Abstract: A wound dressing product is described which includes a flexible backing member that can be vacuum formed to include a depression. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends across the depression side of the flexible backing member. A hydrogel material is positioned in the depression of the flexible backing member and a release liner extends over the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the exposed hydrogel material, which release liner has a selective releasability whereby it can be removed from the wound dressing product intact, leaving a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the hydrogel material exposed.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which may be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection. The electrolyte may be loaded in a sponge engaging the paint or may be in a conductive adhesive layer applied to the substrate. The electrode may also have a second and more aggressive adhesive for skin attachment. A method for producing assemblies of interconnected electrodes is also described.

Abstract: In contrast to the usual practice of bridging a medical electrode conductor to the skin of a patient by way of an interposed electrolyte, the present invention interposes the medical electrode conductor between the skin and an electrolyte which is larger in area than the interposed conductor.

Abstract: A medical electrode intended for short term use has a disposable electrode pad provided with a socket and a reusable electrode conductor which is attached to a lead wire and which has a ridged body adapted to enter and be retained by the socket. The pad includes a pair of spaced foam sheets with patient-contacting adhesive layers on their lower surfaces. An electrolyte gel matrix, preferably formed from conductive adhesive urethane hydrogel, is located between the foam sheets. The socket is formed in a relatively stiff socket plate that overlies the gel matrix and the foam sheets. The socket includes a bore located over the gel matrix shaped to receive the electrode conductor, which is slightly larger than the bore, and may optionally include outwardly extending slits projecting from the bore. A method of manufacturing a strip of the electrode pads on a release liner on a continuous basis is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an electrosurgical patient electrode includes the steps of initially providing an electrode body having a recess defined therein with an electrically conductive bottom surface, and then casting a quantity of uncured hydrogel material into the recess. The gel material is sufficient in volume to fill the recess and is subsequently cured in situ.

Abstract: A medical electrode intended for short term use has a disposable electrode pad provided with a socket and a reusable electrode conductor which is attached to a lead wire and which has a ridged body adapted to enter and be retained by the socket. The pad includes a pair of spaced foam sheets with patient-contacting adhesive layers on their lower surfaces. An electrolyte gel matrix, preferably formed from conductive adhesive urethane hydrogel, is located between the foam sheets. The socket is formed in a relatively stiff socket plate that overlies the gel matrix and the foam sheets. The socket includes a bore located over the gel matrix shaped to receive the electrode conductor, which is slightly larger than the bore, and may optionally include outwardly extending slits projecting from the bore. A method of manufacturing a strip of the electrode pads on a release liner on a continuous basis is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical electrode assembly which is otherwise free of metal in the area of attachment to a patient so as to be X-ray transparent in such area has a conductive plastic electrode conductor with a silver plated and chlorided coating of a thickness between 0.02 and 0.08 mil. The assembly also has a lead wire formed from an elongate cable having carbon fibers in a low density polymeric jacket and a conductive plastic connector having an opening for gripping a stud formed by the conductive plastic electrode conductor.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which may be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection. The electrolyte may be loaded in a sponge engaging the paint or may be in a conductive adhesive layer applied to the substrate. The electrode may also have a second and more aggressive adhesive for skin attachment. A method for producing assemblies of interconnected electrodes is also described.

Abstract: A capacitively coupled indifferent electrode for use in electrosurgical procedures is provided which is safe and reliable in use. The electrode includes a backing material, an electrically conductive metal foil adhered to one surface of the pad, a layer of dielectric material completely overlying the foil, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive covering the dielectric layer. The electrode is placed on a patient's skin and may be connected to the return side of an electrosurgical generator through a cable which is connected through the backing material to the electrode.

Abstract: A disposable electrode pad is provided with a socket for a reusable electrode conductor attached to a lead wire. The pad includes a socket plate having a release coated top surface and overlying a frame having a bore filled with a gel matrix. The pad further includes a flexible clamp plate, part of which is strongly adhered to the frame and the rest of which is adhered to the release coated surface of the socket plate. The socket plate is provided with a bore used as a socket for a reusable, low profile electrode conductor which is fixedly attached to a lead wire having a jack for connection to external monitoring equipment. In use, the electrode pad is applied to the skin of a subject, the releasable part of the clamp plate is peeled away from the socket plate, the electrode conductor is inserted into the bore of the socket plate, and the clamp plate re-adhered to the socket plate in covering relation to the electrode conductor and the end of the lead wire attached thereto.

Abstract: A medical electrode intended for short term use has a disposable electrode pad provided with a socket and a reusable electrode conductor which is attached to a lead wire and which has a ridged body adapted to enter and be retained by the socket. The pad includes a pair of spaced foam sheets with patient-contacting adhesive layers on their lower surfaces. An electrolyte gel matrix, preferably formed from conductive adhesive urethane hydrogel, is located between the foam sheets. The socket is formed in a relatively stiff socket plate that overlies the gel matrix and the foam sheets. The socket includes a bore located over the gel matrix shaped to receive the electrode conductor, which is slightly larger than the bore, and may optionally include outwardly extending slits projecting from the bore. A method of manufacturing a strip of the electrode pads on a release liner on a continuous basis is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrolyte gel matrix, which may be a conductive adhesive such as a urethane hydrogel, is located in a cavity formed in a non-conductive tray. The matrix is adapted to engage the skin of a patient and transmit signals between the skin and an electrode conductor supported by the base of the tray for exchanging signals with peripheral equipment. A stiffening platform adhered to the tray extends across the cavity portion aligned with the conductor to minimize motion artifacts associated with the use of the electrode. The electrode is removably attachable to the skin by an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the tray and by a preferably more aggressive adhesive layer on the lower surface of the platform.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate. After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate. After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate.After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which is required to be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection and protected by a barrier which excludes electrolyte from the remote circuit connection.

Abstract: A medical electrode particularly suited for use as an EEG electrode comprises initially separated electrode conductor and electrolyte carrier components which are united prior to use of the electrode. The electrolyte carrier component comprises a disposable adhesive patch adhered to a disposable sponge member soaked with an electrolyte. The electrode conductor component comprises a reusable conductor ring having an affixed lead wire terminating with a plug-in device for effecting attachment to a monitoring instrument. Prior to use the electrolyte carrier components are stored in one or more evaporation resistant tray devices.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which is required to be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection and protected by a barrier which excludes electrolyte from the remote circuit connection.

Abstract: A medical electrode particularly suited for use as an EEG electrode comprises initially separated electrode conductor and electrolyte carrier components which are united prior to use of the electrode. The electrolyte carrier component comprises a disposable adhesive patch adhered to a disposable sponge member soaked with an electrolyte. The electrode conductor component comprises a reusable conductor ring having an affixed lead wire terminating with a plug-in device for effecting attachment to a monitoring instrument. Prior to use the electrolyte carrier components are stored in one or more evaporation resistant tray devices.