Biomedical electrode with pressurized skin contact

Abstract

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.