초록 ▼

An electrode having multiple conductive polymer pads for performing multiple, electrical physiological functions from a single set of electrodes with respect to a patient at or about the same time, such as defibrillating, pacing, and monitoring of that patient\s heart, is described. The electrode is

An electrode having multiple conductive polymer pads for performing multiple, electrical physiological functions from a single set of electrodes with respect to a patient at or about the same time, such as defibrillating, pacing, and monitoring of that patient\s heart, is described. The electrode is advantageously integrated into a cardiac system having stimulating means coupled to the electrode for delivering electrical impulses to the electrode to be used to stimulate the patient\s heart, and monitoring means also coupled to the electrode for receiving and displaying electrical impulses produced by the patient\s heart. The conductive polymers which comprise the pads are optionally inherently adhesive, so that the pads will adhere to a patient\s body over their entire surface area. Moveover, they are rubber-based, will not smear or leave a residue on a patient\s skin, have lower impedance, and depolarize faster compared with present saline-based gels, further contributing to the multi-functional capability. Also, the lower impedance enables the voltage generator in the cardiac system of which the electrode is a part to deliver a particular current pulse with less voltage, enabling the voltage generator, and the cardiac system in general, to be smaller, more compact, and less costly.

대표청구항 ▼

An electrode for stimulating and monitoring a patient\s heart at or about the same time comprising: a stimulating conductive polymer pad having a first surface for contacting a patient and delivering stimulating electrical impulses to that patient\s heart, and having a second surface; a monitoring c

An electrode for stimulating and monitoring a patient\s heart at or about the same time comprising: a stimulating conductive polymer pad having a first surface for contacting a patient and delivering stimulating electrical impulses to that patient\s heart, and having a second surface; a monitoring conductive polymer pad having a first surface smaller in area than said stimulating pad first surface for contacting that patient and receiving electrical impulses from that patient\s heart at or about the same time that said stimulating electrical impulses are being delivered, and having a second surface; a peelable cover substantially covering said first polymer pad surfaces when the electrode is not in use; a metal foil cover having substantially the same shape as the stimulating conductive polymer pad and having a front surface substantially covering the second surface thereof, and having a back surface; a metal foil cover having substantially the same shape as the monitoring conductive polymer pad and having a front surface substantially covering the second surface thereof, and having a back surface; a plastic foam cover adhered against the back surfaces of the metal foil covers and having two holes exposing apart of each metal foil cover; two insulated wires having exposed ends which are respectively inserted into the two holes in the plastic foam cover and electrically coupled to the exposed part of the metal foil covers; and a wire retainer placed over the holes in the plastic foam cover after the wires have been inserted, which adheres to the plastic foam cover.