Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation electrode manufacturing method provided which enables rapid assembly of an electrode. Stretchability is provised by a conductive fabric which includes an array of conductive fibers with interstitial areas therebetween. A conductive adhesive fills interstitial areas of the conductive fabric and provides for adhering the electrode to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode comprised of an electrical terminal member, an ionically conductive layer, a retainer sheet, a medical tape, first and second release liners, and a protective sheet is provided. The base of the electrical terminal member is disposed between the retainer sheet and the ionically conductive layer so that the retainer sheet prevents dislodging of the terminal upon connection and disconnection of a lead-wire. Also disclosed is an economical high speed method of manufacturing electrodes.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode comprising a backing, a biocompatible pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), a bonding sheet, an electrical conductor, and an electrolyte composition is shown. The biocompatible PSA coats one surface of the backing. The bonding sheet has first and second faces smaller in surface area then the backing. The first face is bonded to the biocompatible PSA. The electrical conductor has a top face with first and second surfaces. The first surface spans a portion of the bonding sheet and the second surface adheres to the biocompatible PSA. The electrical conductor has a bottom face with a third surface opposing the first surface and a fourth surface opposing the second surface. In electrical contact with the third surface is the electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition is also, adhered to a portion of bonding sheet. A continuous high speed and low cost method of manufacture is also shown.

Abstract: A sheet (10) of anisotropically conductive material may be fabricated by mixing a quantity of electrically conductive, ferromagnetic particles (16), typically spheres, in an uncured polymer (12). The polymer is then cured in a magnetic field which causes the particles to align in chains (14) each parallel to the lines of the field. In accordance with the invention, a spatially varying magnetic field, comprised of first and second substantially uniformly spaced regions (22 and 24) of high and low field strength, respectively, is applied to the polymer (12) during curing. The difference in the strength of the magnetic field in the first and second regions is such as to give rise to a lateral force on the particles which urges them into the first regions of high field strength where the particles align into chains. Since the first regions of high field strength are substantially uniformly spaced, the chains of particles in the polymer will be likewise substantially uniformly spaced.

Abstract: An anisotropic elastomeric conductor is fabricated by stacking a plurality of metal sheets and elastomeric sheets, where the metal sheets have a plurality of parallel electrically conductive elements formed therein. By coating a curable elastomeric resin on the metal sheets, and then curing the resulting layered structure, a solid elastomeric block having a plurality of parallel electrically conductive elements running its length is obtained. Individual elastomeric conductors suitable for interfacing between electronic components are obtained by slicing the block in a direction perpendicular to the conductors. The conductor slices so obtained are particularly suitable for interfacing between electronic devices having planar arrays of electrical contact pads.

Abstract: Applicators for the electrophoretic and/or electro-osmotic deposition of a medicament across the skin and into the blood stream. The applicator includes a plurality of drug reservoir electrodes, a battery, a plurality of folded members each having an electrically conductive coating on a flexible, non-conductive substrate in electrical contact with the batttery and the drug reservoir electrodes, electrical current conditioning means, a cover adhesively secured to the applicator, and a release liner covering and protecting the drug reservoirs until use. A method of manufacturing the applicator is set forth.

Abstract: An anisotropic elastomeric conductor is fabricated by stacking a plurality of first and second sheets, where the first sheets include a plurality of parallel electrically conductive fibers and the second sheets are composed of electrically insulating material. By introducing a curable elastomeric resin into the layered structure of sheets, and then curing the resin, a solid elastomeric block having a plurality of parallel electrically conductive fibers running its length is obtained. Individual elastomeric conductors suitable for interfacing between electronic components are obtained by slicing the block in a direction perpendicular to the conductors. The conductor slices so obtained are particularly suitable for interfacing between electronic devices having planar arrays of electrical contact pads.

