The present invention is characterized by a construction wherein a magnet is provided either to the connector or the ECG electrode, and a magnetic material or a magnet to the other, and both are stuck by magnetic attraction. Subsequently, a water penetration prevention sealing material, comprising a closed-cell type foam material, is interposed between the electrode case and the connector. Due to this construction, electric signals do not leak into the water and the connector is not pressed against the electrode.

An electrode arrangement for bioelectric signals, especially for EKG measurements comprises at least one electrode element in which the material in contact with the skin includes a p-n semiconductor. Preferably the test electrode and a reference or neutral electrode are joined in a single unit in relatively close proximity.

Physiological electrodes are provided for use with a magnetic connector to complete an electrical circuit between the body of a patient and an electrical instrument. These electrodes contain a ferromagnetic material to complete a magnetic circuit with a magnetic member on an associated lead wire. This ferromagnetic material is included in an electrically conductive electrode element that contains an electrically conductive material, such as a saline gel, and the ferromagnetic material is isolated from the electrically conductive medium to prevent corrosion. The electrodes are provided with an arrangement for securing the electrode element to the body of a patient, and a separating member is provided to prevent the electrically conductive electrode element from contacting the skin of the patient in certain applications. In some embodiments, an appropriate restraining structure is provided to minimize the possibility of accidental disconnect.

A method and apparatus for biopotential sensing and stimulation are provided including a sensory component, a biopotential sensor electrode, and a biopotential sensory electrode system. The sensory component includes a first layer of electrically conductive material coupled among a biopotential signal source and a dielectric layer. A second layer of electrically conductive material is coupled among the dielectric layer, resistive elements, a charge balancing current source and sink, and circuits of the associated biopotential electrode. The biopotential sensor electrode includes the sensory component, conditioning components, an interface, and a power source. Stimulation components may also be included to provide stimulation signals to the biopotential signal source. The interface transfers signals to external instrumentation using wireless or wired connections. The power source includes batteries, solar cells, and telemetry power sources. The biopotential sensory electrode system includes electrode arrays and a receiver section that transfers biopotential signals among the biopotential signal source and external instrumentation and equipment. A reference link among the sensor electrodes of an array is provided by a coupling that includes current injection to a surface of the biopotential signal source, or a common wire to all electrodes.

A method and apparatus for biopotential sensing and stimulation are provided including a sensory component, a biopotential sensor electrode, and a biopotential sensory electrode system. The sensory component includes a first layer of electrically conductive material coupled among a biopotential signal source and a dielectric layer. A second layer of electrically conductive material is coupled among the dielectric layer, resistive elements, a charge balancing current source and sink, and circuits of the associated biopotential electrode. The biopotential sensor electrode includes the sensory component, conditioning components, an interface, and a power source. Stimulation components may also be included to provide stimulation signals to the biopotential signal source. The interface transfers signals to external instrumentation using wireless or wired connections. The power source includes batteries, solar cells, and telemetry power sources. The biopotential sensory electrode system includes electrode arrays and a receiver section that transfers biopotential signals among the biopotential signal source and external instrumentation and equipment. A reference link among the sensor electrodes of an array is provided by a coupling that includes current injection to a surface of the biopotential signal source, or a common wire to all electrodes.