element rather than covering the entire surface uniformly. The gel is concentrated in areas where electrical contact with the patient's skin is most critical, such as the center or high-current-density regions, while reducing or omitting gel in areas where it is less necessary. This localized application maintains effective electrical contact while simplifying manufacturing and reducing material usage.
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 system enhances treatment efficacy by providing a versatile, cost-effective solution for defibrillation, pacing, and monitoring, while ensuring medical imaging quality, thus improving patient care during cardiac-related emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive gel layer covering at least part of a bottom surface of the conductive element
Implementation Method 2
a bonding layer disposed at least in part between the conductive element and the conductive gel layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode and electrodes for a biomedical system is provided. The electrode includes a backing pad with top and bottom surfaces. A conductive element is attached to the bottom surface of the backing pad, and a conductive gel layer covers at least part of the bottom surface of the conductive element. A bonding layer is disposed at least in part between the conductive element and the conductive gel layer. The electrode can include a leadwire with a stripped end length, and at least a portion of the stripped end length is disposed between the conductive element and at least one of the bonding layer and the conductive gel layer.