An electrode for sensing signals such as electrocardiograph signals used with an electrolyte is formed from an electrically conductive but galvanicallly inactive material having a galvanically active conductive material at the electrolyte interface. Examples are described including a body formed from a plastic or other non-conductive binder rendered conductive by inclusion of finely divided conductive carbon and having one or more metal particles anchored to the surface of the body which contacts the electrolyte.
A patient's own heart is used as a voltage source for measurement of EKG electrode impedance. The amplitude of an EKG signal obtained while the EKG electrodes are shorted together with an impedance is compared to the amplitude of an EKG signal obtained under identical conditions except that the impedance short is not present. The value of the inter-electrode impedance is then equal to one less than the ratio between the unshorted amplitude and the shorted amplitude times the value of the shorting impedance. In a preferred embodiment, the value of the shorting impedance is made equal to the maximum permitted inter-electrode impedance. Then, if the amplitude of the EKG signal taken from a patient decreases upon temporary insertion of the impedance short to a value less than half of the EKG amplitude obtained without the impedance short, the inter-electrode impedance is too high.
A medical instrumentation electrode apparatus for use in connecting wiring from an external medical instrument, such as an electrocardiograph machine, with an area of a patient's skin. The apparatus includes a vacuum bell which is interconnectible with a resilient bulb for partially evacuating same and causing a pliable ring disposed on the open end of the bell to collapse against a patient's skin. In this manner, a disposable contact held in place within the vacuum bell by a core portion of the bell is held in electrical contact with the skin area. The core portion is integrally formed with the vacuum bell and includes an upper protruding end for connection with the resilient bulb, and is further provided with an air communication passage extending between the bulb and the interior of the vacuum bell.
An improved electrode for living body is proposed which is excellent in the stability and reliability in detecting and transmitting the electric signals generated in a living body by the physiological electric phenomena such as electrocardiographic, electromyographic and electroencephalographic signals. The electrode of the invention is characterized by the material which is mainly a titanium hydride or a mixture of a titanium hydride with silver chloride optionally combined with a metal salt with basicity and a carbon powder, e.g. graphite.
A disconnection checker for lead cords used in low-voltage output type low-frequency beautifying devices. In the upper face of a main body of the beautifying device is a terminal for checking whether each lead cord is disconnected or not when a jack of the lead cord is inserted therein. In the vicinity of the terminal for checking disconnection, an LED lamp lights when the lead cord is not disconnected. Thus, by using the disconnection checker, use of disconnected lead cords is prevented.
A medical electrode apparatus and a kit of components therefor, for use on the skin of a patient in conjunction with an external medical instrument such as an EKG machine. The apparatus includes a resilient bulb member for creating a partial vacuum in a vacuum bell to which it is selectively connected. The vacuum bell is formed with a lower outer concavity surrounding an inner chamber thereof so as to receive therein an electrically-conductive gel material for contact with the patient's skin. Alternatively, the bell may be formed with an annular rim member formed of a closed-cell electrically-conductive sponge material. The vacuum bell is also provided with a connector member for securing therein an electrode terminal of an external medical instrument.
