Skin preparation device and method used in the application of medical

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 therebetween and the voltage, to an adjustable reference voltage. When the rectified voltage drops to the reference voltage a manually actuated timer powering the motor is reset if the timer has not already been reset after the predetermined period.