Abstract: A medical electrode comprises a support (10) coated on each face with an adhesive and formed with a through hole. A conductive gel pad (14) is adhered to a first face of the support (10) beneath the through hole and a contact pad (12) of inert electrically conductive liquid impervious material such as silver is adhered to the first face of the support (10) between the support (10) and the gel pad (14) beneath the through hole. A connector (16) is adhered to the second face of the support, is electrically connected through the through hole to the contact pad (12), and leads from the contact pad (12) to the edge of the electrode. A method of making the electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation electrode is provided which may be contoured to the skin areas of a patient and stretched therewith while impulse signals are electrically conducted into the body. This stretching ability is provided by a knit conductive fabric which is stretchable up to at least about 20% greater than the original conductive fabric dimension in a direction of stretch without loss of conductivity. A conductivity adhesive fills interstitial areas of the knit fabric and provides for adhering the electrode to the patient's skin.

Abstract: Bonds between a contact area of a circuit of a semiconductor and a conductor are formed by applying a rotating tool to an opposed surface of the conductor or to an intervening material superposed on it. The conductor may be laminated to one or more layers of insulant material and when that material is for example polyester, the bond may be formed without prior removal of the insulant from between the contact area and the conductor; it is displaced by the effect of the tool. The areas and conductors may be in an array and the tool be brought across the members of the array in succession.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protection of a substrate, e.g. an electrical contact. The apparatus comprises a support member and an encapsulant which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and preferably an elastic modulus of less than 10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2. The encapsulant and the substrate are pressed together so that the encapsulant is deformed into close and conforming contact with the substrate. Preferably at least part of the deformation is elastic deformation.

Abstract: A body implantable lead for the delivery of stimulation energy to a desired body site including a drug dispenser carried by the lead which retains a drug to be dispensed while allowing the dispensing of that drug at least adjacent the desired body stimulation site. The lead is provided with an electrode having a bore open to a drug storage chamber which contains an absorbent plug. The drug is loaded into the absorbent plug, prior to use, by soaking the electrode in a solution containing the drug.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protection of electrical contacts. The protection apparatus ensures that the electrical contacts are protected when they are otherwise located in an adverse environment. To this end, the protection apparatus includes an insulating gel that is characterized by a cone penetration value from approximately 150 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm); an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%; a maximum tensile strength of approximately 20 psi; and a cohesive strength greater than its adhesive strength. The protection apparatus further includes a first means to contain the gel, a second means to retain the gel within the first means and a force means which acts on the first means so that the gel is maintained in compressive contact with the electrical contacts and substantially encapsulates a conductive portion of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A shielded connector for a shielded electrical cable which reduces radio frequency and other electromagnetic interference. The shielded connector comprises a pair of opposed, interconnected shield members enclosing insulated conductors extending from the cable and a unitary outer housing enclosing the shield members. The shield members are electrically connected and bonded at opposite ends to a metallic connector housing and a shield layer extending from the cable. Adhesive is interposed between the outer housing and the shield members and cable. The shield members have neck portions that are connected to the shield layer in the cable.

Abstract: A method of preparing an improved medical electrode particularly adaptable to tape-like configurations for use in sensing and stimulation applications in which the electrode is applied to the skin. An essential electrode component comprises a mixture of a polymerized form of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or one of its salts with water and/or an alcohol. The mixture possesses electrically conductive properties, flexible properties and adhesive properties particularly lending itself to skin contact and adhesion.

Abstract: A serving dish having a heater, and a method for assembling the dish. An electric heater including a resistance element enclosed in a heat conducting and electrical insulating material is adhesively bonded against the bottom of a serving dish of ceramic or the like. Holes through the material covering the resistance element provide for electrical contact with the resistance element, and these holes are filled with solder. A bottom plate of stainless steel or other electrically conductive sheet is adhesively bonded over the heater, and the bottom plate is heated to melt the solder and cause the solder to fuse to the bottom plate. The entire bottom plate has its edges sealed by a silicone rubber sealant or the like to encapsulate the heater. The resulting dish has a bottom plate to give a neat appearance, the bottom acting as electrical contacts to energize the heater and heat the contents of the serving dish.

Abstract: To reduce the breakdown potential magnitude between the output tip surface of an ignition distributor rotor output segment and each of the output terminals of the distributor cap, the rotor output segment is made of a low thermally conductive material 0.1 mm to 1.00 mm thick, and a layer of a silicone dielectric material such as a silicone plate, viz., a plate including at least a sheet of silicone varnish-containing glass cloth, is secured to at least a portion of at least one of the top and bottom surface areas of the rotor output segment.

