Composite electrode
View Patent ↗An electrode for applying electric fields to a patient includes a plurality of ceramic elements (e.g., ceramic discs) that are designed to be positioned against the patient's skin. Electrical connections are made to the ceramic elements (e.g., using a flex circuit). Temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors) are preferably provided at at least some of the ceramic elements to sense the temperature at the skin beneath the ceramic elements, so that appropriate action can be taken if an overtemperature condition is detected.
1. A composite electrode comprising:
a plurality of ceramic elements, each of the ceramic elements having (a) a lower surface configured to rest on a patient's body and (b) an upper surface with a conductive backing disposed thereon;
a first lead;
at least one electrical conductor configured to make a direct electrical connection between the upper surface of each of the ceramic elements and the first lead; and
a support structure configured to mechanically connect the plurality of ceramic elements during use, with the lower surface of each of the plurality of ceramic elements resting on the patient's body.
2. The composite electrode of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature beneath at least one of the ceramic elements.
3. The composite electrode of claim 1 , wherein the least one electrical conductor and the support structure are both implemented using a flex circuit.
4. The composite electrode of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ceramic elements comprises at least 4 ceramic elements.
5. The composite electrode of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of ceramic elements comprises at least 4 ceramic discs, each having a diameter between about 1.5 cm and about 2.5 cm and a capacitance of at least 20 nF, and
wherein the least one electrical conductor and the support structure are both implemented using a flex circuit.
6. The composite electrode of claim 5 , further comprising at least two thermistors configured to sense the temperature beneath at least two of the ceramic discs, respectively.
7. The composite electrode of claim 5 , further comprising a covering disposed above the ceramic elements and the support structure, the covering having an adhesive lower surface that is configured to hold the ceramic elements and the support structure against the patient's body.
8. The composite electrode of claim 7 , wherein the ceramic elements rest in a filler layer with an adhesive bottom and cutouts dimensioned to accept the ceramic elements.
9. The composite electrode of claim 8 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature beneath at least one of the ceramic elements.
10. The composite electrode of claim 9 , wherein the ceramic elements are disc-shaped and are silvered on their upper surface.
11. The composite electrode of claim 1 ,
wherein the plurality of ceramic elements consists of nine ceramic discs, each having a diameter between about 1.5 cm and about 2.5 cm and a capacitance of at least 20 nF,
wherein the least one electrical conductor and the support structure are both implemented using a flex circuit,
and wherein the composite electrode further comprises at least four thermistors configured to sense the temperature beneath at least four of the ceramic discs, respectively.
12. The composite electrode of claim 1 , wherein the direct electrical connection between the upper surface of each of the ceramic elements and the first lead is made using a flex circuit that is soldered to the conductive backing.
13. A composite electrode comprising:
at least four ceramic elements, each of the ceramic elements having (a) a lower surface configured to rest on a patient's body and (b) an upper surface with a conductive backing disposed thereon;
a first lead;
at least one electrical conductor configured to make a direct electrical connection between the upper surface of each of the ceramic elements and the first lead; and
a support structure configured to mechanically connect the ceramic elements during use, with the lower surface of each of the ceramic elements resting on the patient's body;
at least two temperature sensors configured to sense the temperature beneath at least two of the ceramic elements, respectively;
a layer of electrically conductive hydrogel disposed on the lower surface of each of the ceramic elements;
a covering disposed above the ceramic elements and the support structure, the covering having an adhesive lower surface that is configured to hold the ceramic elements and the support structure against the patient's body.
14. The composite electrode of claim 13 , further comprising a backing disposed beneath the ceramic elements, the support structure, and the covering, wherein the adhesive lower surface of the covering is easily removable from the backing.
15. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the temperature sensors comprise thermistors.
16. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the least one electrical conductor and the support structure are both implemented using a flex circuit.
17. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein there are 9 ceramic elements.
18. The composite electrode of claim 13 ,
wherein there are 9 ceramic elements that are each round and have a diameter between about 1.5 cm and about 2.5 cm and a capacitance of at least 20 nF, and
wherein the least one electrical conductor and the support structure are both implemented using a flex circuit, and
wherein there are at least four temperature sensors configured to sense the temperature beneath at least four of the ceramic elements, respectively.
19. The composite electrode of claim 18 , wherein the ceramic elements rest in a foam filler layer with an adhesive bottom and cutouts dimensioned to accept the ceramic elements.
20. The composite electrode of claim 18 , wherein the ceramic elements are disc-shaped and are silvered on their upper surface.
21. The composite electrode of claim 20 , wherein the ceramic elements have holes in their centers and the temperature sensors are positioned in the holes.
22. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic elements are disc-shaped and are silvered on their upper surface.
23. The composite electrode of claim 22 , wherein the ceramic elements have holes in their centers and the temperature sensors are positioned in the holes.
24. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic elements rest in a filler layer.
25. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic elements rest in a filler layer with an adhesive bottom and cutouts dimensioned to accept the ceramic elements.
26. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic elements rest in a foam filler layer with an adhesive bottom and cutouts dimensioned to accept the ceramic elements.
27. The composite electrode of claim 13 , wherein the direct electrical connection between the upper surface of each of the ceramic elements and the first lead is made using a flex circuit that is soldered to the conductive backing.