Other

Graphic Controls Corporation

Frantz Medical Development, Ltd.

Roger E Bremer

Raymond M Chappel

Charles Anthony, Jr

Richard D Falb

To separate drugs within a chamber (66) formed beneath a dome-like housing (24) from another biomedically active substance, the chamber (66) is subdivided into two chamber portions (166, 266) by enclosing, within said chamber, a plastic bag (101) or by stretching a membrane (102) thereacross. The plastic bag, or the membrane, respectively, is ruptured upon depression of a terminal element (34) located at the apex of the dome of the housing. The subdivision of the chamber into two chamber portions prevents intermixing of the biologically active substances during storage. One of the chamber portions may retain liquids which are suitable in the article, and preferably are separated from another one of the liquids, such as a surfactant, and thus permits a wide choice, of, respectively, biologically active and other substances. Unintended leakage of the substances through a microporous membrane (76) closing off the housing is prevented by applying a cover strip across the membrane.

Long-life biomedical transcutaneous drug application device and method

To separate electrolyte (70) within a chamber (66) formed beneath a dome-like housing (24) from a signal transmission connector (34) and thus prevent corrosion of the terminal portion (38, 40) exposed to the interior of the chamber by the electrolyte, the interior of the chamber (66) is subdivided into two chambers (166, 266) by enclosing within said chamber a plastic bag (101) or stretching a membrane (102) thereacross, the subdividing means (101, 102) being ruptured upon depression of the contact terminal (34) of the housing; the electrolyte is retained solely within the chamber (266, 266a) separate from the interior portion (38, 40) of the terminal so that the corrosive influence of the electrolyte is prevented from attacking the metal of the terminal prior to use of the electrode, and during storage. Preferably, the chamber (166, 166a) to which also the terminal is exposed may retain other liquids which are inert with respect to the electrode, and which, preferably, are also separated from the electrolyte, such as a surfactant ( 170) to, additionally, permit a wider choice of, respectively, electrolytes and surfactants without unintended leakage of electrolyte through the microporous membrane (76)closing off the housing.

Long-life biomedical application device, particularly electrode, and

A disposable biomedical electrode which includes a vaulted dome-like electrolyte-containing chamber or cavity bridged at its open bottom by a highly flexible and conformable microporous membrane, the latter being covered with an adhesively-secured protective film the film being strippable preparatory to adhesively securing the electrode to a body surface. The electrode material and shape are such that the vaulted housing is physically distortable upon downward pressure applied thereto, thereby to force the electrolyte to diffuse through the microporous membrane into positive and low-electrical-resistance contact with the skin surface of a subject. Concurrently, the internal volume of the electrolyte-containing chamber having been materially reduced, the housing maintains a positive, resilient, sustained pressure of electrolyte against the skin surface ensuring enhanced, low-impedance electrical continuity between the skin of a subject and the electrode terminal, thereby to minimize objectionable disruptive variations in signal strength, and to ensure instantaneous electrical response and rapid stabilization, enhanced through an improved electrode-electrolyte system. The electrode is further characterized in the utilization of a thixotropic electrolyte which simplifies manufacturing procedures and extends shelf life, and in the incorporation of a proteolytic agent and a surfactant in the electrolyte to improve electrical contact between the electrolyte and the signal-emitting body surface.

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Fort Lee, NJ, United States of America

Roger E Bremer