Repositionable Surface Electrodes Using Silicone Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface electrodes with acrylic adhesives are not repositionable due to saturation with dead skin cells, leading to poor adhesion and skin irritation, while hydrogel-based electrodes fail to maintain adhesion in wet conditions, causing detachment during extended monitoring periods.

Innovation Solution

The use of a silicone-based adhesive layer that avoids the electrode gel channel, allowing for repositionable surface electrodes that maintain adhesion without becoming saturated with skin cells, even in wet conditions, and can be easily reattached without causing skin irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If acrylic adhesive is used to adhere surface electrodes to patient skin, then initial adhesion strength is achieved, but the adhesive becomes saturated with dead skin cells and loses repositionability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidrepositionability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the adhesive from acrylic-based to silicone-based. Silicone adhesive has different molecular properties that prevent saturation with dead skin cells, allowing the electrode to be removed and repositioned multiple times while maintaining adhesion strength. This material parameter change resolves the contradiction between initial adhesion and repositionability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If hydrogel-based adhesive is used to enable repositioning, then repositionability is achieved, but adhesion fails in wet conditions causing detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverepositionabilityVSAvoidadhesion reliability in wet conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adhesive material parameter from hydrogel-based to silicone-based. Silicone adhesive is hydrophobic and maintains its adhesive properties in wet conditions, preventing electrode detachment during extended monitoring periods while still allowing for repositioning. This resolves the contradiction between repositionability and reliability in wet environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If acrylic adhesive is used for strong adhesion, then electrode stability is achieved, but skin irritation occurs upon removal and reapplication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode stabilityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adhesive chemistry from acrylic to silicone. Silicone adhesive provides stable adhesion during monitoring but can be removed without the aggressive peeling that causes skin cell damage and irritation. The material's flexibility and gentler bonding mechanism reduce harmful effects on patient skin while maintaining electrode stability.

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

The silicone adhesive layer ensures consistent adhesion and reusability of surface electrodes, reducing skin irritation and the need for frequent replacements, while allowing for intuitive and accurate application of electrode sets, optimizing physiological signal recording.

Implementation Method 1

A silicone adhesive layer is provided on the bottom side of the substrate, avoiding the hole and the electrode gel channel, wherein the silicone adhesive layer is configured to adhere the surface electrode to the patient's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

An electrode gel channel is configured to conduct potentials from the patient's skin to the active electrode layer, the electrode gel channel extending through the hole in the first substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11278243B2Repositionable surface electrodes

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A repositionable surface electrode for patient monitoring includes an active electrode layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and a leadwire connected to the active electrode layer. A first substrate has a top side, a bottom side, and a hole there through. The first substrate is positioned below the bottom surface of the active electrode layer such that the hole is aligned with the active electrode layer. An electrode gel channel is configured to conduct potentials from the patient's skin to the active electrode layer, the electrode gel channel extending through the hole in the first substrate. A silicone layer on the bottom side of the first substrate, avoiding the hole and the electrode channel, is configured to adhere the surface electrode to the patient's skin and to be removed from the patient's skin without becoming saturated with skin cells such that the electrode repositionable on the patient.