Abstract: An iontophoretic bioelectrode includes an enclosure having a bottom wall formed of a membrane through which ions may migrate when subjected to an electric field, and an upper wall joined to the bottom wall to define an interior compartment for holding an ion-containing solution. An electrode in the form of the male portion of a conventional clothing snap is mounted to the enclosure to communicate electrically with solution contained in the interior compartment. A needle receiving element is mounted in the upper wall of the enclosure. This element is in the form of a section of conduit having a receiving end, which is directed upwardly, and a blocking end which includes a platform for preventing a needle inserted into the receiving end from passing all the way through the conduit. A resilient plug is disposed in the receiving end of the conduit to prevent solution from escaping from the interior compartment.

Abstract: An insulating sheath for preinsulated ferrule type electrical connectors having the sheath partially surrounding the ferrule is disclosed. The sheath is a two layer laminate comprised of a layer of heat resistant polyamide bonded to a layer of tetrafluoroethylene film. The polyamide layer is against the ferrule with the tetrafluoroethylene layer being the outside of the sheath. When the connector is crimped onto wires, the polyamide layer and connector are encased by the tetrafluoroethylene layer. The connector insulated with the laminate has a minimum Limiting Oxygen Index value of 28.

Abstract: Electrode structures made from metallized bodies of a fibrous nature, for example from metallized felt, possess the advantage, deriving from their intrinsic stiffness, of requiring no internally fitted supporting structure. It is, however, difficult to attach the current lead-out tabs to an electrode structure of this type, because it is hightly susceptible to mechanical damage at the point of attachment. These difficulties are avoided, according to the present invention, when the edge of the electrode structure is reinforced, to a width of about 0.3 to about 1 cm, by means of an electrodeposited metal coating. If appropriate, the reinforcement of the edge can also be carried out simultaneously with the production, by electrodeposition, of the electrode structure. The current lead out-tab can be attached to the reinforced edge avoiding such difficulties.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrode construction of the type including a terminal arrangement and support structure for said terminal arrangement, said support structure adapted for the transcutaneous application of the electrode to a patient. The support structure may be fabricated from a layer of foam or microporous material, or plural layer employing a combination of both, or from a layer of conductive adhesive. The terminal arrangement may be of single terminal or multi-terminal design, and is provided by a conductive pattern printed on a semi-flexible plastic-like sheet, wherein said pattern is printed with a conductive ink of the type employing a conductive metal, such as silver, in a binder composition. The disclosure also contemplates novel structure for connection of the electrode to a lead wire, as well as several novel, overall designs for the construction of the electrode support means.

Abstract: A ball for playing a game, such as tennis, and having a plurality of unwoven electrical conductive networks which are formed by electrically conductive fibers and which extend at least partially on the outer surface of the ball. The ball is made by first needle punching an unwoven open mesh of electrically conductive fibers into the cloth cover of the ball, and then adhering the cover to the ball core so that the open mesh is positioned between the core and the cover.

Abstract: An anisotropically electroconductive sheet of a non-electroconductive elastomer and electroconductive wires which have a length substantially the thickness of the sheet. The electroconductive wires are oriented from each other and are formed into patterned wire groupings, which are in turn formed into patterns. The wires in the groupings are parallel in the directions of the sheet thickness, and the wires are spaced from each other in the wire groupings, and are thereby electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading solder preforms on to the pins of a multiple pin connector. A positioning plate has open sockets in the pattern of the pins of the connector to be loaded, the sockets being sized to receive a single solder preform in each one. A slidable retainer fits into a channel below the positioning plate to partially close the sockets and retain preforms therein. Loose preforms are contained in a dam attached to the top of the positioning plate and are shaken into the sockets on a vibrator table. The dam and excess preforms are removed and the positioning plate is covered by a cover plate to hold the preforms in place. The connector pins are then inserted through slots in the retainer, through the preforms and through holes in the cover plate. The retainer is removed, allowing the preforms to drop on the pins and the loaded connector is removed from the apparatus.