Skin Screw Electrodes with Angled Teeth for Stable EEG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EEG electrodes face challenges with hair interference, adhesive issues, pain during insertion, and instability due to body movement, leading to increased labor and facility costs, and limited application due to tethering effects.
Innovation Solution
The electrodes feature small, angled teeth that penetrate the stratum corneum for secure attachment without pain, using magnetic leads for connection and optional rubber rings for protection, allowing for quick and stable attachment on hairy skin without adhesives or shaving, and providing excellent electrical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive electrodes are used on hairy skin, then electrical contact can be achieved, but hair interference prevents stable adhesion and requires shaving or extensive preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the teeth from the electrode body, allowing them to penetrate the skin independently while the electrode body remains on the surface. This separation enables the teeth to bypass hair interference and directly contact the skin for stable electrical connection without requiring shaving or extensive adhesive preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is divided into distinct functional components: penetrating teeth for skin insertion and electrical contact, and a body for housing electronic components. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the teeth penetrate through hair to reach the skin, while the body provides stable mounting for electronics
2Reliability
If needle electrodes are inserted under the skin for improved electrical access, then electrical contact is enhanced, but patient pain and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are designed with specific local properties - sharp tips for penetrating the stratum corneum and broader bases for stable anchoring. This localized differentiation allows minimal penetration depth sufficient for electrical contact while avoiding deeper tissue insertion that would cause pain or safety issues
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting the entire electrode under the skin as with needle electrodes, the invention inverts the approach by having the teeth penetrate outward from the surface electrode body, achieving sub-epidermal contact without the need for deep insertion or surgical procedures
3Reliability
If wire leads are attached to electrodes for signal recording, then electrical connection is established, but the leads become tethers that limit patient movement and cause electrode disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic connection between the electrode body and wire lead allows for dynamic interaction - the magnetic force provides sufficient holding strength during normal movement while allowing the lead to flex and move with the patient. This dynamic connection maintains electrical contact without restricting patient mobility or causing electrode disengagement
4Quantity of substance
If multiple electrodes are affixed to the scalp for large-array EEG, then comprehensive physiological recording is achieved, but labor and facility costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are pre-formed on the electrode body during manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual skin preparation or adhesive application during installation. This preliminary preparation allows electrodes to be quickly attached to the scalp in large arrays without proportionally increasing labor costs
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 electrodes offer superior stability and electrical access, reducing discomfort and installation time, and enabling efficient use in large-array EEG and EMG recordings with reduced tethering limitations, facilitating wireless operation and integration with electronic components for diverse physiological measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode may include a magnetic lead which magnetically connects the electrode to a signal recording device
Implementation Method 2
The electrode teeth may be oriented at an angle such that the teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and anchor the electrode in the skin
Data Source
AI summary
Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes are disclosed that may include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation. The shallow and relatively long teeth run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient's skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the tiny teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and move nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum, thus anchoring the electrode securely to the skin. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the small teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may be fabricated in a variety of geometries including cylindrical, disk, and blunt bullet or top shapes. In some instances, the electrodes may be connected to detachable leads having magnetic properties.