Disposable electrodes capable of conforming to irregular skin surfaces comprise a flexible, electrically nonconductive planar sheet material having one surface thereof coated with a skin adhesive adapted to be applied directly to the skin of the patient, the nonconductive planar body having a projecting tab to which an electrical connection can be made. A conductive foil sheet is adhered to the adhesive coating of the planar sheet, the foil being contiguous with the tab. A nonconductive planar spacing sheet having a surface area smaller than that of the planar sheet is adhered to the adhesive coated surface of the sheet material to overlap a portion of the foil sheet extending from the tab and leave an exposed area of adhesive around the circumference of the spacing sheet for adhering the electrode to the skin of the patient. The overlapped portion of the spacing sheet and foil creates an opening into the interior of the electrode for injection of a liquid electrolyte after the electrode is applied to the skin. The spacing sheet is preferably a non-conductive fine mesh screen. The electrodes are primarily useful in electrically stimulating the muscle complex that works synergistically to close the human mandible.
A diagnostic electrode adapted to be affixed to a patient's body for diagnostic medical tests comprising a foam backing layer coated with an adhesive, a tin foil layer bonded to said backing layer and a conductive gel coated on a portion of the tin foil layer. The tin foil layer is of a smaller size than the backing layer and is oriented thereon such that the backing layer forms a U-shaped border around the tin foil layer, to thereby supplement the conductive gel in affixing the electrode to the patient's body. The foam backing layer further provides a surface which a clip, electrically coupled to diagnostic equipment, can securely bite into, in order to securely grip the electrode. A plurality of electrodes are arranged on a release web with their clip tabs intermeshing in side-by-side relation, and extending over a central fold line in the web whereby when the web is folded, the clip tabs are exposed for ease of grasping or securing a lead clip.
A method of nerve therapy for treating nerves by electrical stimulation characterized by using pulses of a trapezoidal waveform such that the waveform, as viewed from a positive electrode has a flat positive potential with a negative pip that is a point made by convergence of the sides with no flat or curved portion. The therapy is carried out by contacting a patient's skin with a pair of electrodes such that the positive electrode is orientated nearest the brain via the nerves conducting channels. The pulses with a trapezoidal waveform occur at a frequency selected within the range of 60 to 250 cycles per second, preferably within the range of 100 to 150 cycles per second with a peak to peak voltage of 55v or less (e.g., 19 to 25 volts.) These pulses are each defined as a pulse having a flat top portion with leading and trailing side portions which slope away from the top portion as the electrical potential drops toward the zero axis and proceeds into the negative pip.
A disposable medical electrode has a compliant support layer with an adhesive undersurface. The layer supports a gel pad having a portion exposed at the undersurface and a contact element having a portion exposed at its upper surface. The contact element and gel pad are offset on the support layer with a conductive flexible foil strip extending between them so that movement of the contact element does not disturb the conductive path between that element and the skin area to which the electrode is adhered.
An electrode for detecting an electric biological signal, in particular an electrocardiographic signal, and presenting a metal conducting disk and a rigid net of constant thickness and superimposed on the metal disk. A small amount of conducting fluid is poured on to and spreads throughout the net to form a layer of conducting fluid superimposed on the metal disk and presenting a constant thickness.
An electrode for detecting an electric biological signal, in particular an electrocardiographic signal, and having a metal conducting disk, and a rigid disk having holes and which is superimposed on and separated from the metal disk by a gap of constant thickness. A small amount of conducting liquid is poured on the electrode and settles inside all the holes and inside the gap to form a layer of conducting liquid superimposed on the metal disk and of constant thickness.
