Patent · US Expired

Skin preparation device and method used in the application of medical electrodes

US4274419A · kind A · utility

68Cited by
5References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 19, 1979
Grant dateJun 23, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 19, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/325
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and device for preparing the skin of a patient to ensure good electrical contact between a medical electrode and the patient's skin. The electrode or the tips of the preparation device includes an abrasive pad impregnated with an electrolyte for providing good electrical contact with the patient's skin. When an electrode is used, the pad is centrally mounted and is rotated in a housing having an adhesive annular rim which is secured to the skin. The pad is rotatably driven by the preparation device which continuously measures the impedance between the pad of the electrode and a reference electrode, which is also secured to the skin. A motor in the preparation device rotates the pad to abrade the skin responsive to actuation of a switch. Rotation of the pad terminates within a predetermined period or when the impedance between the pad and reference electrode falls to a predetermined value, whichever occurs first. The impedance between the electrode being applied and the reference electrode is measured by producing an alternating current having a constant magnitude between the electrodes, rectifying the voltage across the electrodes, which is proportional to the impedance th…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.